Ex Hibs striker set for dream Premiership return as he's wowed by comeback after 29 goal contributions
The former Hibs player is heading back to the top flight next season.
A former Hibs striker has been left wowed by his career turnaround that’s put him on track for a Premiership return.
Jamie Gullan has been a key player for St Johnstone, who after relegation last season, clinched the Championship title this week with a 2-0 win over Dunfermline Athletic. Gullan came through the ranks at Easter Road and made 38 appearances before leaving permanently for Raith Rovers in 2022 after multiple loans in Kirkcaldy.
After spells at Dundalk and another Stark’s Park stint didn’t bring top form, Gullan’s career was at a crossroads, with Saints boss Simo Valakari handing him a chance. He’s repaid the faith put in motion by sporting director Gus MacPherson, with an outstanding 15 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, with 29 goal contributions coming from a variety of attacking positions. Gullan is now eyeing his first crack at the top flight since November 2021 at Hibs.
What former Hibs player is returning to the Premiership?
He said: "If I'm honest, my career was going in completely the opposite way to the way I wanted it to. I went to Ireland to try to get things going but the reverse happened. Then I was without a club for three months before a short-term contract with Raith. I was at a crossroads. It was a waiting game at the end of last season.
"Raith offered something, then Gus got in touch and I spoke to the gaffer. I had worked with Gus at Queen's Park in 2018. From the first phone call, I knew I wanted to come here. On the day I signed, Gus told me: 'You're not finished' and said that I still had so much potential that hasn't been seen yet. It meant a lot for him to have that belief in me, eight years later, when I really hadn't shown much in the last couple of seasons.
"I will always remember that conversation. I'm so thankful to them for giving me a chance when my career was going the wrong way. And I'm so happy to have paid back that faith in me. I am over the moon and emotional about it all. It's just unbelievable.
Where is Jamie Gullan now?
"I couldn't have predicted the role I'd have in the team, or the impact "The gaffer, assistant Jordi Aluja and coach Paavo Valakari have spent so much time with me on the training ground since day one of pre-season. They've put in so much work for me to have the season I've had.
"It's a season I'll always remember. Now I've got the Premiership to look forward to again. And that's something which, at one point, I never thought I'd get the chance to do again. It has been great to hit form again at the right time."
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