Latest news with #JoshMulligan
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rangers made a massive mistake by not signing Josh Mulligan and their loss is Hibs' gain
From what I have seen from Mulligan so far, he has been an absolute standout at Easter Road It's a massive mistake from Rangers not to have signed Josh Mulligan. Their loss has been very much Hibs ' gain. Everyone knows that Rangers were in from Mulligan before their American-led takeover. That opened the door for Hibs. From what I have seen from him so far he has been an absolute standout at Easter Road. I thought he was brilliant against Livingston and in the European games, especially against Partizan Belgrade. His engine for 120 minutes against Partizan was outstanding. He was up and down the whole part of the game and had a real energy. He's just one of the guys you know what you're getting. He's really, really fit, talented and Scottish, which is great as well. I've liked him for a number of years at Dundee, from when they were down in the Championship and then won promotion back to the Premiership. He can play in numerous positions and he's got a great engine. The only real thing he was lacking was a finished product. But if he scores more goals like he did at the weekend then the Hibs fans will be delighted. Mulligan has made a brilliant start to his Hibs' career and hopefully it continues against Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League play-off. The first leg is at Easter Road on Thursday and that could be key. When you look at who Hibs have faced in Europe this season already, in Midtjylland and Partizan Belgrade, then I wouldn't imagine Legia Warsaw would be much better. It is probably a 50/50 tie although I would have the Poles as slight favourites because they have had more recent European experience. I certainly wouldn't like to go over to Legia needing to win the game. In saying that, I still fancy Hibs to go through. If they do, it would be a great achievement because they would have done it the hard way, getting into the group stages of European football for the first time. Obviously, Aberdeen winning the Scottish Cup was a spanner in the works for a lot of Hibs fans, in terms of getting guaranteed group stages. But if they go and do it this way then they would probably take more satisfaction from doing it this way, winning three big European ties and getting into the Conference League. It would be massive for the supporters and massive for the club. It's no secret that they've lost a few quid. I think the financial figures that are going to come out are not going to be great either, similar to last year. So qualification would give the club more of a sound financial footing as well as getting some money back in, depending on who they got in the group sections. Hibs will need to try and get a lead over there to take to Poland, but confidence is so high in the squad at the minute. David Gray changed half his team against Livingston and still won comfortably. It shows there is real confidence for places. The manager also managed to give his record signing, Thibault Klidje, a run out and he also scored. So everything is so positive at Hibs at the minute. Martin Boyle has been a real talisman for Hibs. You've seen it over in Belgrade, scoring a couple of goals in a really intimidating atmosphere. He seems to thrive in the bigger games. As I said, I was also impressed with Klidje against Livi. There's been a lot of screaming and shouting for him to be playing more minutes. But I just don't think he's been ready. Listen, it can be an instant judgment. Look at the boy Kusini Yengi at Aberdeen who was written off as a dud after two games. It would be similar if they put the boy Klidje in and if he wasn't very good at the start, people would make their minds up. So I think he's managed him well, he's let him get up to speed and he's let him settle in. There is competition up front but I would go with Kieron Bowie , who has been outstanding and Boyle. You could then bring Klidje on. The only really interesting selection for me is in the goalkeeping position. Raphael Sallinger came in against Livi. He looks great with the ball at his feet although he didn't have too much to do otherwise. Does the manager stay loyal to Jordan Smith or does he bring the boy Salinger in? I think he'll probably stay loyal to Smith, but I would probably change it. I would play the boy Salinger, but I think David Gray is big on loyalty and the boy Smith has done really well for him over the piece. For me, that is the only real decision that the manager has to make.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thibault Klidje repays record Hibs transfer vs tame Livingston to set up Rangers quarter final
Thibault Klidje marked his first start with a goal against Livingston as Hibs set up a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final date with Rangers. Josh Mulligan made sure of the win in the dying stages with a howitzer from distance just minutes after coming off the bench. Record £1million record signing Klidje glanced home Martin Boyle's corner just before the break and put in a lively display before being subbed in the 68th minute. READ MORE: Kilmarnock surge in Premier Sports Cup as tired Dundee United suffered Conference League hangover – 5 talking points READ MORE: Derek McInnes handed brutal Hearts reminder by St Mirren as Premier Sports Cup surge ends – 5 talking points The Togo international had been restricted to four sub cameo outings before this clash and finally made the most of his chance to shine. Klidje was one of six changes to the starting XI as boss David Gray mixed it up ahead of Thursday's crucial Conference League play-off first leg against Legia Warsaw. Hibs wasted little time in finding their feet and could have gone ahead inside the first minute. Klidje outmuscled Shane Blaney to get on the end of a long ball and his dipping shot from the edge of the box was tipped over by the backtracking Jerome Prior. From Boyle's corner Klidje then found himself unmarked at the backrest but the 24 year-old made a mess of his header and Prior gathered. The Lions enjoyed success down the right flank but their deliveries into the box came to nothing. Lions keeper Prior then did well to push a Josh Campbell drive from distance away. But Hibs broke the deadlock two minutes before the break through Klidje. Boyle whipped in a corner from the left and Klidje met the delivery at the front post to glance past Prior. Livingston upped the pressure after the break but Hibs made sure keeper Rafa Sallinger had a quiet debut with a solid defensive display. And sub Mulligan wrapped up the win with a rocket from 25-yards that found the top corner in the 87th minute. Hibs' debut This was Hibs' seventh game in 25 days as they juggle domestic and European football and Hibs boss David Gray tinkered with the team that progressed in the Conference League with an extra-time aggregate win over Partizan Belgrade on Thursday. That meant handing full debuts to three of his new recruits. As well as Klidje, goalkeeper Salinger and midfielder Miguel Chaiwa also got the chance to impress. Towering Austrian stopper Sallinger's appearance came on the back of number one Jordan Smith being at fault for two goals against the Serbians. Pace in attack Kieron Bowie delivered a textbook display in forward play against Partizan and with the marksman enjoying a well earned rest from the starting XI Martin Boyle and Klidje led the line. Hibs were happy to hit high balls over the top for the pacey pair to run onto. That caused problems for the Lions centre backs Ryan McGowan and Shane Blaney. And McGowan picked up a booking in the 16th minute for a cynical foul on Klidje on the far touchline. Record transfer makes a mark After four sub outings amounting to only 33 minutes record signing Klidje was finally handed the chance to show what he is all about from the start. There was not even a minute on the clock when the former Luzern man forced a save from Jerome Prior. He put in a shift and his overeuberance got the better of him when he was booked for barging into Shane Blaney. But he had the Hibs chanting his name with the opening goal in the 43rd minute when he forced home Martin Boyle's corner. Klidje went off to a standing ovation from the Hibs fans in the 68th minute Tame Lions Livingston were blunt in attack in the first half as they failed to even register a single shot on target. It was an easy first start for Sallinger in the Hibs goal. Robbie Muirhead went into the game with four goals in six outings but he had an off day in front of goal. The experienced striker was set up by Andy Winter after the break as the hosts chased an equaliser but he failed to get a shot away from a promising position. Livingston's first shot on target came after 54 minute but even that was a tame effort from outside the box from Scott Pittman that was easily collected by Sallinger. Euro boost This result and performance ticked all the right boxes for Hibs boss David Gray ahead of Thursday's Conference League play-off first leg visit of Legia Warsaw. As well as giving much needed game time to some of his squad as they booked a quarter-final against Rangers, it also meant there was a well earned rest for others who needed it. The likes of Bowie, Chris Cadden and Rocky Bushiri also watched on from the bench without being needed.
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Mulligan's late strike was one to savour
Josh Mulligan, step forward. You provided one of the few pieces of real quality in an eminently forgettable Premier Sports Cup clash between Hibs and Livingston at the Home of the Set Fare Arena. The 22-year-old picked up the ball on the left just outside the Livi box and smashed the ball into the net. A superb strike from the versatile player who only joined Hibs in the close season. He decided not to renew his contract with his home town club and moved south to the Capital. He now looks like a quality capture by Hibs boss David Gray who described the performance of his men as 'very professional'. They now move forward to a mouth-watering, quarter-final tie at Ibrox against Rangers but first they continue their European odyssey with a midweek home clash with Legia Warszawa on Thursday (20.00) in the Europa Conference League, play-off, first-leg. For the visit to West Lothian, the Easter Road side made six changes from the squad which accounted for Partizan Belgrade on aggregate on a heady night last week, resting standout striker, Kieron Bowie. If that was a bruising, energy-sapping battle, it went into extra time, then this was round two, a highly-physical clash with the West Lothian club. It will have left scars. Bodies landed on the deck regularly, leading to staccato play. The game lacking any fluency and cried out for somebody to take charge of the ball and start distributing passes around the newly-laid, artificial pitch. Nobody, sadly, put their head above the parapet, unfortunately, for the 4, 696 fans at the sun-kissed arena where the thermometer registered over 20c. Sadly, this was not, in my humble opinion, a good advert for Scottish football. Grey felt his men had control of the game. They had, but there were precious few occasions when Livingston goalkeeper, Jerome Prior, was really tested. Busy Josh Campbell did fire a vicious left-foot shot from the left of the box which Prior dealt with at full stretch in the first period, but robust challenges prevented constructive play with Mo Sylla and Campbell clashing on several occasions in midfield battles. Finally, the deadlock was broken and as the clock ticked tediously towards the break, Tongolese striker, Thibault Llidje, struck. The 24-year-old, who Gray said he is being 'patient' with Klidje, who previously played for Bordeaux and Luzern. He emerged from a ruck of players near The Lions goal line to celebrate. Martin Boyle assisted. The break came as a welcome relief, and the same pattern emerged at the re-start. Crunching tackles, little constructive play, shots being blocked, including one from substitute Nicky Cadden. Livingston huffed and puffed, but failed to blow Hibs' house down. However, they began to get their act together, forcing Hibs back into their own half as they mounted a late charge. Scotland defender Grant Hanley was prominent, using his positional sense and his head on several occasions to snuff out dangerous moves, and Kanayo Megwa had been a strong presence throughout. Chances were at a premium for the home side, with debutant goalkeeper, Raphael Sallinger, having a comfortable afternoon between the Hibs posts. If looked as if Klidje's strike would separate the teams as the final whistle loomed when Hibs broke and Mulligan took centre stage with three minutes of regular time remaining. It was a goal to savour, and the Hibs fans certainly did, singing 'That's the way I like it'. Livi did have a late chance but Zak Rudden failed to find the net after a free-kick from substitute Connor McLennan and Hibs countered quickly and could, possibly should, have added to their tally had they made more of a four-on-two break from inside their own half. Sportingly, Livingston manager, David Martindale, conceded that Hibs deserved to progress, but added: 'We played some good football.' Of course, Livingston were promoted from the play-offs last season, and he did concede that the West Lothian club had not faced a club from the top six in the William Hill Premiership for some time. He said: 'There is a difference between the top six and the bottom six (in the Premiership).' He's right, there is, on this evidence, but Livingston will learn from this. They will have to learn fast as it is Celtic Park for them next Saturday (15.00) on William Hill Premiership business. Like this: Like Related
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'One of the most exciting nights at Easter Road in years'
We asked for your views on Hibs' pulsating extra-time win over Partizan Belgrade to reach the Conference League play-off are some of your comments:Gary: A bit like Tina Turner, Hibs don't like to do things easy, they like to do things hard!John: I need a lie down. If i was not already grey and balding I would be after last night. What a rollercoaster of a night, team spirt and never-say-die attitude, the boys showed great self belief. As for Kieron Bowie's goal, eat your heart out I'm glad Jordan Smith redeemed himself with some brilliant saves in the second half. Bowie and Josh Mulligan both outstanding, but all in all excellent Hibs who never gave up and ran themselves into the ground. They've made me proud yet Wowie Bowie, the guy is unplayable, and his special goal gave Hibs belief after losing two despicable goals. Great team effort to make the Unbelievable night at Easter Road. Smith hands them two goals, Bowie scores a goal of a lifetime. Then both teams go toe to toe in a pulsating match which left everyone shattered in the stands. But we are through to the next round. Well done Hibs have ridden their luck in this tie but no one can doubt the character of the group. One of the most exciting nights at Easter Road in Genius, sheer genius. Bowie has the potential to become one of the truly great centre forwards. Icing on the cake of a team performance filled with passion commitment and promise of much more to come. Even our goalie came good second half and extra time with tie-saving stops. Great time to support the Hibees.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The SPFL star who was 'signed and sealed' for Rangers transfer this summer and why it collapsed
Kevin Thomson claims Josh Mulligan had agreed a move to Rangers earlier this summer. But the switch collapsed after a change of ownership and recruitment at Ibrox. Mulligan, 22, was a standout for Dundee last season and attracted interest from the Light Blues in January. READ MORE: There's one thing Rangers boss Russell Martin should thank his predecessor for READ MORE: Rangers sent Champions League warning over Club Brugge phenomenon that's 'almost impossible' to stop Gers already struck a pre-contract agreement with Dens Park teammate Lyall Cameron and were weighing up a double swoop. But the Ibrox outfit decided to pause their transfer business as the club rubberstamped the appointments of sporting director Kevin Thelwell and head of recruitment Dan Purdy. Hibs then quickly moved to the front of the queue and completed a major coup by luring the versatile star to Easter Road. Mulligan has hit the ground running in Leith and ex-Rangers and Hibs ace Thomson reckons the uncapped Scot will make the Hibees a fortune one day down the line. Thomson told Open Goal: "He's a machine. He was signed and sealed to go to Ibrox. It was all agreed, I heard. All agreed. "I think it was just the change in recruitment and ownership that stalled it a wee bit. "I don't know if it was to the degree where he was just about pen to paper. "He covers so many different positions. He probably doesn't like the word, but he's like that utility type player who can cover so many different types of positions. "Great age, physical specimen. He'll be one who can hopefully get the Hibees a few quid. Kieron Bowie will become a good asset for the club as well." Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the-minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football, and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On , every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bite-sized chunks.
