HOBAN FOR BUSINESS

Tom reveals fitness return was a DIY cash job

- GORDON PARKS

TOMMIE HOBAN admits some faith healing and allowing his heart to rule his head secured a career lifeline at Aberdeen.

The 26-year-old has battled back from two knee injuries which almost bust the bank as he dipped into his savings to ensure a recovery now paying dividends with the Dons.

After suffering the double whammy of a second lengthy spell on the sidelines due to damage during a loan spell at Pittodrie from Watford last year, Hoban insists paying for his own rehab is proving to be worth every penny.

He said: “It was very tough, I’ve had a lot of injuries in the past but doing the rehab without a club is hard.

“It was more challenging than before, especially as I had to have a second operation around one year ago.

“The knee wasn’t right and to not have a team was tough as well.

“There were a lot of long days in the gym, there were no teammates, I just went to Virgin Active and went to see a physio on my own twice a week and followed a programme.

“It was very tough, I wasn’t trying to keep belief in myself with an end goal in mind.