Nicky Cadden hopes his career path finally crosses with that of his brother Chris on Saturday – five years after they took divergent routes.
The Livingston midfielder was released from the Motherwell youth set-up on the same day his twin was offered a professional contract.
Chris went on to establish himself as a Well regular but Nicky returns to Fir Park on Saturday a first-team player with a Ladbrokes Premiership club after bouncing back quickly and working his way up following the setback he suffered as a schoolboy.
The 22-year-old has more than 125 senior appearances under his belt with Airdrie and Livingston as well as winning two consecutive promotions.
The Livi player told Press Association Sport: “I was talking about that to my dad and he said I have showed real good character to bounce back from the setback of getting released.
“It was hard for me and my family at the time because Chrissy was kept on and I got told I could go. Everybody was happy for Chrissy but sad for me, so it was weird.”
The Motherwell-based player refused to be disillusioned and had made his Airdrie first-team debut by November of that same year before getting a move to Livingston in 2016.
His brother’s progress has always inspired him on his way to the top flight and Nicky is revelling in the club’s new status, with Livingston sitting third ahead of Saturday’s contest.
“When Chrissy broke into the first team, it was totally deserved,” he said. “I could see all the hard work in the gym after training doing extra stuff. He was playing in the Prem and I wanted to strive for that – I wanted to play with him or against him in the Prem.
“When he got his under-21s caps it was great and then when he got his two (Scotland) caps it was absolutely incredible. I strive to do that and do what he’s doing.
“Throughout our careers we have always helped each other. We watch each other play and we give each other pointers which have helped both our games.”
The pair have never faced each other in a competitive game, though.
“A few times it could have happened and it just never worked out,” he said. “One time when I was at Airdrie our under-19s were due to play Motherwell under-19s but I got called into the first team. Chrissy was saying I had bottled it.
“Another time last season in pre-season we had a friendly against Motherwell but I got injured a few weeks before and couldn’t play. And then he was injured for the recent Betfred Cup game.”
If the pair both play then it is highly likely they will come into close contact given Chris plays wing-back on Motherwell’s right flank and Nicky is a left-sided midfielder.
“That’s what my mum and dad are worried about,” Nicky laughed. “You come up against guys you know in other games and you have a wee chat and a few words and have a laugh and a joke sometimes, so that might happen. He might be too focused for that but I will be trying to wind him up.”
