Imagine telling Myziane Maolida, former Lyon prodigy and France youth international, that his six months trapped in Berlin limbo would finally be washed away in... Kilmarnock.

So frustrating has this career dip been for the 24-year-old, however, you get the distinct impression he'd have accepted a return to form anywhere in the world. Banished to Hertha BSC's B team in the fourth tier of German football, Maolida accepted an offer to get himself back on track at Hibernian, starting down that path on Saturday with a brilliantly taken equaliser at Rugby Park.

His emergence from the bench helped catalyse an unlikely comeback from Nick Montgomery's side, two goals down and staring straight at a fourth defeat in Premiership outings. And he hopes it's the first of many to come.

READ MORE: Hibs instant analysis as Myziane Maolida rescues dramatic point

“It’s about being happy," said the Comoros international. "I want to play for Hibs and take them as high up the league as possible. I was always smiling, but there were times when that was difficult. Because I wanted to play all the time.

So it’s not easy for the head when the manager doesn’t pick you. That’s why I’m so happy to be here. I was so happy to score and so thankful to the supporters - to score in front of them was very special.

“When the chance came, I didn’t think! I had come inside trying to help the team. I just hit it and enjoyed the feeling. It was a great sensation to see it go on.

“Yes, it was like the frustration being let out. It was such a good sensation to score in front of all those fans. You forget all the bad moments when something like this happens.

“It was a big opportunity for me to come here, to join a very big club in Scotland, one of the best clubs. And I wanted to play every game.

“Because I had a difficult six months before coming here, personally. I wanted to come here and give my maximum, show my quality – and score goals. Many goals.

“Yes, I am hungry. I want to play and I want to score goals. And I want to show my qualities. That’s why I’ve come here. I’m very happy to be here and playing for Hibs."

Maolida's exile in the German capital was well publicised, with Hertha manager Pal Dardai quite literally declaring he wanted the player as far away from his team as possible. Maolida's agent publicly refuted allegations that his client was 'lazy' but, either way, the whole episode was highly detrimental for a young man who once looked to have the world at his feet in Ligue 1. 

Upon signing him for around €13m in 2018, Nice inserted a €100m release clause into the deal, and Lyon ensured a significant sell-on was also agreed. Upon bringing him to Easter Road, Montgomery suggested it was all a bit too much, too soon for the then-teenager.

READ MORE: Every word from Nick Montgomery after Hibs draw at Kilmarnock

“At Berlin, it was difficult because I didn’t play much," Maolida explained. "It’s not good for your head or your body. I just kept myself fit so there was a chance to go somewhere during the transfer market. I wanted to be ready for a move.

“I don’t know. I didn’t have a problem with the manager. But he didn’t take me into his team. So I just accepted that, kept training – and kept waiting for the transfer market to open.  Now that I’m playing here, I am focused on playing for Hibs.

“It’s a very different way of playing here. Very different. Not like Ligue 1 or the Bundesliga. It’s a different style of football – but just as good.

"Scotland is a lot faster, there is a lot more fighting for the ball, physically competing, and that will be good for me, it will help me improve."