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Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs squander two-goal lead and share points with Kilmarnock
Hibs threw away a two-goal lead and ended up sharing the points with Kilmarnock after a dramatic 90-minutes at Easter Road this afternoon. David Gray made three changes to the starting XI that beat Partizan Belgrade 2-0 on Thursday night in Serbia in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier. Scotland international Grant Hanley made his debut alongside Junior Hoilett and Elie Youan who replaced Jack Iredale, Chris Cadden and Martin Boyle. Hibs started on the front foot and after creating a number of early chances opened the scoring from a free-kick near the byeline. Jamie McGrath fizzed a cross to the back post and Rocky Bushiri was on hand to head the ball into the net. The hosts then doubled their advantage when Junior Hoilett's wonderful through ball found Youan who slotted the ball past the keeper. Hibs looked comfortable but just before half-time, Killie striker Marcus Dackers turned two defenders to get to the byeline, before finding Liam Polworth who scored from close range. That goal buoyed the visitors and the equaliser arrived shortly after the restart. A corner was headed away but only as far as Ben Brannan, who volleyed a contender for goal of the season brilliantly over Jordan Smith and into the corner from 25 yards. The visitors had the better of the second half with Smith looking nervy, but Brannan's effort was the final goal of the game Hibs host Partizan Belgrade on Thursday night at Easter Road, in the second leg of their Conference League third round qualifier. After the final whistle Gray told BBC Scotland: 'It was certainly, in terms of our level, a game of two halves. 'First half, very good. Started very well, a lot of good play within that. But we lost a goal just before half time through a lack of concentration. 'Second half, we were nowhere near the level we were. The second goal is a wonderstrike, but we needed to be better in how we reacted. 'It's a bit of everything – big moments in games, the momentum shifts, your opponent gets confidence from that. We gave them confidence with individual errors, created anxiety in situations. A lot of the chances we gave up were self-inflicted.' Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell told BBC Scotland: '[Brannan's strike] will be spoken about for quite some time. It's some strike, it's unbelievable. We had some other real good moments and spooked Hibs at the back. 'The goal aside, Ben is 18. We gave him his debut, we knew he was talented. I'll not get carried away, he's playing out of position, and he's embraced the whole situation. He's taken everything in his stride and you need that emotional intelligence to give yourself a chance.' Hibs: Smith, Hanley, O'Hora, Levitt, Youan, Bowie, McGrath, Mulligan. Obita, Hoilett, Bushiri Subs: Salinger, Manneh, Boyle, Cadden, Iredale, Klidje, Megwa, McIntyre, Campbell Kilmarnock: Stryjek, Brandon, Mayo,Deas, McKenzie, Dackers, Watson, Brown, Brannan, Daniels, Polworth Subs: Beach, Thompson, David, Kiltie, Anderson, Thomson, Watkins, Traynor Like this: Like Related
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hibs celebrate 150th anniversary with friendly win
Hibernian celebrated their 150th anniversary with a 3-2 friendly victory over German third-tier side Rot-Weiss Essen at Easter legend Pat Stanton commemorated the renaming of the East Stand in his honour by delivering the match ball before kick-off as summer signings Raphael Sallinger, Josh Mulligan and Jamie McGrath were handed their first starts of had been 70 years since Rot-Weiss Essen visited Leith in Hibs' first-ever European tie and McGrath would fire Hibs ahead after just 70 seconds this former Aberdeen midfielder finished from close range on the rebound after goalkeeper Jakob Golz saved his initial forward Junior Hoilett increased the lead with a curling drive, but the visitors reduced the arrears 40 seconds into the second half after replacing their entire starting XI during the Dominik Martinovic swept home a low cross and, five minutes later, fired past Sallinger from long winger Martin Boyle restored the lead from 18 yards before Sallinger saved a Torben Musel penalty in the closing minutes, much to the disappointment of a large visiting support who had been hoping for a repeat of the European Cup draw the sides fought out in Leith in 1955.
Scotsman
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
What Hibs fans learned from Euro throwback friendly as two key men crocked
Video as German ultras bring Euro pyro display to Easter Road 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... With 15 days to go until the season kicks off in earnest with a Europa League qualifier of real import, Hibs marked their return to Easter Road with an entertaining friendly win over opponents rooted in the proud continental history of the club. In a game that produced plenty of chances, a couple of injury scares, a brilliant penalty save AND one or two reminders about the inevitable inconsistency of performances at this stage of pre-season, David Gray's men just held on for a 3-2 win against Rot-Weiss Essen. Two-nil up inside 13 minutes, with Junior Hoilett's exquisite finish following the earliest of openers from Jamie McGrath after just 73 seconds, Hibs were pegged back by two quickfire goals from Essen substitute Dominik Martinovic in the opening exchanges of the second half. With subs aplenty in the second half, including Martin Boyle coming on for Kieron Bowie just after the Scotland striker had hit the post on the hour mark, it was hard for either team to find much of a rhythm over the closing half hour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Boyle banging in a third with his left foot will NOT count towards his competitive total for Hibs. So the wait for a century of goals goes on. What wouldn't everyone at the club give for the skipper hitting the net in Herning in just over a fortnight's time, eh? There was time for late drama as goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, at fault for the visitors' second goal, pulled off a brilliant penalty save from Torben Musel with just three minutes remaining. And even some handbags in injury time as tempers flared in this 'friendy.' In a game that saw all of the summer signings start, a contest that gave David Gray opportunities to try different formations – a 3-5-2 making way for a 4-4-2 after an hour – and new combinations, there would be danger in reading too much into anything. The only reason for playing a team from the 3. Bundesliga, after all, was the fact that Hibs played Essen in their very first European Cup tie way back in 1955. So what did we learn from this Euro throwback encounter at the start of this 150th anniversary year for Hibs? Let's dive in. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lewis Miller and Elie Youan injury updates Miller left the pitch with a knock just after the half-hour mark, while Youan lasted just 17 minutes after coming on as a half-time sub, the French forward applauding fans as he hirpled his way round the outside of the pitch. Gray provided an update on both. 'It's very early but both we're hoping were more precautionary,' he said. 'Millsy was a kick, he's up walking about so we'll have to asses him but we weren't taking any risks. 'Elie felt a stiffness in his back which was hampering him when he was running and you could see that so we weren't taking any risk in making things worse. So hopefully things settle down really quickly.' Junior Hoilett is a stone-cold killer of defences The sheer audacity of it. The quiet, subtle, unhurried certainty with which Hoilett scored the second of Hibernian's goals here … yeah, it kind of underlined the value of getting the Canadian international back on board for another season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Having given him time to speak with his family and weigh up other offers, the Hibs hierarchy were always keen to re-sign a player who made a real impact last season. Played up front here, before being replaced by Youan at half-time, he looked as sharp as ever. McGrath also showed some nice touches, apart from his goal, before he faded in the second half. A few looked leggy at a time when they're still putting in heavy training sessions ahead of the new season. It all went a bit mad for a spell there … Credit Rot-Weiss Essen for dragging themselves back into the contest with two quickfire goals at the start of the second half. But Hibs can't be happy with how they conceded. The first was a tap-in, never a good sign for a defence. And the second? Goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger did not look impressive in being beaten at his near post, from range, by a low shot that could hardly be described as a screamer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Austrian keeper dropped an easy cross into his midriff soon after. Inspiring some inevitable jitters among Hibs fans. But his penalty save was genuinely outstanding, diving full length to his right to stop a decent effort. New/old signings given a chance to shine While Hoilett was his usual clever self, fellow summer re-signing Rocky Bushiri – handed the captain's armband from the start – will have benefited from the 60 minutes here. McGrath scored, Sallinger made amends for his one error, while Josh Mulligan put in a shift. All will feel they have more to offer. And they'll get chances to prove it soon enough. Rot-Weiss ultras lived up to reputation Famed for their passion that saw them draw five-figure crowds even as they languished in the regional leagues, the Essen support turned up in numbers – over 2000 on the night – for this Euro throwback friendly. Now in the third tier of German football, ultra groups flying banners declaring themselves the Red Barons, Wrecking Crew, Northside Crew and even the 'Freaks' put on a pre-match pyro display that would have had local safety officers more than little concerned. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The visiting support, who arrived early and en masse at Easter Road, were loud, enthusiastic and relentless. Imagine what they'll be like if/when Rot-Weiss return to a more deserving position in the Bundesliga pyramid.
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
World Cup hopes and Euro ambitions driving returning Hibs star
Canadian international opens up on football, family and finding drive to carry on 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... Everyone reaches a stage of life where, if they're lucky, they start to prioritise the really rewarding stuff. The projects and challenges guaranteed to put a little extra oomph in the pulse and bounce in the stride. And it says everything about Junior Hoilett's connection with Hibs that he made the 'difficult' family decision to sign on for another season at Easter Road. At the age of 35, the well-travelled veteran from Brampton, Ontario understands that opportunities to fully enjoy his football, to play for something that really matters, may be numbered. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A chance to make his European football debut, and to secure his place in a World Cup likely to include at least one game just along the road from his home town, was simply too good to resist. Even if it meant being separated from his family for one more – maybe one last? - year. A century of Premier League games - but this will be first UEFA campaign 'Especially at my age, when it's the end of your career, you want to come into work with a smile on your face and enjoy every minute of it,' said Hoilett, who joined the Hibs squad at their pre-season training camp in the Netherlands earlier this week, the former Blackburn, QPR, Reading, Cardiff and Aberdeen star adding: 'That's what matters to me most, to enjoy my football. "That's what I've been doing, so another year with the group here and the manager and staff. It was an amazing season last year. To come back this season early, to get pre-season in me, to build on that and have a chance to play in Europe. 'I've never played in Europe before in my career, so it'll be a massive achievement for me to play in Europe and play at the highest level. It'll be a good experience. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Of course, that's something every player wants, to be playing at the highest level. It's something I'm looking forward to as well." The fact that Hoilett, a player with over a century of Premier League experiences, has never tasted UEFA competition underlines the attraction of joining a club like Hibs. Whatever its detractors may say about the Scottish Premiership, being at the business end of this country's elite division does offer obvious European rewards. Europa League qualifiers against Midtjylland hold special appeal For Hoilett, who should be well up to speed by the time those Europa League second qualifying round games against Midtjylland roll around later this month, building on last season's contribution to the Hibs cause also holds out the promise of further international recognition. Despite being left out of the final Canada squad who made it to the quarter-finals of this summer's Concacaf Gold Cup, he's been given encouragement over his future by national team boss Jess Marsch. Revealing that he'd discussed his World Cup chances with the former Leeds United manager, Hoilett – who has 65 caps for Canada – said: 'He spoke to me over the summer as well. Right now, he mentioned that I'm still in his plans, but he wanted to look at younger players and get a feel for other players. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It's good that he still has dialogue with me and keeps me informed on his decisions. I just need to focus on my club situation and hopefully it follows that if I have a good season with the club, hopefully that will mean I can push for the national team." Pointing to the large number of current international players who joined him in sitting out yesterday's first friendly of pre-season, a nil-nil draw with Bundesliga 3 side MSV Duisburg, Hoilett added: "That shows the quality of players we have here, to be playing at the highest level and to be a part of their national team. It shows the quality we have here - and hopefully we get some more." Both Hibs boss David Gray and sporting director Malky Mackay maintained communication with the Hoilett camp over the summer. But both also stressed how keen they were to give the player some breathing space, with the fact that his family are still down south obviously a factor in his final call. Hoilett said: "It was alright, I was just spending some time with family, putting my head down and relaxing. It was my first summer without internationals, so it was good to get my head down and relax. Of course, speaking with the club, of course, they already knew my situation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It wasn't an easy decision for me regarding my family - but it was an easy decision regarding football, because the team has a really family-orientated feel to it. It's a great city, great fans and a great club. "It's a great group on the field and off the field. Everybody's pushing in the right direction; the manager built a great foundation last season, and we just built on it. Everybody wants the best for each other and for the club. "To be fair, I left it all to my agent. Like I said, it was my first summer when I didn't have to go away for internationals, so it was good to spend quality time with family, which is very important to me and relax and recover." Bushiri and Hoilett back - is Sunderland prospect Triantis next? With Hoilett back on board just a few days after Rocky Bushiri confirmed his Easter Road return, and talks aimed at securing Nectar Triantis ongoing, Gray is close to achieving one of his priorities for this close-season in keeping the core of his squad together. It's an ambition shared by many of those who turned things around in such spectacular fashion last year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "We had a great group on and off the field together,' said Hoilett, the attacking playmaker adding: "To have everybody back on board to build on what we did last year is very important, especially to get everybody in early to get a good pre-season and to try to start the season strong where we left off last year. "It's important to get the group back together. Everybody knows each other. It'll be great for us to start the season off strong."
STV News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Junior Hoilett extends stay at Easter Road by signing new Hibs deal
Junior Hoilett has extended his stay at Hibernian by another season after signing a new contract at Easter Road. The Canadian winger has put pen to paper on a deal that will see him remain at the Edinburgh club until next summer. Hoilett scored four goals and assisted another five in 30 appearances last season as he helped David Gray's men to a third-place finish. He has now re-joined his teammates in the Netherlands training camp as they prepare for the upcoming campaign. After the new deal was confirmed on Tuesday, Gray said: 'We're delighted that Junior has agreed to stay with us for the upcoming campaign. 'He played an important role for us last season both on and off the pitch. As a player, he provides us with real quality, composure and calmness. As a person, he's brilliant with the lads in the dressing room. He's a role model for the younger players and is always willing to share his experiences and expertise with his teammates. 'We look forward to working with him over the coming season.' Sporting director Malky Mackay added: 'We wanted to give Junior as much time as possible to make a decision on his future due to his own personal circumstances. Junior is a real family man, and we wanted to make sure that not only him, but his family were settled and comfortable as well. 'As well as being a top professional, he's a really good person, and his role within our squad last year can't be understated. He made a positive difference to our team on the pitch and our squad off it. 'I'm delighted we are together again and look forward to having another one of our leaders back wearing our badge for the coming season.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
