Big teario to leith legends
CHRIS CADDEN insists tears will be shed as Hibs legends Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson prepare to bid farewell.
The Leith outfit announced last Tuesday that the Scottish Cupwinning pair – who have amassed over 1100 appearances between them for the Hibees –will not have their contracts renewed this summer.
Stevenson – who also lifted the League Cup in 2007 – has an association with the club that stretches back over two decades, while Hanlon made his first-team debut in 2008.
Cadden has only shared a dressing room with the pair since 2021 but that has been enough time to appreciate their influence on and off the pitch.
And as the farewell tour begins across the last three games, starting with tomorrow’s visit of Aberdeen, Cadden reckons fans and team-mates will struggle to hold back tears.
He said: “It will be more emotional when we’re right at the end of the season and it’s the last time they’ll play for Hibs.
“We have the Player of the Year awards after the last game of the season against Livingston too.
“I’ll be crying probably – I don’t know about them!
“They won’t want to be the centre of attention, they prefer to keep out of the limelight.
“They are more about keeping the head down and working hard – that’s why they have done so well in their careers. They’re both humble and don’t want a fuss made of them.
“There should be a massive fuss but they’d prefer not to have that and just spend time with their families.”
Hanlon and Stevenson are gentlemen away from the pitch, with the latter often resorting to self-deprecating humour when discussing his career at Hibs.
But Cadden admits club captain Hanlon has not been shy in dishing out the hairdryer treatment at times. He added: “I have had a few bollockings from Paul at times, he’ll let you know if there’s something he’s got to say.
“I’ve not had it so much with Lewis because he’s the other side of the pitch but the pair of them have been huge on standards.
“That’s every single day. They are leaders and have been brilliant, I can’t underestimate how big they have been for me.
“It’s going to be tough but there are good people in the dressing room, the likes of Joe Newell, Jordan Obita and others.
“I am one of the senior ones now too, so we all have to play our part in it.”