It was December 29, 2018. A Highland derby between Inverness CT and Ross County in Dingwall. The last time Jamie McCart started at left-back.
That was until Sunday in Dundee. 2,570 days later.
Derek McInnes was without both Harry Milne and Stephen Kingsley for Heart of Midlothian's trip to Dens Park due to injury. He was required to call on McCart.
The Hearts head coach knew he could trust him, having hailed the player's professionalism and standards.
The 28-year-old was informed on the eve of the game that he may well be called on. Which he was.
McCart had not started a competitive game all season. And while he played in a bounce game a few days earlier, he was part of a back three with Alan Forrest as wing-back.
“I was told on Saturday, we got the bad news about Harry and then Stephen Kingsley pulled out with his one," he said.
“But I know the standards I’ve set and the professionalism, so I knew if I got the opportunity, I could come in anywhere.
“You just have to wait for your opportunity, the team are winning and we’re top of the league. So you just have to be patient and when you do get in, give the gaffer something to think about."
McCart has had plenty of game time on the left of a back three, like the bounce game against Dunfermline Athletic, making it easier to adjust to moving slightly wider into a full-back role.
He was part of a back three at St Johnstone that saw him and Jason Kerr flank former Hearts youngster Liam Gordon.
But you have to go back to his time in the Highlands for playing as an out-and-out left-back.
“I’m delighted to get playing because it’s been a long time, a frustrating time. So I’m happy to get the opportunity and Sunday’s game was quite one to come into, but I’m happy to get the win," he said.
“I have played at left-back before for Inverness quite a few years ago. I do enjoy playing across the left side, it was tough, but I found it enjoyable.
“It is a bit of a change because you’re wider, so you can go higher and deeper, plus every game is different. Sometimes you’ll play against wingers who go one-v-one and then others will go away from you. It’s something I’ve done before, so I felt pretty comfortable with it.
“At St Johnstone, we played a back three and the way we did it meant you had to get out to defend in those wide areas. That stood me in good stead.
“It was a tough challenge, especially when we went down to 10 men because you’re defending one-v-one on half a pitch. So it’s difficult, but it was a good challenge and you enjoy it when you come out on top with a clean sheet."
McCart has had a frustrating time this season. He impressed early in pre-season training before suffering an injury in the first pre-season encounter during the warm-weather training camp in Spain.
He played more minutes on Sunday than he has in his other six appearances combined this campaign.
The defender ruled out thinking about a possible January switch for game time.
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“I signed at Hearts for a reason. I want to be here and I want to play, so every day I train and try to prepare like I want to play. So definitely," he noted.
McCart will have a part to play between now and the end of the season. A season that is shaping up to be a special one for the club.
The player accepted that the 1-0 win over Dundee, having been down to 10 men for over 45 minutes, "felt like a big one with the circumstances of it".
“We said that at half-time at Dens Park, sometimes those wins are better than winning 4-0 because of the way it transpires," he said.
“You saw a real unity among the team and sometimes it’s not always pretty football and easy games. You come away, tough weather and tough opponents, so you have to find ways through that. It was really good for us and every game is important given the position we’re in.
“St Mirren is a really tough game, it always is because they’re good opponents. But if we show the same spirit and fight we did against Dundee, we’ll be in a good position.
“Is something special brewing here? I think so, and we have been saying that all along. From pre-season, you could see we have a really good group here in the dressing room.
“Regardless of how games have been going, if we’ve dropped points or whatever, there’s still that same buzz. There’s still the same atmosphere and Sunday’s win at Dundee highlighted it."
McCart was, of course, asked about the role of another player who has had a somewhat frustrating season in terms of game time.
Craig Gordon produced a match-winning save in stoppage time, having replaced Claudio Braga at the end of the first half following Alexander Schwolow's red card.
“Craigy came up with another Craig Gordon save, it just shows the unit we have together," McCart said.
“He’s not a bad player to be bringing on - 43 years old and doing that coming off a freezing cold bench.
“Alex has been brilliant, but it’s so good to have someone like Craig ready to step in and show the quality he has. Anyone who knows him knows what he’s like, he’s quiet around the place, but his experience for all the younger boys is pivotal.
“I know it will probably be frustrating for him as well, but he never shows it. The standards he sets in training means he’s able to come in and do what he did.
“He really is top class and his performance highlighted it again.”
