Ex-Hibs ace Danny Handling would change the past but is delighted to commit future to Edinburgh City

Danny Handling in action for Hibernian in 2017. Pic: SNS Group

Danny Handling was delighted to commit his future to Edinburgh City this week, but admitted he would change the past if he could.

The midfielder turned down offers elsewhere to sign a new two-year deal with the League Two club as he continues to rebuild his career in the part-time ranks following his release from Hibs in 2017.

The 26-year-old has overcome that disappointment and numerous injury setbacks to become a key player at Ainslie Park, scoring 14 times in 33 games last season to help the club into second place before the campaign was cut short by coronavirus.

It was the longest run of consecutive games he has had in a career blighted by injuries – his 65 appearances at Easter Road were spread over six years – but while those setbacks were an undoubted factor in his unfulfilled potential at Hibs, he also regrets not making the most of the opportunities he had.

“I’ve said it before to teammates and friends, if I could go back and relive my life now I would change a lot of things,” he said.

“It’s hindsight, but when I was at Hibs people used to say to look outside football and give yourself a back-up plan, or even just stick in now, get away from the lifestyle and just try to focus on football. If I could do that now I would.

“For instance, I used to hate the gym sessions but if I had the opportunity to do what I had before, I would do it in a heartbeat without moaning. It’s just the realisation once you get older how lucky you are to play at the level, especially because Hibs are one of the biggest teams in the country.

“I had it all at my front door and I didn’t take as much advantage as I probably should have, which I realise now. I’d give that advice to any young player coming through, that everyone says the same thing and at the time you think, ‘ach, I’ll be alright, I’ll be fine’ but you really aren’t.

“Football changes so quickly and you can go from one team to another, full-time to part-time, within days.”

While he may rankle with his past, Handling is more than content with his current situation with the new deal at City, along with a full-time job at Lloyds Bank, providing some welcome financial security in uncertain times.

“It was always going to be difficult because of the circumstances we’re in for any team to try and get players in,” he said. “But I had a couple of good offers and it was just a case of seeing what Edinburgh City could do for me personally.

“The season before I didn’t play a lot of games because I was injured so I took a hit in finances to try and stay on at Edinburgh. Off the back of a good season it was back in my hands so it was always going to be a lengthy process.

“I think we were discussing for about three or four weeks but once we got on the same level with an agreement it was a no-brainer.

“There’s a lot of boys getting released just now that are in a really bad situation so it’s lucky for me that Edinburgh City have been good to me and given me a two-year deal, and I’m very happy.”

Handling also believes the Citizens are going places under the stewardship of his former Easter Road youth coach, James McDonaugh, and he was keen to remain part of it.

“It’s a fantastic club. It’s a very, very good set-up, especially for a League Two team,” he explained. “The gaffer has got it running like a full-time team, which is a credit to him. That’s something I like – a professional club – because it keeps the full-time side to it.

“It was a big help in the transition (from Hibs). I went to Dumbarton and it was a good club and well run, but the set-up at Edinburgh City is second to none.

“The gaffer as well, I’ve known for a long time, and I know what he wants to do and understand how he wants to play. It suits me having him there and there’s a lot of players that I’ve played with before previously, so there’s a good connection among the squad.

“It’s an exciting project. Everyone knows Edinburgh City are trying to go places, but they are actually putting stuff in place for it to happen, which says a lot, and it’s good to be a part of that for the next two years.”

Handling is hoping to get back to action sooner rather than later having grown tired of his lockdown fitness regime, which involves pounding the pavements after a long day at work.

“It is really draining,” he says. “For full-time boys it will be easier because they are off, but there’s nothing like being in amongst the training and the boys. I miss it a massive amount, especially just playing the games. That’s the main thing - just playing a game of football – and you can’t do it. God knows how long it is going to go on for, which is a worrying thing.

“Hopefully it starts to pick up sooner rather than later because I don’t know how long I can keep doing the road runs. It’s mentally tough but you have to do it because the level we’re at, everyone is in the same boat, and everyone is going to want to come back fit and ready to go for the new season.”