Latest news with #Hibee
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Former Hibs star man reveals he would've made shock transfer to Hearts whilst still playing at Easter Road
The former Hibs and Rangers man says at time he wouldn't have said no to crossing the divide 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... The rivalry between Hearts and Hibs has always been a bitter one. The fans hate each other, the players resent each another and at times the managers have disliked each other. However, remarkably there are a number of players who have represented the Jambos and the Hibees over the years. Paul Hartley is perhaps the most notable crosser of the divide, as the midfielder played for Hibs from 1998-2000 then Hearts from 2003-2007, not making him the most popular figure at Easter Road. Going the other way, James Keatings moved from Hearts to Hibs in 2015, after being released from his contract at Tynecastle. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whilst it has happened on occasion, moving from one Edinburgh club to another is still a very rare occurence. But a former Hibees player and fan, who had three spells at the club, has recently revealed he would've been willing to move to Hearts, and almost did. Kevin Thomson almost signed for Hearts under Gary Locke Speaking on a podcast with Open Goal, former Hibs midfielder and lifelong fan, Kevin Thomson has said that he was close to signing for Hearts. During his second spell at Hibs, Thomson claimed he wasn't getting enough game time at Easter Road and that Hearts manager at the time, Gary Locke tried to sign him. He said: 'I spoke to Lockie (Gary Locke). At the time I wasn't playing for Terry Butcher and he phoned me saying every time you play, you've been the best player. I know it would be a hard thing for you because of your upbringing, but would you be interested? "I was like, well, how could you say no really at the time? I was at Hibs at the time but I was out of contract. I would've played for anyone. It's a job although I wouldn't have ideally picked to have played for the Jambos.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Thomson would 'never say no' to Tynecastle move during playing career Despite his obvious allegiance to Hibs, Thomson went on to say he would've signed for Hearts, but in the end the deal fell through and he went elsewhere. He said: "I think they are a brilliant club. Even though I've been brought up a Hibee, I think they are a brilliant club. "Great facilities, brilliant stadium. I loved playing at Tynecastle. So if you did get offered it, and it came to it, I'd never say no. "I think you'd be stupid to say no. But at the time, it never came to fruition. It was just chat and I ended up signing for Dundee that summer." Between his three spells at Hibs, Thomson played for Rangers, Middlesbrough and Dundee before retiring in 2016. The 40 year old had a managerial stint with Kelty Hearts in 2021, where he guided the Fife Jambos to promotion to the Scottish League Two before resigning the following summer.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
I was a Hibs player when I held transfer talks with Hearts and would have said yes to the Jambos
The born and bred Hibee revealed he was willing to directly cross the Edinburgh divide Kevin Thomson has revealed he WOULD have directly crossed the Edinburgh divide after holding talks with Hearts during his second spell at Hibs. The born and bred Hibee came through the ranks at Easter Road and even skippered the club before moving to Rangers in 2007. Thomson then had a stint at Middlesbrough before returning to Leith in 2013 but was released a year later by the relegated club after being bombed out by Terry Butcher. The midfielder eventually signed for Dundee but admits he could have ended up in Gorgie. Thomson, 40, was sounded out by then Jambos boss Gary Locke about a shock switch to Tynecastle that would've made headlines across Scottish football. And despite his allegiances to the green side of the capital, Thomson confessed he wouldn't have thought twice about pulling on the maroon jersey after being binned by Hibs - who he later went back to for a THIRD time. "Aye, I spoke to Lockie," he told Open Goal. "At the time, I wasn't playing for Terry Butcher. He phoned me. "I never knew him that well apart from playing against him. Lockie was obviously one of the older players in Jim Jefferies' Killie team when I was breaking through. "He used to play in the middle of the pitch so I'd come up against him. He picked up the phone and he said I can't believe you're not playing. "Every time you play, you've been the best player. I know it would be a hard thing for you because of your upbringing, but would you be interested? "I was like, well, how could you say no really at the time? I was at Hibs at the time but I was out of contract. "It was typical. We were due to play Hearts and it ended up hitting the paper. I think it was at Easter Road and I think Hearts maybe beat us 1-0 that day. "We had stayed over in the Marriott just where the Hermiston Gate roundabout is, and it was on the back page of the paper that Kevin Thomson has been linked with Hearts. "It never came from me. I remember speaking to Lockie on the phone. Did I get abuse for it? No, not really. It was typical. "It made me laugh obviously when I wasn't playing at the time, I ended up playing in the derby. "I like to think that every time I put on the jersey, I would always give 100 per cent. But to get beaten in that game and obviously to be linked, it was another merry-go-round of bad publicity. "I would've played for anyone. It's a job. I wouldn't have ideally picked to have played for the Jambos. "I think they are a brilliant club. Even though I've been brought up a Hibee, I think they are a brilliant club. "Great facilities, brilliant stadium. I loved playing at Tynecastle. So if you did get offered it, and it came to it, I'd never say no. "I think you'd be stupid to say no. But at the time, it never came to fruition. It was just chat and I ended up signing for Dundee that summer."
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
John McGinn transfer latest: Aston Villa could 'u-turn' on Hibs favourite as Everton keep tabs
Former Hibs midfielder John McGinn has been linked with a summer move from Aston Villa to their English Premier League rivals Everton (Pic: Getty) | AFP via Getty Images The former Easter Road star could yet make a summer move as Aston Villa rival Newcastle United in another transfer race. 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... Hibs have had a busy few weeks in the transfer window with their latest move seeing the Easter Road club break their record transfer fee to sign striker Thibault Klidjé from Luzern. The Togo international becomes David Gray's fourth new addition this summer following on from Jamie McGrath, Raphael Sallinger and Josh Mulligan. They have also tied down Rocky Bushiri, Junior Hoilett and now Jordan Obita on contract extensions while moving on the likes of Jair Tavares and Nathan Moriah-Welsh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Supporters have had plenty of business to keep themselves occupied in the build up to their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie against FC Midtjylland later this month. Meanwhile, away from Edinburgh, there is a transfer saga developing involving a former Hibs favourite and current Scotland star... Aston Villa could perform 'u-turn' on John McGinn transfer amid Everton interest Former Hibee John McGinn has been a stalwart for Aston Villa since leaving Easter Road in 2018 to join the Birmingham club. He helped them back to the Premier League in his first season there and has gone on to make 285 first team appearances for the Villains. The 30-year old, who is Villa's captain, has also established himself as a key part of Steve Clarke's Scotland side in that time as well as a favourite of the Tartan Army. Despite al that though, it looks like there is a chance he could be departing Villa Park this summer. Reports have linked David Moyes' Everton with a move for the midfielder, who scored four goals for Villa last season and was part of their UEFA Champions League campaign. However, there was no suggestion that Unai Emery's side were actively seeking to move their skipper on. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That could potentially change before the end of the window though and a recent report from Football Insider suggests that McGinn's future could hinge on a move for former Chelsea star and England international Connor Gallagher. Villa, along with Premier League rivals Newcastle United, are credited with an interest in the 25-year old who currently plays in Spain with Atletico Madrid. The report claims that if Villa are able to land Gallagher that will 'clear a path' for Everton to sign McGinn providing they have not moved on to other transfer targets before that opportunity potentially arises. Hibs and St Mirren could profit from John McGinn transfer Hibs stand to add to the undisclosed transfer fee they received when McGinn signed for Villa back in 2018. That transfer was, at the time, was understood to include a 15 percent future sell on fee to go to the Edinburgh club if Aston Villa were to sell him. However, it was also the case that St Mirren were due 30 percent of the 15 percent sell on fee that Hibs received. McGinn is currently valued at €16 million (£13.9 million) on football statistics site Transfermarkt although is actual transfer value is likely to exceed that number especially with clubs like Eveton having the financial resources to far exceed that sort of figure for a player who would surely enter their team as a regular starter.
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Revealed: The 'absolute wizard' who has blown away new Hibs signing
McGrath and Hoilett both hit net as Boyle bagged winner in Euro friendly 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... A scorer with his second touch of the ball, Jamie McGrath could hardly have expected a better first start as a potential Easter Road favourite. If he continues in the sort of form that saw him open his account after just 73 seconds in last night's Euro throwback friendly win over Rot-Weiss Essen, he'll certainly be a favourite with home fans. Ask the summer arrival about his first impressions of life as a Hibee, however, and the Irishman's focus switches away from his own talents – and towards those of his team-mates. With one especially magical figure drawing particularly high praise. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad McGrath, who signed a pre-contract agreement to join Hibs with six months of his deal at Aberdeen remaining last season, considers himself fortunate to have shared a dressing room – however briefly – with Junior Hoilett. So he's thrilled to be reunited with the former Blackburn, QPR, Cardiff and Reading attacker, back for another year at Hibs after a long summer of family talks and contract negotiations. Former Aberdeen star one of 'a special few' Shaking his head in admiration of the goal Hoilett stuck past Essen in an eventful 3-2 home win, McGrath said: "Oh yeah, he's an absolute wizard. I grew up watching the Premier League and you're looking at him week in, week out playing. 'So to play with him now, it's class to learn off him every day. I had the pleasure of playing with him at Aberdeen for six months - and he's still as good as ever. "You saw his finish; he does that every day in training. It's great to play alongside someone of his quality. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "He's a very good character to have around as well. He's always willing to help out, help you out. I'm delighted to be back playing with him again. 'He makes your job easy. You know the ball's going to stick with him or he's going to get out of a tight situation. "He's a joy to play with. His finish against Essen, only a special few can do that. He'll be a big player for us this year.' McGrath has put in the hard yards over pre-season, having fully recovered from shoulder surgery towards the end of last season. A long-time Hibs target who actually signed for the club on one particularly frantic Deadline Day, only for the deal to fall through, he's loving being part of a team who carried real momentum over the second half of the last campaign. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Ah yeah, you see the quality throughout the pitch,' said the attacking midfielder. 'We can score goals from everywhere. You see the two wing backs getting forward, both Caddens, and Lewis Miller stepping in. Irishman keen to chip in with goals "It's a dream to play as an attacker in here as well because the boys don't refuse putting balls in the box and I was lucky enough I got the goal from that. I think it's going to be hopefully an exciting season. "Yeah, my second touch was a goal, so not a bad start. It was a good exercise, getting 90 in the legs. I think it's my second one in six or seven months, so it was nice to come through that. "This part of the season is just about forming relationships and getting the hard yards done, so a lot of good stuff tonight and a lot to improve on as well. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I like to chip in (with goals) as much as I can. I've had a good return over the past few seasons, so hopefully I can keep that going now this year. It's important for us all to chip in, to take pressure off the lads up top. "But we know the quality of the boys up top as well, they're always going to chip in. You've seen Martin Boyle and Junior Hoilett scoring, and Kieron Bowie was unlucky hitting the post. So the more threat we have all over, the better for the team. "It was nice to play our first game at Easter Road. It didn't really feel like a friendly at all with the travelling fans and our fans there. It felt like a European game at some stages of the game. So yeah, it was a really positive night. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "We conceded two goals, which we won't be happy about. But at this stage, like I said, it's just about getting the hard yards in and forming partnerships and relationships with each and every one. 'The gaffer said before the game that Europe was 15 days away. So every day we have to train up the levels and make sure we're in our best physical shape for the first competitive game. "We have a tough game against Bournemouth next week and we're playing some very good teams, so that'll stand us in good stead going into the European campaign. At this stage it really is about getting the hard work in and making sure we're in our best physical state in a couple of weeks' time.' Hibs face Bournemouth behind closed doors on the south coast next week, then host Bolton Wanderers in a final pre-season friendly doubling as Darren McGregor's testimonial, before travelling to Denmark to take on FC Midtjylland in the Europa League second qualifying round on July 24. Still short of a striker and a defensive midfielder, with the Nectar Triantis situation looking less promising the longer it's allowed to run on, there will be more new recruits coming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad McGrath feels the existing squad is well placed to cope with more arrivals, pointing out: 'It's actually a very settled team as well, bringing back Rocky Bushiri and Junior Hoilett. It's not like there have been massive additions in the squad, so that also helps as well because the boys already have that understanding and you saw the run they went on last year. "It's great to have a bit of a blend of continuity and new blood. And I think it's a really good balance."
Scotsman
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs latest as player details exit reasons and ex star signs Premiership contract
Here are some of the latest transfer headlines with Hibs flavourings 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... Hibs are into the swing of their planning for next season after a short break, and transfer business is on their minds. Already, midfielder Jamie McGrath and goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger have signed for the club. A Europa League second round qualifier against FC Midtjylland is on the horizon next month and the likes of Nectar Triantis are on their radar to bolster a team that finished third in the Premiership last term. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Here are some of the latest transfer headlines with hints of Hibs woven through, from one ex-star's possible exit from Rangers and a striker's reasons for leaving Leith. Ex star signs contract with Premiership club A former Hibs player has signed a one year contract to continue with Livingston into the Premiership. Andrew Shinnie spent between 2016-17 on loan at Hibs and has been at Almondvale since 2021, helping them out the Championship at the first time of asking in late May. Now it has been confirmed the ex Hibee will return to the Premiership with boss David Martindale and co. A statement said: 'Livingston is delighted to capture the signature of Andrew Shinnie for another year, after scoring some key goals along the way in the 2024/25 campaign. Shinnie is David Martindale's 8th signing this summer. Welcome back.' Former ace on Rangers future Kevin Thomson came through the ranks at Hibs and spent four years at the start of his senior career with the Easter Road side before joining Rangers. He returned for two more stints before his playing days ended and has since moved into coaching, back at Rangers having previously been in the academy before taking charge at Kelty Hearts. Amid a takeover at Ibrox, the ex midfielder admits he's in the dark over what comes next. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He told Sportsound: 'I went back in the second week in February. We finished up the third in May. Obviously in that time there's been a takeover, a new manager. My contract's finished on June 30. As of yet I've not really had much dialogue with the club. I'm just waiting to see what's what. Moving forward, if there's an opportunity there then brilliant. If there's not, then you know what I'm like, I just bash on and keep grafting away." Dylan Vente gives exit reasons One player who has moved on from Hibs is Dylan Vente, who has permanently joined SC Heerenveen after a spell back in the Netherlands with PEC Zwolle. He has detailed why the move is a good one with him, packing in some time for a laugh on the impact of a holiday abroad. Vente told club media: 'I have to hold my stomach in for the photos, because I've been to Ibiza! I like to joke around, but only when I can. When I have to be serious, I am. I am a hard worker for the team. I can play along, but I also have deep runs. I can vary that. After the matches we received a schedule, which also included the sprints and sprint meters. I always had a lot of that. I believe that if you do that, you will be rewarded with goals. The idea that he (Robin Veldman) has, how he sees the coming years, appealed to me. That story, and the size of this club, were reasons to come here."
