He could have so easily been sitting at home as a St Mirren player given Jack Ross returned to one of his favourite transfer wells on Deadline Day.
But Hibs fans will be delighted Scott Allan's Saints swap deal fell through as he ran the show against Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup.
The proposed move, also involving winger Drey Wright, was floated in order to secure Jamie McGrath's signature in the other direction.
But the transfer clock expired before all the required paperwork could be completed with playmaker Allan back at the club's training centre in Tranent the following morning.
It's just as well – because the former Celtic man is now proving his worth in spades with another trademark through ball assist and a goal.
The club were patient with him as he worked through a heart issue called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, taking five months out of first-team action before being loaned to Inverness to build his match fitness back up.
This season his appearances remain short but sweet with three assists to his name in only 188 minutes of domestic football.
And Allan also netted his first goal since his big return in Thursday night's roaring 3-1 success at Tannadice.
Indeed, it took him just three minutes to split the Tangerines defence and set up Joe Newell's opener before he then added the second on 22 minutes.
Martin Boyle's penalty made it three before half-time although Peter Pawlett would grab a goal back for United.
But the damage inflicted by Allan was irreversible and enough to send the Hibees to Hampden, where they'll meet champions Rangers in the semi-finals.
