Hopeful Hibs star aiming to revive Scotland career - seven years after his last cap

Versatile Hibs player Chris Cadden has some unfinished business he wishes to take care of between now and the end of the season, which in his case he hopes will extend into June.

Scotland have friendlies at home against Iceland and then away to Liechtenstein at the start of that month as Steve Clarke prepares for the Autumn World Cup qualifiers. A recall to the international set-up would be an ideal way to crown a campaign that has continued getting better and better for Cadden and his Hibs teammates, including twin brother Nicky, following a decidedly rocky start.

Both Caddens deserve to be considered by Clarke. Chris’s chances are helped by the fact he plays on the right, where Scotland have fewer options compared with Nicky’s beat on the left.

Chris Cadden celebrates after helping Hibs to a recent win over St Johnstone. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Chris also has some previous experience to draw on, even if it seems such a long time ago. The then Motherwell player was just 21 when he was called up by Alex McLeish for friendlies against Peru and Mexico in the summer of 2018. He came on in both games as an inexperienced Scotland side fell to two defeats. Seven years later, while playing arguably the best football of his career, he is determined to revive his international career.

“I've always wanted to play for Scotland,” Cadden said this week. “I've said that playing those two times was the pinnacle of my career. It was one of the proudest moments of my life and something that I'll cherish a lot. If it came then that would be absolutely great, but I've just got to concentrate on Hibs and keep on doing that.

“Hopefully, if it does come, great. If it doesn't, then it doesn't change anything. I still want to play well for Hibs and still want to keep on going and playing my best for my club. That'll be something I'll take into account at the end of the season. But right now, it's just a full focus on Hibs and playing as best I can and trying my best to help Hibs be as successful as possible. If things come after that, then great.”

Chris Cadden in action for Scotland during a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in 2018. | SNS Group

Asked if he felt he was playing the best football of his career, with Hibs attempting to take a large step towards securing a third place finish this weekend against Aberdeen, he hesitated slightly. He is, though, happy to stress how proud he is of the way he has battled back after an Achilles tendon injury that kept him out for a large part of last season.

“In terms of this season, from a personal point of view it was about coming off an injury," he said. "I had a quarter of the season last season and this was my first full season coming back from a pretty serious injury. It was about getting up to my level pre-injury.

"I was frustrated at the start of the year. I was getting frustrated with myself in terms of there was always going to be a period where I wasn't feeling great or I wasn't feeling up to 100 per cent. But I've worked hard and kept my head down. To be honest, now I feel like I'm playing pretty well. I feel really good. And that's the hard work that I've put in.

"I don't know if it's the best I've been in terms of performing in my career, but it's probably the proudest I've been of myself in terms of what I've been through and the injury that I've gone through. To get up to a good level has been great. It's something that I'm proud of and the hard work I've put in. I'm probably not sure if it's the best. Maybe if I have a successful end, then it might be."