LEWIS Stevenson is the last man standing from the day Hamilton Accies sent Hibernian into the Championship for three long years.
For the supporter who happens to get a game every week, it was the worst day of his career by distance.
Apart from his professional pride, what hurt him most was the disappointing stares from the folk in the street as Hibs found themselves out of the Premiership and facing an uncertain future.
Hamilton return to Easter Road today for the first time since their play-off win in 2014 and Stevenson is happy to report his beloved club is a million miles from the one which managed to get itself relegated.
He said: “That was a horrible day and one we all want to forget, and this seems like a much more positive place to be now. It’s very different circumstances this time, and a lot has changed - for both clubs - but we want to get a win.
“It actually feels like a totally different club. Everyone is pulling in the right direction; the fans are with us and long may that continue. Hamilton will come here with a point to prove after a good win last week, they are an established top-flight team and will think they can come and win here.
“You can see by the season tickets sales how positive the feeling is. They are the best they’ve been in the time I’ve been here, even when we were finishing third and fourth.
"It is a great place to play right now and, although some people might say it doesn’t make a difference, it is much easier to play in front of fans that are willing you to win and have that positivity. Our form at Easter Road has been a lot better and that’s a big part of it.
“It was coming out in the paper that everyone was getting released so, of course, it goes through your mind. Thankfully I managed to stick around a bit longer! I’m glad I did that.”
Stevenson could have left back then. However, he felt a responsibility to stick around for the people who he felt let down and weren’t shy of hiding their disappointment.
He said: “It wasn’t so much during games, it was when you were out doing your shopping. And it wouldn’t be what they said, it would be the look someone would give you. I can take it from opposing fans - that is almost a boost - but when you get it from your own fans, it hurts.
“It’s the worst feeling you can get, when your own fans are disappointed in you. But that’s made me stronger, more resilient and I’m sure the same people that though negatively back them . . . hopefully, I’ve turned a few around.
“After being relegated, there was a part of me that - if I hadn’t helped to get the club back - then I hadn’t done my job. I’m glad I did that but it’s only half a job done, we want to establish Hibs back challenging at the top end of the table.”
Last Saturday’s win at Ibrox was massive for the club but it would be very Hibs, even this version, if seven days later they lost at home to the Accies.
Stevenson said: “In the past, when we’ve not being doing as well, we’ve been able to raise ourselves against the so-called bigger teams like Rangers and Celtic and Hearts. But you need to keep winning week-in, week-out. You can’t win at Ibrox then get beat the next week.
“A run of 10 games, picking up as many points as possible, will be the testament to where we are. You can’t judge anything yet. Once we’ve played everyone once we’ll have a good reading.”
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