Supporting Our Supporters, the monthly mental health drop-in run by Hibs Community Foundation volunteers, welcomed tenacious midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh to March’s event.

Nathan was amongst the crop of players signed by Nick Montgomery to boost the squad during January’s transfer window. Chatting openly about his career to date, he engaged with the group enthusiastically, briefly mentioning he has not been immune to his own mental health issues.

As a young player whose youth career found him playing for Chelsea, Reading, Brentford, and AFC Bournemouth, he admitted to sometimes struggling with rejection when clubs released him. At one point he found himself questioning, albeit briefly, whether he should consider an alternative profession. The fact he opted to persevere – apt for his new club! – says so much about his character, while his honesty is testament to how grounded Nathan is for someone who only turned 22 earlier this month.

Nathan’s entertaining talk covered his spells with English clubs, particularly Bournemouth. He was already acquainted with the many lows and highs football can bring, recalling being booed off the pitch when The Cherries were knocked out the FA Cup by non-league Boreham Wood in 2022. But he contrasted this with receiving 14 caps for Guyana and scoring 3 times. Representing the ‘Golden Jaguars’ brought pride to his family, especially when, during his ninth cap, against Haiti in the CONCACAF National League in 2022, he scored his first international goal, a screamer from the edge of the box.

The group fired many questions at Nathan, especially concerning his decision to sign for Hibs. He’d been impressed by the all-round camaraderie – teammates, staff, fans. The training centre (with 6 or 7 pitches compared to Bournemouth’s 2). The sports science involved. But, especially, the supporters. Since becoming an honorary Leither, he was getting used to being recognised and praised by locals. He also mentioned how taken aback he was by the level of support he’d encountered from fans home and away, adding if mates down south asked about signing for Scottish clubs, he’d say, “100%.”

Who was his all-time favourite player? Ivory Coast midfielder, Yaya Touré, one of the greatest-ever African players, whom he loved watching when he was at Barcelona, and then Manchester City. What were his own ambitions while at Hibs? 10-15 goals/assists per year. How was his first derby last month, when the points were shared at Tynecastle thanks to a controversial Shankland penalty? He relished big occasions, and if anything, being goaded by the Hearts fans in the front rows only spurred him on. What did he like to do away from football? He was keen on playing the sax. Someone in the group suggested his version of ‘Sunshine on Leith’ might lift the dressing room!