'Keep playing as long as you can' - Hibs legend sends message to history-maker Lewis Stevenson

Lewis Stevenson joined a rather exclusive club on Monday night when his second-half appearance against Celtic took the long-serving Hibs defender to 500 games in green and white.

Lewis Stevenson has been sent a congratulatory message by a Hibs legend

The 32-year-old is one of just five players to reach the milestone for the Capital club with Famous Five duo Gordon Smith (636) and Willie Ormond (506); former captain and manager Pat Stanton (617), and legendary left winger Arthur Duncan (626) joining him.

In the wake of his 500th appearance former Hibs manager and club legend Franck Sauzee – ambassador for the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation set up by Stevenson and defensive colleague Paul Hanlon – offered his congratulations to the Fifer.

"Congratulations Lewis on making your 500th appearance. A magnificent achievement, keep playing as long as you can.”

Stevenson was in a typically self-effacing mood in the aftermath of the 1-1 draw with the Hoops, telling Sky Sports: “There aren’t many players who have managed 500 games for Hibs and I’m in pretty good company up there.

"It’s been a long build-up [to 500 games] and I’m just glad it’s over now so we can stop talking about it.”

Stevenson made his debut for Hibs during the 2005/06 season and has played at leat ten league games in every season since, including the current campaign. In his 16 seasons at Easter Road he has won both the League Cup in 2007 and Scottish Cup in 2016, played in Europe, helped the club to the Scottish Championship title, and been capped by Scotland.

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