Ex Hibs forward Garry O’Connor has today ruled out a move back to the club, for the time being anyway. Rumours have been doing the rounds for months that O’Connor, who’s contract is about to run out at Premiership side Birmingham, was on his way back to Easter Road. Further fuel was added to the fire when the Scotland hitman was spotted out running on a number of occasions in the city, including Arthur’s Seat and the Meadows. The 27-year-old has revealed today that he won’t be coming back to his boyhood heroes, and plans to prove himself in England, and that his runs around Edinburgh were his attempts to get himself fit for the new Premiership season. Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has now given O’Connor a chance to prove his fitness, as they have a two year option on his current contract. O’Connor has picked up a number of injuries over the last few seasons, and speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, he said: "I've been really depressed at how little football I've been playing. I've had five operations over the last two years around my groin and hip areas but now I am absolutely flying. O’Connor also ruled out a move back to his boyhood heroes, but admitted he would like to come back one day, and give something back to the club, he said: "It's a question I've been asked a few times. Looking forward to the season, he added: "I think I'd probably look to the Wolves one more than the others, Christophe Berra trying to stop us scoring while Fletch will be looking to get one at the other end. 
"I reckon I'm now in the best shape in the last five years, my sharpness is back as is my strength and I'm feeling really positive.
"I have a two-year contract extension at Birmingham but that's been put on hold because I have to prove my fitness to the club.
"I asked for six months, although Birmingham wanted to offer me longer and, if everything is all right, then the two-year deal can be signed."
"Hibs will always have a special place in my heart, the fans have always been terrific to me and I still have the ambition to come back to the SPL and play for Hibs again, I have unfinished business in England. I'm not trying to be disrespectful to Hibs, I'd never be that to the club or the people at Easter Road, but I think everyone would agree that every player wants to test himself against the best.
"England certainly has that, look at the World Cup and every country seems to have one, two, three or even four players from the Premier League.
"As a striker you are playing against defenders who cost £20 million which gives you that extra wee buzz when you do score against them. Then you are going to places like Old Trafford, the Emirates, Stamford Bridge and so on, places where the atmosphere is fantastic.
"Christophe has done well since he came south from Hearts while you could see from early on at Easter Road that Fletch had all the attributes to be a top striker.
"I watched him last season and he did very well.
"I know people will look at the £6.5m Wolves paid, but down there that's pennies to a lot of clubs.
"I'll look forward to the derbies but, to me, nothing will match the games with Hearts, particularly scoring at Tynecastle.
"Luckily enough for me, I managed to win a few derbies and score in a few and that picture of Dean Shiels and myself sitting on the pitch over there having each scored is one I'll never forget."