Hibs: Garry O'Connor's homecoming, ten years on

The powerfully-built hitman has already pulled on a green-and-white shirt since his shock return to Hibs, playing against Berwick Rangers, Livingston and East Fife.

However, it won't be until he lines up in the tunnel ready to take on his former club that the 28-year-old will finally feel he's home.

He said: "It's going to be an emotional day for my family and me.

"As you get older and have played on the stages I have, you don't think you get affected by nerves, but I will definitely feel something, a little bit of tension. But I am looking forward to it and I simply can't wait for it to happen."

Much has changed both on and off the field since O'Connor got the last three minutes in a 2-2 draw against Kilmarnock, his home debut seeing him take his place alongside the likes of David Zitelli, Ulrik Laursen, Ulises de la Cruz, Paco Luna and Franck Sauzee, the striker having found his way back to Leith via Lokomotiv Moscow, Birmingham City and Barnsley.

There was, of course, the "golden generation" of Derek Riordan, Scott Brown, Steven Whittaker, Kevin Thomson, Steven Fletcher and himself, who, like their predecessors are all long gone, only O'Connor and Ivan Sproule, himself back for a second spell at Hibs, remaining from the 28-year-old's last appearance at Easter Road, the 7-0 demolition of Livingston in February 2006.

The surroundings, too, have changed, the redevelopment of Easter Road completed by the building of the new 6400 capacity East Stand, while O'Connor and Sproule have returned to find a state-of-the-art training centre rather than the daily scramble to find a public park.

One thing, though, hasn't altered in the slightest. According to O'Connor, that's the pull of playing for Hibs. He said: "I'd been at Hibs since I was a kid, I'd probably spent ten years growing up and coming up through the ranks.

"I can barely remember going onto the pitch that day ten years ago but it is an awesome time as a kid to get your chance.

"You think you have just about made it but, of course, you soon realise that's only the beginning." Having become a hero to the Hibs fans with his goals first time around, O'Connor is well aware of the dangers of returning to the club where he enjoyed so much success, but he insists he is well equipped to handle the expectation which will fall on his broad shoulders.

He said: "I know what the fans will be looking for. I was part of a successful team before I left, scoring goals which got me that big-money move to Moscow. I may not meet their expectations right away but I have targets in my head which I want to hit.

"I am coming back a much more mature player. I have played in the English Premier League, the Championship, the Russian Premier League, on the international stage, in the Champions League and in cup finals. I've played in them all and that can only be of benefit to Hibs.

"Yes, there's been big changes on all fronts since I went to Moscow, all those guys were Hibs legends. The likes of big Franck, David Zitelli, Craig Brewster, Paco Luna and Mixu Paatelainen helped me no end and now I am one of the senior pros and, to be honest, I am enjoying it, trying to help the youngsters who are here now."

A product of Hibs' renowned youth system, O'Connor fully appreciates the success of those he played with in the past often leads to unfair comparisons being made, as each promising youngster finds himself measured against what has gone before.

But, he insisted, boss Colin Calderwood's young squad contains many who, in his estimation, have a genuine chance to making a name for themselves in future, last weekend's starting line-up including seven home-grown players with the likes of Scott Smith, David Crawford, Lewis Horner and Scott Taggart starting to push for a place alongside Paul Hanlon, David Wotherspoon and Callum Booth. He said: "I train with them every day. I see them working hard, giving their all and being really professional.

"If they keep doing what they are doing then some of them can go on to bigger things. It's for the gaffer to teach these young players and to try to get the best out of them. He has a squad here he has to work with but he is fantastic with them, his coaching ability is great and we want to keep him here as long as possible.

"It's amazing how the club has changed since I left for Moscow, we have the training ground, the new stand which makes the stadium. We just need a successful team on the pitch and I am sure we can get that.

"Last season was disappointing for everyone but, if the gaffer can add a couple of more experienced ones, then I'm quite certain we'll be in the top six.

"We've had meetings about it and we want to push as high as we can. And I am more than happy to help the youngsters, pointing out wee things to them on the training ground and trying to use the experience I have picked up."

To that end, O'Connor believes the return of Sproule will also prove to be of immense benefit – and just not on the pitch. He said: "When Ivan arrived when Tony Mowbray was manager, it was a case of Ivan who? No-one knew anything about him but he has certainly matured as a player.

"He tended to run with his head down back then but now the head is up, looking to put players in. He can also play in midfield and up front which is a handy option to have but he's just a fantastic guy to have about the place.

"He's always joking, he keeps things going and, if anything, he's even faster now."

Tomorrow will be Hibs only home match before Celtic arrive to kick off the new SPL season next Sunday and. O'Connor insisted, Championship outfit Barnsley, club he knows well, will provide Calderwood's players with a stiff test.

He said: "I think fans up here tend to under-estimate the strength in depth of the Championship. It's a very tough league, you just need to have a glance at the teams in it to realise how hard it is.

"Barnsley are a decent side, last season they were only three points off the play-off places at Christmas but blew up a bit thereafter. They have some fantastic players, they pass the ball about at a good tempo and we'll have to be at our best.

"It's just one of those things football throws up that my first game back at Easter Road will be against my last club so I'm looking forward to seeing all the boys again, I got on well with them. They are just back from a training camp in Spain and I'm sure the one thing they won't want to see is my name on the scoresheet.

"We'll see about that, but I'm looking to get a full 90 minutes under my belt building towards the Celtic game."

Admission to tomorrow's match is 10 (adults), 5 (concessions).

"You think you have just about made it but, of course, you soon realise that's only the beginning." Having become a hero to the Hibs fans with his goals first time around, O'Connor is well aware of the dangers of returning to the club where he enjoyed so much success, but he insists he is well equipped to handle the expectation which will fall on his broad shoulders.

He said: "I know what the fans will be looking for. I was part of a successful team before I left, scoring goals which got me that big-money move to Moscow. I may not meet their expectations right away but I have targets in my head which I want to hit.

"I am coming back a much more mature player. I have played in the English Premier League, the Championship, the Russian Premier League, on the international stage, in the Champions League and in cup finals. I've played in them all and that can only be of benefit to Hibs.

"Yes, there's been big changes on all fronts since I went to Moscow, all those guys were Hibs legends. The likes of big Franck, David Zitelli, Craig Brewster, Paco Luna and Mixu Paatelainen helped me no end and now I am one of the senior pros and, to be honest, I am enjoying it, trying to help the youngsters who are here now."

A product of Hibs' renowned youth system, O'Connor fully appreciates the success of those he played with in the past often leads to unfair comparisons being made, as each promising youngster finds himself measured against what has gone before.

But, he insisted, boss Colin Calderwood's young squad contains many who, in his estimation, have a genuine chance to making a name for themselves in future, last weekend's starting line-up including seven home-grown players with the likes of Scott Smith, David Crawford, Lewis Horner and Scott Taggart starting to push for a place alongside Paul Hanlon, David Wotherspoon and Callum Booth. He said: "I train with them every day. I see them working hard, giving their all and being really professional.

"If they keep doing what they are doing then some of them can go on to bigger things. It's for the gaffer to teach these young players and to try to get the best out of them. He has a squad here he has to work with but he is fantastic with them, his coaching ability is great and we want to keep him here as long as possible.

"It's amazing how the club has changed since I left for Moscow, we have the training ground, the new stand which makes the stadium. We just need a successful team on the pitch and I am sure we can get that.

"Last season was disappointing for everyone but, if the gaffer can add a couple of more experienced ones, then I'm quite certain we'll be in the top six.

"We've had meetings about it and we want to push as high as we can. And I am more than happy to help the youngsters, pointing out wee things to them on the training ground and trying to use the experience I have picked up."

To that end, O'Connor believes the return of Sproule will also prove to be of immense benefit - and just not on the pitch. He said: "When Ivan arrived when Tony Mowbray was manager, it was a case of Ivan who? No-one knew anything about him but he has certainly matured as a player.

"He tended to run with his head down back then but now the head is up, looking to put players in. He can also play in midfield and up front which is a handy option to have but he's just a fantastic guy to have about the place.

"He's always joking, he keeps things going and, if anything, he's even faster now."

Tomorrow will be Hibs only home match before Celtic arrive to kick off the new SPL season next Sunday and. O'Connor insisted, Championship outfit Barnsley, club he knows well, will provide Calderwood's players with a stiff test.

He said: "I think fans up here tend to under-estimate the strength in depth of the Championship. It's a very tough league, you just need to have a glance at the teams in it to realise how hard it is.

"Barnsley are a decent side, last season they were only three points off the play-off places at Christmas but blew up a bit thereafter. They have some fantastic players, they pass the ball about at a good tempo and we'll have to be at our best.

"It's just one of those things football throws up that my first game back at Easter Road will be against my last club so I'm looking forward to seeing all the boys again, I got on well with them. They are just back from a training camp in Spain and I'm sure the one thing they won't want to see is my name on the scoresheet.

"We'll see about that, but I'm looking to get a full 90 minutes under my belt building towards the Celtic game."

Admission to tomorrow's match is 10 (adults), 5 (concessions).