Ewan Henderson can be Hibs star but must step it up to avoid my nearly man tag - Tam McManus

Tam McManus - the nearly man.

It's a tag which has sat with me throughout my playing career and I only have myself to blame for not shaking it off. A kid who was top scorer for Hibs in one campaign but didn't sustain it, had I followed that up with another season of goals then I'd have flown far higher - but I didn't.

The truth was I was never fit enough, I couldn't play 90 minutes and it all caught up with me. Every close-season I would get a training programme for the time off but I stuck it in a drawer and went on holiday.I hated running, I'd do nothing and then the week before we were due back to training I'd run a lap of a public park and believe that would do me. Unfulfilled potential and a huge regret. I coach kids at Braidhurst High School and it's the boys with the best attitudes rather than ability who I back to make it. It's mental but true.

It's why I hate to see talent not reach the heights it merits, and why I've been delighted by the recent impact at Hibs of Ewan Henderson. I was disappointed with him last season but he's come back this summer and is looking the part.

Only one goal to show for the last campaign and a player who is so much better than a bit-part performer who's in and out of the side. For an attacking midfielder, he did nowhere near enough and that needs to change. In football there are no second chances.

Not enough goals or assists but he looks a completely different player in the last few weeks and his aim has to become one of the first names new boss Lee Johnson scribbles on his team sheet. He's started this campaign like a man on a mission and he's been on fire. I thought his display when he came on at half-time against Falkirk was excellent. Hibs were dominant after the break and