When Carl Starfelt clattered into the back of Kevin Nisbet, the Hibs striker knew he'd sustained a serious injury.
The 25-year-old immediately waived for medical attention as he lay stricken on the Easter Road turf last month.
Nisbet suffered a tear of his anterior cruciate ligament against Celtic and he faces up to nine months on the sidelines.
The Scotland star successfully underwent surgery in London and recent life events have provided him with perspective for his comeback journey.
“I knew instantly that it was a bad one,” he told the Scottish Sun.
“I heard the pop and I felt it straight away. I think my reaction showed something was really wrong.
“Then I tried to get back up to play on, but my knee buckled and that was it.
“I hoped it was going to be a smaller injury, but it was my anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament.
“When they say that to you then you know it is the worst-case scenario.
“It’s terrible to hear it confirmed after the scans. But I was pretty convinced before going to the appointment what was coming.
“The doctors at Hibs had done tests on me, and they said that’s what they thought it was.
“It’s still hard to hear though when they say ACL.
“It was a tough first few days as I was in a brace and I couldn’t really do anything.
“I wanted to get the operation over and done with, so I could start my recovery quickly.
“It’s my first major injury, so I have been lucky up until now. I have a long road ahead of me, but I am ready for it.
“I’m quite a positive person, and I know I will come back bigger and stronger from this.
“In football, I never get too high or too low. That’s the way I have always been.
“I’ve had ups and downs off the park as well. Everyone knows what happened with my dad.
“That was the toughest thing I’ve ever faced in my life. So if I can get through that then I can get through anything.
“Something like that certainly gives you a bit of perspective."
Nisbet was part of Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for Euro 2020 last summer.
The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar in December and the former Dunfermline striker admits it's been on his mind.
“Scotland have been great with me too," Nisbet added.
"As well as working with the Hibs medical team, I am able to go into Hampden to do my second rehab of the day.
“I know the World Cup is at the end of this year, but the physios have told me not to look too far ahead.
“However, I can’t deny I have thought about it.
“But before I can even think about getting back to playing for Hibs and Scotland, then I have to put in the hard graft in rehab.
“So that’s really my only target just now."
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