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Scotsman
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Report and ratings as Hibs surrender two-goal lead to Killie at Easter Road
Two points dropped. A two-goal lead surrendered. And an unusually error-strewn performance from a Hibs side who had looked so brilliant in Belgrade and dominant in Dundee. The boos that rang out at full-time after this 2-2 draw at Easter Road were aimed not at David Gray's men, but a refereeing team who had angered some of the locals … because that's what officials do. Ultimately, this was just an unsatisfying experience for fans who had experienced – either in person or via the small screen – such European highs on Thursday night. On a day when Scotland defender Grant Hanley made his debut, Rocky Bushiri rose to power home a thumping header with 20 minutes on the clock. Elie Youan then netted his first goal since December 21 – in his first start since Boxing Day – just six minutes later, before embarking on some truly joyous celebrations. Complete with audience involvement. Liam Polworth gave Kilmarnock a lifeline that they barely deserved with a goal just before half-time before Ben Brannan's early Goal of the Season contender made it 2-2 early in the second half. And, in truth, either side might have won a game notable for some erratic defending, to say the least. In a home side showing three changes from their midweek heroics in the Balkans, with Hanley, Junior Hoilett and Youn dropping into the starting XI in place of Jack Iredale, Chris Cadden and Boyle, there was no early hint of disruption to Hibernian's rhythm. A couple of shaky moments defensively, perhaps, but a general air of control about the opening exchanges. It certainly came as no surprise when they took the lead. Nor was it a shock to find both Jamie McGrath and big-moment specialist Bushiri combining. From a free-kick won by Jordan Obita's adventure down the left, McGrath simply drilled the ball hard – and we do mean hard – across the six-yard box at a height of about seven-and-a-half feet. Bushiri met it with his forehead at the back post, sending his effort screaming past a despairing Max Stryjek. Youan made it 2-0 a little over five minutes later, the Frenchman taking a sublime through ball from Hoilett in his stride and beating Stryjek despite the goalie getting a touch on the ball. Hibs were now in firm control of the contest. And looking for more goals. But Bushiri was too easily beaten by Marcus Dackers out on the wing, the centre-half having ceded possession initially with a surging run and inaccurate pass, allowing the Killie No. 9 to cut the ball back for Polworth. His sliding effort went in despite Jordan Obita's best efforts on the goal line. Dackers missed a glorious chance just 30 seconds into the second half, heading over from all of five yards under little pressure. But the equaliser wasn't long in coming. Hibs actually cleared their lines pretty well from a corner kick. They just couldn't account for Brannan scoring an absolute worldie, smashing a right-footed volley from well outside the box and justifiably celebrating with gusto after the ball arced over and beyond Jordan Smith to hit the far top corner. Both teams had chances as the game entered its decisive phase, with a couple of miskicks from goalie Smith almost gifting Killie a goal, while Josh Mulligan made the wrong choice on a three-man counter with Dylan Levitt and substitute Martin Boyle. Mulligan's hard running and Boyle's nose for goal added something. But Hibs never really managed to click. And had to satisfy themselves with a single point when three had been within their grasp. 1 . GK Jordan Smith 5/10 Call it an off day. Or a complete footballing breakdown. Not that he could do anything about either Killie goal. But back passes caused the undisputed Hibs No. 1 no end of stress and strife. | SNS Group Photo Sales 2 . RCB Warren O'Hora 6/10 Had to be alert to cope with the threat of Dackers. Useful in keeping the ball moving along the back line as Hibs switched play. Probably just the best of a back three who looked extremely rattled in second half, especially. | SNS Group Photo Sales 3 . CB Rocky Bushiri 6/10 Never dull. Second goal of the season, just four games into the new campaign, offset slightly by his role in Killie's counter strike moments before the half-time break. Involved in a couple of genuinely hairy moments. | Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . LCB Grant Hanley 6/10 Vastly experienced Scotland centre half made his SPFL debut with a start on the left of the back three. Replaced by Iredale just before the hour mark, having looked OK. | SNS Group Photo Sales
The Herald Scotland
08-08-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Hibs hero Boyle on 'perfect' experience of Partizan victory
Time and time again, when Hibs have needed a talismanic figure in a big game, he has stepped up to the plate. He was unlucky with disallowed goals in both legs against Midtjylland, but there was no doubting the legality of his first goal in Belgrade; a smart finish at the back post from Jordan Obita's corner that might just have been helped on by the head of Warren O'Hora. His second came from the penalty spot after Kieron Bowie was fouled as Partizan defended a Hibs corner. The captain thumped the ball emphatically past Marko Milosevic before wheeling away to celebrate with the band of Hibs fans tucked in one corner of the cavernous arena. "The atmosphere was brilliant. It was a joy to play in front of that," he said afterwards. "It was intimidating, but the boys never cracked, never crumbled. It was a professional performance. Defensively, a great display. A clean sheet away from home. Everything you ask for. But it's only half the job done." It has been fascinating watching Boyle combine his madcap personality with his increased responsibilities as a senior player in the dressing room and, since Joe Newell's injury, skipper of the team. It was telling when O'Hora, handed the armband when Boyle was subbed off, put it back on the Australian internationalist's arm. His press conferences nearly always contain laughter and leadership. "The red card came from Rocky Bushiri putting his body on the line. You can see how he's matured as a defender. He's a real leader for us. "He loves a Sliding Doors moment. He really does. But that's because he's just so tenacious. He puts his body on the line. We're very lucky to have him." If it seemed unusual to see Boyle ghosting in at the back post from a set-piece, don't worry, You're not alone. "I've been telling them to put me at the back post because for corners because I reckon there's ten goals a season there," Boyle explained. 'We've worked a lot on set pieces through the week. We know we're an attacking threat and we know defensively that we're really good. Thankfully, it paid off tonight and I was lucky to tap it in." Boyle's decision to head straight for the Partizan fans and cup his ears was markedly different from the celebration for his second goal, when he simply ran to the pocket of Hibs fans tucked away in the corner of the stadium. "It was better than the first one when I was getting vodka bottles off my head! But it was brilliant. "I actually asked the ref at half-time if I could go over and celebrate in front of our fans, if I scored again, after he told me not to celebrate in front of the home fans, so I already knew in my head that there could be another goal for me. 'It's great to celebrate with the fans. They can have that memory, it's hopefully something that lives with them for a long time. But that will mean us finishing the job off next week." Easter Road will no doubt be an electric place to be next Thursday but it will struggle to match the decibel levels reached in Autokomanda this week. But for all the noise, Boyle insists players thrive on the chaos. "As a player it's just amazing. Playing at an international level, you get the feeling of it. I've played Jordan away with Australia, played at Tynecastle, Ibrox is intimidating, so I knew exactly what to expect but there are a lot of people in the squad that haven't experienced it. And it's a great experience for them. "Everyone rose to the occasion. It's perfect. It's the crowd you want to play in front of – intimidating. It can only give you that buzz and keep you going." A heart-in-mouth moment early in the second half when Boyle hit the deck with nobody near him turned out to be a false alarm, even if he did leave the stadium heavily bandaged. "The knee's alright. I had a bit of a scare, I slipped and hyperextended it, so hopefully it settles down well," he said. "I've got no time to dwell on it. We've got a game in a few days! But when you've done your knee before, your first thought is always a worrying one when something like this happens. And then when I knew it was alright, I was just telling them to waste time a little bit. "But these things can happen in a game. Touch wood, it doesn't happen again and I'll be alright. [The strapping] is just precautionary at the moment so I'm ready to go again – and ready to hopefully score more goals."
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hibs continue defensive continuity as Obita extends stay
Jordan Obita is the latest Hibernian defender to agree new terms at Easter Road, extending his stay until the summer of 31-year-old moved to Edinburgh from Wycombe Wanderers two years ago and had 12 months to run on his previous has made 87 appearances for Hibs, scoring twice and providing seven defenders Rocky Bushiri, Lee Miller, Jack Iredale and Chris Cadden have all signed new deals in the past few months."He's an important part of the squad and has shown real consistency since joining us a couple of years ago," said head coach David Gray."Jordan adds flexibility to the backline being able to play at left-wing back and on the left-side of the back three and has attributes that help us defensively and going forward."Called up by Uganda this year, Obita spent 10 years at Reading before stints with Oxford United and sporting director Malky Mackay called the year's extension "a really positive step", adding that Obita was "a fantastic role model for our younger players".
Edinburgh Reporter
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Ten Hibs players called up for international duty
Ten Hibs players have been called up to international duty this month. Kieron Bowie has earned his first call-up to the Scotland National Team after demonstrating excellent form since he battled back from a hamstring injury which caused him to miss a large part of the 2024/25 campaign. Bowie has scored five times for Hibs since February and will now join up with Steve Clarke's senior squad for the first time in his career. Scotland host Iceland at Hampden on Friday 6 June before travelling to Liechtenstein on Monday 9 June. There are four Hibs players in Tony Popovic's 23-player squad for their upcoming training camp in Abu Dhabi. Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller have both been capped numerous times by the Socceroos', whilst Nectar Triantis is included for the second time in his career. Jack Iredale has received his first call-up to the national side – after an incredible first season with the Hibees! The final squad will be announced in the week leading up to Australia's two games against Japan and Saudi Arabia on 5 June and 11 June. Jordan Obita has earned his first call-up to the Uganda National team! The 31-year-old defender represented England at age group level, featuring at Under 18s, Under 19s and Under 21s – but never made a senior cap. He also qualifies to play for Uganda and will now join up with the squad for their upcoming international friendlies against Cameroon (6 June) and The Gambia (9 June). Rocky Bushiri has earned another call-up to the DR Congo squad for their upcoming friendlies against Mali (5 June) and Madagascar (8 June). Rocky made his debut for DR Congo in January 2024, before making his competitive debut earlier this year – keeping a clean sheet against South Sudan in a World Cup qualifier in March. Central midfielder Alasana Manneh can add to his 19 caps for The Gambia over the next few weeks. The Gambia take on Equatorial Guinea (6 June) before hosting Uganda (9 June), where Manneh could face up against Jordan Obita. Nathan Moriah-Welsh has received another call up to represent Guyana for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers double-header. Guyana have important games against Nicaragua (7 June) and Montserrat (11 June) in Group D of their World Cup CONCACAF qualifiers. The Golden Jaguars currently sit third in the group with three points after two games. Junior Hoilett has been named in Canada's preliminary 60-man squad ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup which takes place next month. Hoilett has 65 caps to date during his decorated career which has seen him represent Canada multiple times in the Gold Cup and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Jesse Marsch will name his final tournament squad of between 23-26 players by early June. Like this: Like Related
BBC News
13-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Obita 'ready' to step in for Hibs
Jordan Obita is "ready" to step in again for Hibernian as he did for Nicky Cadden, who came off injured at the weekend against Celtic. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), externalRead Thursday's Scottish gossip
