Harry McKirdy: Hibernian forward has successful heart surgery
- Published
Hibs are "confident" Harry McKirdy will be back to full fitness in time
Hibernian boss Lee Johnson is backing "big character" Harry McKirdy to make a full recovery from heart surgery.
The Edinburgh club say the 26-year-old "will be out for a significant period of time" after a successful operation.
The forward joined Hibs from Swindon Town last summer and made 23 appearances in his debut season without scoring.
"He is supporting the boys and the boys are supporting him from afar," Johnson told BBC Scotland.
"He is a big character for us and you will see that in social media. Sometimes it's gone a little bit too far but he's a great lad.
"He did actually have to go back in to hospital but he has come through that as well. We are very conscious that he needs a rest and hopefully he can make a swift recovery and get back on the pitch.
"I think at this point it's difficult to pinpoint a return time but within the next couple of weeks we can sit down with the surgeons and the specialists to build that increase in heart rate to get him to his maximum and go from there.
"What I will say is this is not something that will affect Harry negatively moving forward and I think that's a brilliant thing."
McKirdy last played in May, coming off the bench in an end of season derby at Tynecastle.
"The club are confident that Harry will return to full fitness following his rehabilitation period," read a statement confirming the heart surgery.
"The club's medical department will continue to have open dialogue with his surgeon, and specialists, to ensure he continues to recover in this positive manner.
"He will be out for a significant period of time."
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