Sean is Hibee to be back
Sean Mackie could have taken the huff with Hibs after they freed him as a kid.
But when they were battling arch rivals Hearts for his signature three years later the youngster admits the lure of a return was too great to ignore.
Mackie, 20, was discarded by the Easter Road club for being too small at 14.
But after maturing at Raith Rovers the Hibees actually paid money to get him back and now he’s part of Neil Lennon’s first team.
Left-back Mackie admits he jumped at the chance to prove himself again.
He said: “I started out at Hibs but was released. They said I wasn’t big or tall enough but I was only 14 so I went to Raith Rovers and grew up!
“When I left Hibs I was devastated. I didn’t know what to do or where to go.
“But I loved my first training session with Raith and I did well there so I signed for them.
“It was only six months after that when I was 17 and the gaffer Ray McKinnon said both Hibs and Hearts were looking at me.
“I wasn’t put off returning to Hibs, just because they’d previously let me go – and when I got back there my mind was made up straight away.
“Hibs are a massive club and I thought I could better my career and improve as a player here.
“It’s credit to myself that, after a knock like that at 14, I’ve managed to come back and do well.”
Mackie is thriving under Lennon but admits starting rival Lewis Stevenson has been a huge help as well.
He added: “To get into the team, I have to displace a legend in Lewis.
“It’s not easy. Lewy’s good when I get a chance, he gives me real encouragement.
“With his experience, he helps me every day.”