Latest news with #EdinburghDerby
Edinburgh Reporter
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Jack Iredale joins Socceroos' camp high on confidence after positive season
Hibs defender Jack Iredale has joined up with the Australia national team this week, following a stand-out debut season. Speaking to the Socceroos media team at their Abu Dhabi training camp, the 29 year-old Hibs defender discussed his career journey, international aspirations and his first year in green and white. He made 31 appearances for Hibs in 2024/25 and caught the eye of Australia Head Coach Tony Popovic, who handed the centre-back his first senior call-up. Speaking firstly on the Hibees' rollercoaster season, Iredale said: 'It was a tough start but we managed to turn things around in November and went on a really good run. 'At the start of the season we set ourselves a goal of European football and finishing third means we've hopefully got a qualifying place. 'Now I come into the camp with really high confidence after a positive season and I'm just trying to keep things going from there.' Iredale's call-up is the result of over a decade of hard work from the defender, who was capped for Australia Under-17s back in 2012. Three ACL injuries nearly ended the defender's career before it had started in his teenage years. Iredale, who was born in Scotland before moving to Australia with his family as a young boy, signed for Greenock Morton in 2017 before spells with Carlisle United, Cambridge United and Bolton Wanderers. A summer move to Hibernian in 2024 came next, but he had to be patient for his chance in David Gray's side. After breaking into the team, Iredale quickly became a key player and wrote his name in Hibs folklore with a stunning Edinburgh Derby winner against Hearts at Easter Road in March. Having sealed third place in the William Hill Premiership with the Hibees, Iredale was called up alongside Hibs teammates Martin Boyle, Nectar Triantis and Lewis Miller. Asked how he has found the training camp so far, he said: 'It's been pretty good. It's been tough but everyone has made me feel really welcome. The boys have been really good. 'Obviously there's a few familiar faces but even the boys I hadn't met before have made me feel really welcome. 'I've been out of the system now for 13 years. I've been working away to try and get back involved. I'm very excited to be here. 'It's very rewarding. I had a tough time at the start of my career with injuries but to have this positive step in a good direction with the training camp, hopefully I can do well this week. 'For me, playing for my country is the only thing I've wanted to do in my career.' Iredale and the Australia national team now prepare for tough 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia next month. Tony Popovic will name his final squad in the week leading up to those games in early June. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs Trigger Martin Boyle Contract Extension
Hibs have triggered the one-year extension clause in Martin Boyle's contract – keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025/26 campaign. The Socceroo has scored 98 goals for the Club across the best part of 11 seasons – totalling 361 appearances to date. The 32-year-old first joined the Club on loan in 2015 before his move was made permanent later that year. Since then, the 'Starman' has had many iconic moments in Hibs green and white – playing his part in the Scottish Cup 2016 triumph, before helping Hibs gain promotion back to the Premiership the following season. Boyle has gone from strength-to-strength ever since, with memorable moments in the Edinburgh Derby and against both of the Old Firm. This season, the forward has had another standout campaign – registering 29 goal contributions (19 goals and 10 assists) – his best return in front of goal for Hibs. On triggering Boyle's contract extension, Hibs head coach David Gray said: 'We're delighted to extend Martin's contract, and this decision makes complete sense for the Football Club. 'Boyler has been an outstanding servant to Hibernian FC and his contribution on the field has been demonstrated yet again this season with his invaluable goals and assists. Not only that, he has also stepped into the role of Captain in Joe's absence and has demonstrated his leadership qualities with extra responsibility. 'Having played with him and coached him, he is the type of player that knows exactly what it means to play for Hibernian FC, and he will be a real asset for us next year.' Hibs Sporting Director, Malky Mackay added: 'Martin has had an excellent campaign in front of goal, and he has played a key role in helping the Club achieve European football for next season. 'He's an influential member of the dressing room and has grown as a leader this season with the added responsibility of being vice-captain. Martin's got a long affiliation with the Club – his wife is the Captain of the Women's Team – and he has a young family here too, so the extension made perfect sense for all parties involved. 'We're looking to the future, having Martin as part of next year's squad, as we enter an exciting time for the Football Club.' Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Derby hero Dwight Gayle still fixated on retiring and getting back to his family
Dwight Gayle has shared his sense of pride to play for Hibs and help the team secure third place in the William Hill Premiership this season. The veteran forward has played an important role for Hibs this season, providing 10 goal contributions in 28 games – including a memorable winning goal in the Edinburgh Derby on Boxing Day. With just one game of the 2024/25 season remaining, Hibs have wrapped up third place – bringing European Football back to Easter Road for the 2025/26 campaign. Reflecting on the season as a whole, Gayle admitted how proud he was to be part of this Hibs team. 'I am buzzing for the Club to involved in European football next season and it has brought me nothing but pride to be involved in the team that has achieved that for the fans. 'Coming up here, I wanted to be involved in something and the way the season has gone has made it even more special. We were obviously struggling at the start, and things weren't too great – but now I am leaving the Club in a much better position, there is a real buzz around the place, there is a great core to the group and I am sure they will start next season very bright.' This Saturday's William Hill Premiership clash with Rangers will likely be Gayle's last in a Hibs shirt, with his contract up at the end of the season the 35-year-old plans to retire and he is eager to end on a high. 'I am still fixated on retiring and getting back to my family,' Gayle continued. 'The most important thing for me is my family and spending time with them, especially while they are at a young age. 'I am going to come to the games as a fan next season for sure, and bring my little man to the away games abroad. 'The boys were buzzing to get the result on Wednesday and to get the job done. Now the fans can enjoy the day, get behind us and we can finish the season with a good result for them. 'You can see what every game means to the boys – we are all desperate to win. Our mindset hasn't changed in terms of how much we want to win, we know how much it would mean to beat Rangers at home so I am sure the boys will be fully focused on doing that.' Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs favourite secures Easter Road extension
Top scorer Boyle had options in Australia and beyond - but is staying put Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Martin Boyle will be back as a Hibs player next season - after the Easter Road club triggered a one-year extension clause in the fan favourite's contract. And gaffer David Gray says getting the deal done to keep Boyle on board 'makes complete sense' for all parties involved. Boyle has put together his best ever goal-scoring campaign despite injury problems this season, leaving him just two short of a century for the club he's served so well. He'll now enter the new campaign with his status as an iconic Hibee intact, with his performances as stand-in skipper in place of crocked club captain Joe Newell a major factor in Gray's men securing third place in the Scottish Premiership with a game to spare. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a statement released just moments ago, Hibs fans were told: 'We are excited to announce that the club have triggered the one-year extension clause in Martin Boyle's contract – keeping him at Hibernian FC until the end of the 2025/26 campaign! A modern-day Hibs legend, Boyle has scored 98 goals for the club across the best part of 11 seasons – totalling 361 appearances to date. 'The 32-year-old first joined the club on loan in 2015 before his move was made permanent later that year. Since then, the 'Starman' has had many iconic moments in Hibs green and white – playing his part in the Scottish Cup 2016 triumph, before helping Hibs gain promotion back to the Premiership the following season. Boyle has gone from strength-to-strength ever since, with memorable moments in the Edinburgh Derby and against both of the Old Firm. This season, the forward has had another standout campaign – registering 29 goal contributions (19 goals and 10 assists) – his best return in front of goal for Hibs.' Hibernian boss David Gray and sporting director Malky Mackay on done deal Gray, who had been desperate to see his former team-mate tied down to a new deal, said: 'We're delighted to extend Martin's contract, and this decision makes complete sense for the football club. Boyler has been an outstanding servant to Hibernian FC and his contribution on the field has been demonstrated yet again this season with his invaluable goals and assists. 'Not only that, he has also stepped into the role of captain in Joe's absence and has demonstrated his leadership qualities with extra responsibility. Having played with him and coached him, he is the type of player that knows exactly what it means to play for Hibernian FC, and he will be a real asset for us next year.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sporting director Malky Mackay added: 'Martin has had an excellent campaign in front of goal, and he has played a key role in helping the club achieve European football for next season. He's an influential member of the dressing room and has grown as a leader this season with the added responsibility of being vice-captain. 'Martin's got a long affiliation with the club – his wife is the captain of the Women's Team – and he has a young family here too, so the extension made perfect sense for all parties involved. We're looking to the future, having Martin as part of next year's squad, as we enter an exciting time for the Football Club.'
Edinburgh Reporter
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Grant Scott named PFA Scotland SWPL Manager of the Year
Hibernian Women Head Coach Grant Scott has been named the PFA Scotland SWPL Manager of the Year. Scott has led Hibernian Women to the top of the ScottishPower Women's Premier League with three matches remaining. His side went on an incredible 16-game unbeaten streak across the turn of the year, with unforgettable victories over Celtic, Glasgow City and Rangers amongst the many wins achieved. Hibs Women also reached their first domestic cup final since 2022 under Scott's guidance after going on a memorable Sky Sports Cup run. Scott collected the award at the PFA Awards night in Glasgow on Sunday 4 May, 2025 – just hours after leading his side to a historic Edinburgh Derby victory over city rivals Hearts. Like this: Like Related
