The taste of victory was sweet for Aberdeen and manager Derek McInnes following their hard-fought 1-0 win at St Johnstone on Thursday, but for Tommie Hoban it was undoubtedly the sweetest of all.
The 26 year-old put 18 months of misery following a second career-threatening knee injury while on loan at the Dons behind him as he made his comeback at McDiarmid Park.
A clean sheet, 90 priceless minutes under his belt and a victory made it a perfect return to action for the former Watford defender, who has joined the Dons on a short-term deal until January.
He said: “That was my first game since February 2019. So what’s that? 18 or 19 months, something like that.
“So it was great to be back out there, but I’m very tired now. It’s been a very tough road back. Three months ago I had no idea if I even was going to get back to playing football.
“The phone was quiet, I didn’t have too many opportunities and being out so long you start to wonder if I am going to get back.
“I still wasn’t really feeling great fitness-wise, but Aberdeen gave me the opportunity to come up here and I can’t thank them enough.
“The physio team have got me fit and I’m delighted to get back out on the pitch and to get the three points.”
Hoban’s joy at returning to duty is understandable given he was considering whether he should hang up his boots.
But Hoban is no quitter. What’s more, he is determined to enjoy every day he gets the chance to play.
He said: “I don’t know. I was starting to think about other options and a post-football career. I was thinking about studying.
“It’s something we are all going to have to face at some stage. But I think it’s something that has helped me grow as a person. This challenge has prepared me for the time when football comes to an end.
‘But I’m hoping it doesn’t end just yet. I’m delighted to be back and hopefully I kick on and become injury free and have a great season with Aberdeen.”
The absence of three central defenders at the club gave Hoban his chance earlier than he anticipated, but the defender has little time to reflect on his return as he gears up for his second game in three days when Livingston visit Pittodrie tomorrow.
He said: “It wasn’t until Wednesday that I knew I was in the team. I got myself ready, got myself focused.
“I’ve played a lot of games, but my last was around 18 months ago so I had to remember how to do it and get back out there.
“I was nervous, but I was also excited because three months ago I literally didn’t know if I was going to be back playing. So I just tried to enjoy it as best I could.
“That’s what I am going to do for every game now because, when you’ve had that feeling that it may be over, it makes you appreciate it more.
“The gaffer has said our season probably started against St Johnstone and our goal now is to get nine points going into the international break.
‘We have got three points on the board and we will enjoy it, but then we will get preparing for Sunday.”
