Anthony Stokes made a big impression on a young Graham Cummins starting out in the game.
And the St Johnstone striker believes his fellow Irishman will be a Hibs dangerman in Saturday’s League Cup semi-final.
“I remember years and years ago he was training with one of the under-age Irish teams,” Cummins recalled.
“They needed a body and I was on some soccer course in Cork so they just threw me in. I was basically a mannequin with legs.
“I remember watching him.
“I was still a teenager and he was a professional. His touch was unbelievable.
“He scored there at the weekend and so that is a good start to his latest spell at Hibs.
“He is a massive signing.
“When you sign somebody like that it shows intent.
“Hibs are a very big club. I read at the weekend that Anthony could have gone to a Premiership club but for me Hibs are a Premiership club, just in the wrong league.
“He is a good signing but they have other good players and you don’t just focus on the one player.”
There was a second time when the two players’ paths crossed.
Cummins explained: “When I was on trial with Sunderland he was there.
“He actually dropped me back at the hotel once and was really nice. He is also big mates with a fella I know back home. I don’t think he’ll know me.”
Stokes will hope to force his way into the international picture but Cummins doesn’t believe that is a realistic goal for him.
“Honestly,” he said. “No.
“You see the likes of Adam Rooney. He gets into the 30 but I can’t remember the last time he made it into the 22-man squad and he has been doing it for years.
“Getting into the Ireland squad at my age would be a big achievement but realistically I think it is unlikely because we have a lot of top strikers.
“I wouldn’t be crossing my fingers or anything like that.”