Marijan Cabraja in emotional Hibs appreciation as defender thanks teammates for 'crying with him'

Marijan Cabraja felt his Hibs team-mates were crying with him after the death of his father and insists their support has given comfort to his whole family.

The defender lost dad Frano suddenly last month and travelled home to Croatia for the funeral in shock. Despite having just 48 hours to compose himself, the summer signing told boss Lee Johnson he still wanted to play against Rangers and flew back to Scotland just a day after the heartbreaking wake.

The left-back was a first-half substitute and proved a key performer as Hibs snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Light Blues. At the full-time whistle, Cabraja broke down in tears and was embraced by colleagues and staff before making a touching speech in the dressing room. Talking for the first time since those moving scenes, the Croatia Under-21 cap has laid bare the emotions of a spell he believes brought him closer to his sympathetic team-mates and also eased the worries of mother Kaca and brother Anto 1500 miles away.

He said: “I spoke to my brother – and I listen to him like he’s my father – and he told me our father would want me to play. I texted the gaffer on Friday to say I was flying back to Edinburgh, that I was ready if he needed me and I was able to do anything he might ask of me. So it wasn’t that hard a decision.

“I used my emotions throughout the game. The tears came and went a few times but it helped me. Football is emotional on its own so it helped me. At the end of the game, that was my release, my way out. It was much easier with this team.

“My family and I will never forget that moment (at the full-time whistle). They were so happy when they saw that because they know the guys are with me and that I’ve settled fine.

“My mother told me I needed