Cadden is back in the swing and ready to help Hibs’ push for top six
Hibs right-back Chris Cadden feels like he is now “back in the swing of things” after returning recently following a nine-month lay-off.
The 27-year-old has made five appearances, including two starts, since coming back into contention last month after being sidelined with an Achilles injury he sustained in the last match of last season. Cadden has relished his return to action and is particularly encouraged by the fact he was able to handle a run of three fixtures in less than a week before the international break in which he started two and came on as a first-half sub in the other.
“It has been really good since I have come back,” the former Motherwell player said. “I have just been trying to enjoy it as much as I can, to be honest. You forget how much you miss football when you are out, you miss that Saturday buzz and all the games so it has been brilliant to get back in the swing of things.
“It has been good, I have been trying to do the best I can. There is always going to be that transitional period when you are out for nine months, but I think I have done alright and given a good account of myself. The body is feeling good and ready to go. I have had three good games before the international break. Physically I can’t complain, the medical staff and physio staff have been great with me and it is a real credit to them that I have been able to play three games back to back in such a short space of time.”
Fellow right-back Lewis Miller could be back in contention after a minor injury of his own for today’s trip to title-chasing Rangers, but Cadden will be hoping the fact he helped the Hibees to a 3-0 home win over Livingston in his last outing will help him keep his place. The Edinburgh side are heading to Ibrox looking to enhance their bid for a topsix place. They are currently two points ahead of seventhplaced Dundee who have a game in hand.
“Hibs should be in the top six, we all know that,” said Cadden. “These next three games [before the split] are massive for us, we know how big they are. As a squad we are going to do our best to get as many points as possible to make sure we are in the top six. In terms of Saturday, first and foremost we need to go in with belief, if you go there without that then there is no point. We need to be brave, get on the ball, make passes forward and make sure we play our style of play. If we do that, we know we have got the players to go and get a result.”
Hibs boss Nick Montgomery says his team need to take inspiration from Motherwell and Benfica if they are to get a positive result against Rangers. The Ibrox outfit lost to both the Steel men and portuguese this month and Hibs, who have not even scored a goal against Rangers this season, know it will be a tough challenge.
“Obviously it can be done,” said Montgomery. "Because Motherwell have done it. Benfica also did it, although they’re a real powerhouse. We know Ibrox is a really hostile environment. You have to believe you can get a result every week. But we understand how tough a task it will be. Our turnaround in form has coincided with the boys coming from back from international duty during January – and integrating new players who arrived in the January window. We’ve built some momentum and we’re looking to carry it on."