NEIL Lennon has had to have candid talks with Dylan McGeouch to ensure he did not fritter away a promising career, with the Hibernian head coach admitting he feared the injury woes which have hampered the mercurial playmaker were partly psychological.
Lennon spotted McGeouch’s natural talent before most, handing the player his debut as a fresh-faced youngster against Motherwell when he was Celtic manager in November 2011. On just his second appearance for the Glasgow giants he scored a remarkable solo goal against St Mirren which underlined his potential, surging from his own half, powerfully bursting beyond challenges before coolly slotting the ball into the net.
However, fitness concerns have marred McGeouch’s career with a series of pelvic, groin, hamstring and ankle issues and he is yet to start more than 24 games in a single season.
But, having consulted a specialist in the summer, the 24-year-old, who joined Hibs from Celtic in 2014, has looked fitter, stronger and been a stand-out performer in a fine side. Lennon has been delighted and relieved, given his almost paternal desperation to see McGeouch beat his demons and shine.
“I did fear he wouldn’t reach his potential,” said Lennon. “There were times here at Hibs when I had him in and had a few stern words. I didn’t want the game leaving him behind, because he is too good a player for that to happen.
“He is more robust now, training every day and training intensely. He wasn’t doing that last season.
“He went to see a specialist to get to the bottom of the issue and has not missed a day’s training. whereas before he would maybe train once or twice a week or, at times, come off in the middle of a session feeling something.
“I was worried it was psychological more than physical. I’m not saying he was doing it deliberately but he has got to the bottom of it now and we are seeing the best of him.”
There was a collective intake of breath from the supporters at Easter Road during their 2-1 win over Dundee last weekend when McGeouch fell to the turf clutching his hamstring. “Not again”, being the overriding fear.
But, the Hibs boss was not concerned.
“I didn’t feel that,” said Lennon, fresh from picking up Premiership manager of the month for October. “In the past I’d have been thinking ‘not again’. This time I’m thinking it was probably just fatigue – and it turns out that’s the case.
“He has not been flagging things up in training or in games. I’m not saying he wasn’t genuinely injured before, I think it just might have been psychological. This time, he just knew it wasn’t right and I trust him on that. That’s another thing, he has gained my trust which he probably didn’t have that last year. He has done that through his own hard work and performances.”
With a new-found belief in his body, McGeouch has become the dynamic driving force that first burst on to the scene at Celtic. Dove-tailing beautifully with Scotland star John McGinn, Lennon sees no reason why their partnership should not extend to the international scene.
“He has always had the talent and now he is making the most of it,” Lennon said. “With the form he is in, he is unlucky not to have been given a shout for Scotland.”
Given his evident admiration for the player, it is little surprise Lennon is talking about a contract extension as McGeouch’s current deal expires at the end of this campaign.
“That’s something that is high on the agenda and we will be talking to him,” Lennon said. “It’s in the pipeline.”
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