Kevin Thomson hopes to inspire Hibs into League Cup final
Kevin Thomson aims to grasp an unexpected second chance to help Hibernian to a League Cup final after renewing his association with his boyhood club.
The 31-year-old is aiming to open his third spell at Easter Road by helping Hibs overcome St Johnstone in the last four at Tynecastle on Saturday.
Thomson first left the club before Hibs did exactly that in 2007 en route to lifting the trophy, signing for Rangers days before the semi-final against the Saints. Thomson, who rejoined Hibs after leaving Dundee, said: It's something I remember well, the fact I moved just before the team got to the final that year.
The fact we are playing the same team at the same venue, is it fate? I don't believe in that, but I'm here now and given an opportunity I will certainly take it with two hands.
I am fit and have trained every day since I came here.''
Thomson's exit from Dundee came as a surprise given he was club captain, but he had a stop-start season with injury and he and manager Paul Hartley came to a mutual decision.
I spoke to the manager and we had a long chat that I'd like to think will remain private, and we decided I was going to move on,'' the former Rangers and Middlesbrough player said.
They came up with a package for me to move on.It was a surprise to come back here so quickly. It was just a phonecall after things had been pretty much agreed with Dundee.
I wasn't sure if I was going to have to sit in the house for a few weeks or months. I was going into the unknown and the opportunity arose really quickly.
As soon as I was given the opportunity, there was only one place I wanted to come.
I had other offers as well, as soon as the news broke that I was leaving Dundee there were other people who fancied taking me there, but I couldn't pass this offer up.''
Thomson's second exit from Hibs came just after one of the club's lowest ebbs, when he was released by Terry Butcher following their relegation in 2014. But he has discovered a far happier place following Alan Stubbs' 18 months in charge.
The only way I can describe it is like being back in the (Tony) Mowbray era,'' said Thomson, who will also have a flexible coaching role at Hibs.
There is a real young changing room, a lot of good players, a real good manager and coaching staff, and there's a real buzz about the place.
It's a breath of fresh air to be back among the camaraderie of the boys. Obviously I'm the OAP of the changing room, but it's nice the boys still respect me and if I can play some part I'll be over the moon.''