 He had been a regular for the club during its Second Division days, but found himself reduced to 11 appearances during the first half of the season as the club returned to the big time and he was allowed to leave during January 1963.Leishman returned to Scotland and joined Hibernian for the same amount the Reds paid for him, £10,000.He failed to secure a regular place in the Hibs first team and he joined Irish League side Linfield as their player-manager.