Darren McGregor revealed he has taken on a mentor role with Kevin Nisbet after losing his father at a similar age.
The Hibs striker’s dad passed away from liver cancer just days before their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hearts, during which the ex-Dunfermline man missed an extra-time penalty.
Nisbet however, remained focused on football and took to the pitch for Jack Ross ’ side’s trip to Aberdeen less than a week later.
Easter Road teammate McGregor has been key in helping him through a tough time, having gone through similar when he was around Nisbet’s age.
“The only reason I felt I could speak with him openly was because I suffered something similar at the start of my career,” he said.
“I was 24 when my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer so I could see a lot of parallels, with Nizzy being 23.
“I know how he must be feeling. My dad had a bit of back pain and like a lot of men of that generation, he put off going to the doctor to get it seen to.
“By the time he went in, the tumour in his lung branched into his back – that’s why he was getting the pain.
“By then it was too late. He was a lot older than a lot of dads and I always felt I wouldn’t have him later in life.
“But I never expected that to happen when I was so young.
“With Nizzy’s character traits and the support he has around him, he will get through this.
“Sometimes as young men we may mask our feelings. But he sees Hibs as a sanctuary, somewhere he can forget about his troubles.
“So I just said to him: ‘Look, I don’t want to make a big song and dance but I know how you’ll be feeling so I’ll be here if you need to talk.’
“I didn’t want to put any pressure on. I just wanted to let him know that I’d experienced it and I’ll be there for him.
“I’m sure every other guy in the dressing-room is the same. It’s just about being a human being and recognising when someone is going through a tough time after trauma in their life.
“You have to let them know you’re there. Especially when you get older, there’s a duty of care to some of the younger players.
“I remember what it was like at 24 and not being sure where to turn.
“As long as he knows the support is there, you don’t need to shove it down anyone’s throat.
“The reason I reached out is because I never really had that. Maybe I never looked for it.
“I was always a guarded person. I tended to keep my emotions quite close and, with hindsight, that maybe hurt me by not dealing with it.
“Credit to Nizzy for the way he has acted throughout and how mature he has been. It has been remarkable.”
