Hibs captain Paul Hanlon hails 'amazing' NHS strip after becoming a dad again

Paul Hanlon has applauded the club's decision to print 'Thank You NHS' on the front of next season's home strip.

Hibs defender Paul Hanlon will have extra reason to wear the club’s new home strip with pride next season after becoming a father for a second time during football shutdown.

Paul and his wife, Danielle, recently celebrated the birth of their second child, Cody, and the defender was full of praise for the NHS staff who looked after them during their time in hospital and says he will be honoured to wear the ‘Thank You NHS’ strip next season.

In an interview posted on the club website via Capital City Press, Hanlon said: “I think it’s amazing what Hibs have done with the message on the front of the shirt.

“It’s had a great reaction and it makes you really proud to be part of the club when they do things like that.

“Probably, for too long, I think NHS staff have been taken for granted. But when you come to a crisis like we’ve got just now it really hits home how important they are and what a good job they do.

“All the credit they’re getting is exactly what they deserve.”

Hanlon admitted he had concerns about going into hospital in the midst of a pandemic, but was grateful for the care his family received.

“All the staff were brilliant and we felt really safe,” he said. “We didn’t feel at risk in that environment, thanks to the staff and everyone there.

“With the situation, at the moment, the NHS staff obviously have a massive workload. You can forget there are other illnesses that people are suffering from in everyday life that need to be treated as well.

“There’s a lot going on and, having been in that environment and seen what a great job they do, it makes you really grateful.”

While he is missing Easter Road, Hanlon has enjoyed the extra family time that the shutdown has allowed him.

“It is a tough period for everyone at the minute, being in lockdown,” he said. “But, for me, personally, and for my wife as well it’s been helpful because for the last couple of weeks of her pregnancy I was in the house and able to help out with our eldest boy, Ollie, and do other things around the place to help her.

“Obviously, I was still off when Cody was born, so I’ve had the last few weeks to spend some good, quality family time.

“Ollie’s been able to get used to having Cody in the house and it’s been great having this time together as a family.”

Hanlon has also been juggling his dad duties with staying in shape as Hibs have put all their stars on a strict fitness regime.

“The first couple of weeks was a bit of a novelty, going on runs by myself and everything else. You feel quite motivated to do it,” he said.

“The longer it goes on, with no date to work towards, it gets a lot more difficult. That’s just fitness-wise.

“On top of that you miss playing football, miss being with the boys every day and everything that comes with being in a changing room environment. It’s probably taking its toll a bit now.

“The first couple of weeks I was coping fine but it’s getting harder and harder. But, at the end of the day, the health of everyone is the most important thing.

“The manager and the staff have been great with us, keeping in touch and doing different social activities through video calls and things like that. We’re all on a big group chat.

“The club have been great and all the staff have been brilliant. Everyone knows we’re just all desperate to get back to playing football.”