Craig Gordon returned to action for the first time in 292 days as he played 45 minutes for Hearts in a bounce game behind closed doors.
The 40-year-old suffered a double leg break last year that many feared would end his career.
But he took to the pitch at Tynecastle today as he continues the process towards returning to first-team football after being given the all-clear to train with his team-mates last month.
And Gordon was delighted to be involved. He said: "It’s nine and a half months now since that day I broke my leg, yeah it’s been a long time coming.
“It’s been difficult at different periods of rehab but it’s great to get back out there, especially the first game back here at Tynecastle.
“I know there’s no fans there but to get back out on that pitch is pretty special, always. Being in the changing room, getting changed and going back out onto a stadium pitch is what I’ve been wanting to do to get back to that level and this was the first stage.
"To get back out and play 45 minutes in the second half was just great. To be out there feeling the positions and being in the right place at the right time.
"Getting all those little things back embedded into my mind. Yeah it was great to be part of it.”
