Football: Baz can't believe his Hibee high-life; ABERDEEN v HIBS.

EVERY time Gary Smith sees a league table these days he has to pinch himself just to make sure his footballing fairytale isn't all just a dream.

The big defender can't quite believe he's managed to swap the soccer scrapheap at Pittodrie for the table-topping high-life at Hibs.

This time last year Smith couldn't even get a game with a dismal Dons side floundering at the bottom of the league.

Indeed, the 29-year-old endured the worst period of his career when he found himself frozen out during his second spell in the north east by boss Ebbe Skovdahl.

Smith had to suffer ten long and painful months exiled in the wilderness and even had to suffer the ignominy of training with the Aberdeen kids.

At one point he even feared his dispute with Skovdahl could cost him the chance to further his career elsewhere.

Even at the start of this summer Smith, who negotiated his own release from Pittodrie despite having no club lined up, had no idea what the future held.

He was at his lowest ebb when Alex McLeish, a team-mate during his initial spell with the Dons, offered him the chance to begin pre-season training at Easter Road.

Smith was not expecting the courtesy to be extended any further when he returned from Hibs tour of Germany so he was pleasantly surprised when they handed him a three-month deal.

His short-term contract expires at the start of October, however, on the evidence so far for his new club, it would be strange if McLeish did not extend his stay in the capital.

Playing at the heart of a defence that's lost just one goal in four games would tend to suggest Smith, who broke into the Scotland squad during his first stint at Pittodrie, has rediscovered his self belief.

Therefore it is hardly surprising he returns to his old club this afternoon brimming with confidence.

Smith said: "I'm delighted to be back playing again, particularly after what happened to me last season.

"I only played six games before being dropped so it I had a long time doing nothing.

"My last game for Aberdeen was against Rangers at Ibrox in September and my next game in the SPL was for Hibs on the first day of this season. It was a real baptism of fire against Hearts and I did struggle to pick up the pace of the game.

"But after 15 minutes I was fine and I've been quite pleased with my displays since then.""

Despite his treatment by Skovdahl last term Smith doesn't harbour any real feelings of anger.

He said: "I'm not bitter about what happened and as far as I'm concerned it's water under the bridge.

"This kind of thing happens in football all the time and, although it can be difficult, you should try not to take it too personally.

"That chapter of my career is finished and, to be honest, I don't think about it anymore.

"However, I still keep in touch with a lot of the boys up there."

Smith still had a year remaining on his Aberdeen contract when he engineered his release from the club during the summer.

The decision has so far worked out well and he admits knowing McLeish from their time together at Pittodrie has helped him adjust to his new surroundings.

However, Smith believes he had no choice, but to risk a spell on the dole queue when he quit the Dons.

He said: "When I left Aberdeen I wasn't confident of getting myself another club straight away, but there was no way I could sit around on the scrapheap for another year.

"I knew that if I didn't play for another whole season I'd struggle to get a club when my contract ran out.

"I couldn't afford to take that risk and although it's early days I'm happy with the way things have worked out.

"It makes a big difference playing in a winning team who are full of confidence.

"Hopefully I can go on and win myself a long term deal."

Smith will travel to Pittodrie determined to help keep his team's unbeaten run going and he's convinced his new side can get a result.

Smith added: "It will be a tough game for us but we go there brimming with confidence.

"We have played some superb football this season, but we can also dig and grind out results.

"Wednesday night was a good example when Kilmarnock were well on top of us.

"However we held on for a 1-0 win and that was just as satisfying as our 5-1 victory over Dundee last weekend."

Meanwhile, Smith's former boss, Skovdahl, is delighted to see the defender flourishing at Easter Road and insists his treatment at Aberdeen was nothing personal.

He said: "I'm delighted Gary has found a place he can play.

"Different managers go for different players. Some will like this player while others will like that one.

"It's definitely nothing personal. I don't grudge him some success, just not against us. Whatever he does after that is okay with me."

The Aberdeen boss's preparations for today's game were dealt a blow last night when stand-in skipper Eoin Jess was ruled out with a knee injury.

Derek Whyte featured in a friendly against Deveronvale last night but won't be risked against the Hibees leaving Skovdahl with a dilemma over who'll wear the captain's arm band.

The job is expected to go to Cato Guntveit or Arild Stavrum although transfer-listed centre-half Mark Perry is also in the running.

Skovdahl said: "We'll wait until tomorrow to see who'll be captain but our main concern is Hibs who deservedly top the league."