Feelings of joy and relief will have gripped Jonathan Pearson on Sunday after the Hibs defender marked his first-team recall with a goal only a few months after a health scare put his footballing career in jeopardy.
‘Choco, Choco’ chanted the fans after Jonathan Pearson steered the ball into the net from close in to put Premier League leaders Hibernians 3-1 up in their 5-2 victory over Żebbuġ Rangers on Sunday.
As Pearson, affectionately known as Choco, wheeled away in celebration, he was embraced by his jubilant team-mates who were clearly delighted to see one of the most popular players in the dressing room finally enjoy a positive moment after a difficult period in his life and career.
Holding down a regular place in a Hibs team strengthened by the summer arrivals of two towering defenders, Andrei Agius and Rui De Gracia Gomes, was always going to be a big challenge for Pearson but that pales in comparison to the adversity that engulfed the player around three months ago.
Pearson spent two months on the sidelines wondering whether he would receive the all-clear to resume his career after discovering that his thyroid gland was not working right.
“I was very happy to be back in the first team and score on Sunday after a difficult start to the season,” Pearson told Times of Malta.
“I was out for around two months. I was told that I may have to quit football because of my medical condition.
“I had a problem with my thyroid gland. It was not working properly and, initially, I was going to have an operation but the doctors eventually decided that I didn’t need surgery.
“Now everything is under control but I have regular tests.”
Pearson explained that it was the club doctor who identified the problem.
“I had no symptoms,” the defender said.“I felt fine but club doctor Silvio Grixti flagged the problem. He advised me to stop playing for a while in order to undergo further tests.
“It was the worst moment of my life. The club were adamant that I should take a break from football to concentrate on my health issues but I didn’t want.
“Now I realise that that was the best course of action.
“The club stood by me. I also received a lot of support from my team-mates, especially Andrew Cohen and Clayton Failla.”
The health scare came during a testing time in Pearson’s career.
A club man who has been with Hibs since the age of 12, Pearson has not seen much first-team action this season as, with the Paolites in imperious form from day one of the 2014/15 Premier League, coach Branko Nisevic has had no reason to change his team.
Hibs boast the best attack with 56 goals scored and also the best defence after conceding only 10 during their unbeaten 17-match run, winning 16 and drawing one.
Like every player, Pearson was not happy about his lack of first-team opportunities but he has no complaints.
“Since making my return to football about a month-and-a-half ago, I’ve been training hard to try and regain my place in the first team,” Pearson, who turns 28 on January 13, explained.
“It’s not normal for me to be out of the first team for so long but you can’t do much about it because the team is winning.
“And I understand the coach because, as the saying goes, you never change a winning side.
“That said, I’ve never given up hope of getting back into the team.”
Hibernians future
With De Gracia Gomes unavailable for a number of weeks after earning a call-up to the Equatorial Guinea squad for the African Cup, starting on January 17, Pearson received his chance on Sunday. He certainly didn’t let his coach and team-mates down.
The prospect of a first-team run with Hibs has prompted Pearson to rethink his plans after admitting that he was considering changing clubs during this month’s transfer window in search of regular football.
“There has been a lot of interest,” Pearson said.
“The majority of the Premier League clubs have called to see if I was interested in joining them.
“Until two weeks ago, I was mulling a move away from Hibs to improve my chances of first-team football but the situation has changed lately.
“Hibernians mean a lot to me.”
It remains to be seen whether Pearson, who has another two-and-a-half-years on his contract with Hibs, will retain his place in the starting XI but he certainly wants the best for the club.
“I’m very happy that Hibernians are top of the league,” he enthused.
“My targets for the remainder of the season are to win the league title with Hibs, keep my place in the team and obviously remain healthy.”