Lewis Stevenson reveals best manager and names 'unbelievable' team-mate ahead of Hibs milestone

The left-back, who turns 33 later this month, is in his 16th season at Easter Road and in the run-up to his side’s Scottish Premiership clash at Celtic, also spoke to Sky Sports about his biggest influence, and which team-mates stand out above the rest.

Stevenson said: “John McGinn, I don't think I realised until he left, just how good he was.

"An unbelievable player, an amazing person, and someone you love to see doing so well. Definitely the best player I’ve played with.”

The veteran defender, who has helped bring on youngsters Josh Doig and Sean Mackie this season, has played under numerous managers at Easter Road including cup-winning bosses John Collins and Alan Stubbs but one gaffer sticks out more than the rest.

"My best football time was probably under Neil Lennon. He got the best out of me. He was a hard taskmaster at times and we had some big fall-outs but I think he appreciated what I was doing for him and vice-versa. He got the best out of me and the best out of the team.

"It could be tough: one time we were about ten games into the season, and it wasn’t long after I’d been away with Scotland. He hadn’t mentioned it and we were playing a home game against Hamilton, and he turned to me at the end and said, ‘Did you get a lobotomy in South America? Because you haven’t kicked a ball since you came back’."It had obviously been dwelling on his mind – I’ve had a few rollockings over the years but Neil Lennon was probably up there with the worst.”

Stevenson has seen off countless competition for his favoured left-back berth with Callum Booth, Callum Crane, and Miquel Nelom among the string of full-backs unable to dislodge the reliable Fifer but one player made a big impression on Stevenson when he was breaking into the Easter Road first-team in the mid-2000s.

"From an early age, it was David Murphy – a top quality left back who had everything. He helped me and trried to shape me into a left-back and gave me some great tips.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our sports coverage with a digital sports subscription.