It’s good to talk. Kevin has Darren ready to help when required
Darren Mcgregor may not have made a big contribution on the field for Hibs this season. But his influence off it has been immense.
The 35- yearo l d defender signed a four-year contract extension last year and is committed to the Easter Road side until 2023.
It was part of the deal that he, along with team- mate David Gray, would help younger players at the club and eventually join the backroom staff.
However, Mcgregor didn’t imagine he would have to support a rising star in the way he has over the last few weeks – but he is delighted to do so.
Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet has gone through a traumatic time following the loss of his father, Thomas, to liver cancer.
The 23-year-old’s dad passed away just days before he lined-up in the Scottish Cup semi- final against Hearts at Hampden Park.
Darren Mcgregor doesn’t pretend to have all the answers to a situation that is so raw, but he does understand some of the emotions that come with losing a loved one.
He went through a similar experience earlier in his career, and felt he could talk freely to his team-mate.
He said: “I was 24 and had just joined St Mirren when my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. So I can see a lot of parallels. I know how Kevin must be feeling.
“Sometimes, as young men, we do maybe mask our feelings. But Kevin sees Hibs as his sanctuary, somewhere he can come and forget about his troubles.
“I just said to him: ‘Look, I don’t want to make a big song and dance about it, but I know what you are feeling now and how you will be feeling in the months to come. So I will be here for you if you need to talk’.
“I just wanted to let him know that I have suffered something similar, and if he needs me, I will be here.
“I am pretty sure that every other guy in that dressingroom will be the same.
“I have to give credit to Nizzy for the way he has acted and how
mature he has been. It has been really remarkable.”
Mcgregor admits he could have done with someone to talk to when he lost his father, Ian.
He went on: “I think the reason I have reached out is because
I never really had that. “I maybe never looked for it. I was always quite a guarded person, even growing up.
“I tended to keep my emotions quite close to me and maybe, with hindsight, that did hurt me by not dealing with it.
“I would never force Nizzy to talk. I just wanted to let him know that I was here if he wants to.” With Ryan Porteous being away with Scotland, Mcgregor is ready to step into the Hibs defence for today’s
Betfred Cup tie against Dundee.
It will be only his fourth outing of the season. He said: “It has been difficult not playing.
“When you get to my age, you want to play as much as you can.
“I have been training every day, and playing in reserve games. “We have a really thorough strengthand-conditioning coach, who makes sure you stay topped up. So I feel fully fit, and look forward to every game I get to play.
“I think you appreciate it more the older you get, just pulling on that jersey.
“It means the world to me, and if these are the games I get to play in, then so be it.”
Mcgregor has no regrets about committing the rest of his career to Hibs.
He went on: “The opportunity that was given to us a year- and- a- half ago was unbelievable.
“We are probably one of the first clubs in Scottish football to offer contracts like that, and we were very thankful and grateful for the responsibilities that go with that.
“But we also truly feel that, as footballers, we still have a lot to give.”