Latest news with #LewisStevenson
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Special goal' - Hibs striker Bowie delivers moment of magic
"Superlatives wouldn't do Kieron Bowie justice," Hibernian legend Lewis Stevenson raved. "He's going to have an amazing career."Superlatives are what will come Bowie's way though, and in spades, after the Scotland striker helped Hibs into a Conference League qualifying play-off with a breath-taking 59 minutes at Easter Road, with Hibs 2-0 down to Partizan Belgrade on the night and level on aggregate, Bowie arrested Partizan's momentum with a first-time shot from at least 35 yards out that flew into the back of the net off the post."I thought I'd seen a few good goals already this season," head coach David Gray said. "The one against Kilmarnock at the weekend was incredible - I think Kieron's is better."Add to that the emotion, the environment, where he's done it. It was a special goal at a special time." Bowie suffered an injury-hit first season at Easter Road, scoring six goals in 22 appearances, but has started this season superbly, finding the back of the net three times in six man himself was poetic in his description of his third - and undoubtedly best so far this term. "I just hit it and thankfully it took the spiderwebs off the back of the net," Bowie said. "Moments like this, that's why I've come here.""It's the best goal I've seen," team-mate Chris Cadden said. "Ridiculous. What a finish." Hibs come through 'massive test of character' Hibs went into Thursday's second leg as strong favourites given their excellent showing in Belgrade, but their two-goal lead slipped away in alarming fashion as goalkeeper Jordan Smith pushed Milan Vukotic's long-range effort into the top corner before allowing Jovan Milosevic's tame effort to squirm under trudged off at half-time to howls of dismay from the home supporters, but Gray believes the break came at a good time for his side."For large spells of the first half the shape was really good, we had the better chances and then there's obviously a couple of mistakes," Gray said."The character was certainly tested. Half-time came at a good time - I was able to calm them down and then it's all about character."And they showed their character through Bowie's inspired strike and through a string of Smith saves, who put his first-half horror show behind him admirably."I'm delighted for Jordan for his second-half performance," Gray said. "He made big saves at big times."Gray was keen to point out that his team's character was then tested tie looked done. Hibs were through, 3-2 up on aggregate with 30 seconds left of time added was before Partizan's Andrej Kostic swept home in the 96th minute to force extra-time."The game became stretched, we lost control at times," Gray said. "You think you're over the line and then you have to go again for another 30 minutes."Now it's all done and dusted there will be improvements to come from it, but that's for another night."
The Courier
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
John Potter explains what Raith Rovers will look for in new summer signings
John Potter admits Raith Rovers would like to lower the age of their squad with the players they sign this summer. But the Stark's Park technical director insists the type of player is what matters most. The Kirkcaldy outfit upped their average age with last summer's recruitment when they snapped up Hibernian duo Lewis Stevenson, now 37, and Paul Hanlon, now 35. With the likes of Callum Fordyce, Josh Mullin, Scott Brown, Shaun Byrne and Dylan Easton all 30 or over, and both Ross Matthews and Lewis Vaughan aged 29, Rovers have one of the oldest squads in the Championship. They did partly address that balance 12 months ago with the capture of teenagers Lewis Gibson and Kai Montagu, whilst January signing Jordan Doherty is 24. However, Potter – who leads on recruitment with manager Barry Robson – is aware of the issue as he hunts for fresh faces ahead of next season. 'Yes, we would like to,' Potter told Courier Sport when asked about bringing down the age profile of the Rovers squad. 'But I'm never really too hung up on that. 'People can talk about it, but Lewis Stevenson is 37 and played more minutes than anybody else last season. Paul Hanlon is 35 and is very similar. 'So, I think the type is more important. 'We would like to do it, but we need to bring in different types of players. Yes, age is a little bit part of that – but there's other factors as well.' With five players released at the end of their deals and a further four loanees having departed, Raith remain in discussions with another five players over fresh terms. And, with just 14 under contract as it stands, one of them being outcast Sam Stanton, there is plenty of scope for Robson to put his stamp on his squad ahead of next season. 'It's busy, we're trying to get things done,' added Potter. 'We've got to do our work, we've got to try and get some players in. 'It can be frustrating, because sometimes people aren't in as big a rush as you are to get things done. 'I think players in general nowadays can be a bit more relaxed on where they're going to go and in the decisions that have been made. 'And the season's not even finished yet for some clubs, so it's still very early. 'But we've got a lot of work to do. It's about trying to improve our squad so we can hit the ground running when we're back in.'
