It has been revealed today that young Hibs defender Jonathan Baillie has been forced to retire from the game through injury, aged just 21.
Baillie broke into the first team at the same time as Thomson, Brown, Riordan, O'Connor etc, coming to the fore on his debut in a 2-1 win over Celtic at Easter Road in the CIS Cup Quarter Final in 2004.
Jonathan was awarded man of the match in a game he was marking Henrik Larsson in his first team debut.
The young defender has been battling a back injury for close on three years, but has decided to take the agonising decision to hang up his boots at 21-years-old.
Hibs boss John Collins today heaped praise on the brave young defender by saying:
"It's a shame but football can be a cruel game.
"We all take it for granted, being fit and healthy, coming in to training every day, running about and playing football. But as the boys were doing that Jonathan was coming in and heading for the treatment room.
"Even so he always had a smile on his face which is a tough thing to do at a football club when you are injured. Despite the pain he was going through there was never a word of complaint. Being injured is depressing but Jonathan was incredible, a terrific character who somehow managed to keep himself chipper."
The Hibs gaffer also added:
"I had a long chat with him a few months ago. He's a bright boy and I am sure he will do well in whatever field he chooses."
Jonathan revealed that he will now start a career in sports journalism.
Sad news.
Good luck with everything in the future Jonathan from all of us here at www.Hibernian-Mad.co.uk
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