I'M NOT HANLON MY EXIT VERY WELL

Paul knows it's going to be emotional in Leith

- CRAIG SWAN

PAUL HANLON has lived the boyhood dream at Hibs for 16 years. 

But it hurts the departing Easter Road stalwart that it’s ending this way.

And he doesn’t envisage a route back. Even after boss Nick Montgomery was axed.

After more than a decade and-a-half as a top-team player for Hibs, Hanlon will play his final game on home soil tonight.

Emotions will be mixed. Deep pride at the service he’s given and pure pain at how it’s concluding.

Hanlon will savour the special feeling in Leith for one last time having ticked every box and explained: “As a 14-year-old, or even younger, I dreamt about playing for Hibs, winning the Scottish Cup, scoring against Hearts.

“That was me as a wee Hibs fan. I’ve managed to do all that and more, racking up the appearances that I have done.

“There’s disappointment that I ’m leaving, that it’s coming to an end because I feel I have a bit to offer.

“It’ll be emotional leaving, the last game will be difficult. But, at the end of the day, I’ve done my family proud in terms of being Hibs fans.”

Of course, Hanlon would have preferred the scenario to be better. A bottom-six encounter in a disappointing season which has seen another two managers fired isn’t the fairytale finale.

It’s a source of anguish as he said: “Listen, you want to be successful at any time, regardless of whether you are staying or moving on.