Hibs draw too big for Danny Swanson

Danny Swanson admits Hibernian were the only club he would have left St Johnstone for as he bids to fulfil a lifetime ambition and realise his late friend's wishes.

The 30-year-old ended his Saints career on Wednesday by setting up the winning goal against Hearts before serving a suspension in Sunday's visit of Rangers.

The midfielder has enjoyed the best season of his career under Tommy Wright, scoring 15 goals, but he could not turn down his boyhood heroes again.

The former Dundee United, Peterborough and Coventry player said: I was a bit sad in the changing room with the boys but the fans were great with me considering I have signed for another team.

It's been a big decision for me because I have enjoyed my football here but the only pull I had was because it was Hibs. That was the only team I would have gone to.

A big factor was I lost my friend on Hogmanay, he was always going on at me to sign for Hibs. That had a big part to play. My mate Shaun Woodburn, he died on Hogmanay at my dad's pub. It was a hard, hard time. I want to play for him.

I have a great relationship with the manager here but ever since I was a wee boy I wanted to play for Hibs. I turned them down a couple of times to play in England but I always felt I was destined to end up there and thankfully it has happened.''

Swanson might have been at Easter Road earlier but Neil Lennon's predecessor turned down the chance to sign him when he returned to Scotland, leaving him to sign for city rivals Hearts instead.

Swanson, who had an unhappy six-month spell at Tynecastle, said: I texted Alan Stubbs before I signed for Hearts, and I phoned Tommy Wright before I signed for Hearts to try to get something sorted, but it never happened.

And even though I was excited to sign for Hearts, I tried to get to Hibs, and Alan Stubbs said no.''