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Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jamie McGrath reveals the truth about his Hibs glory goal as recruit jokes about Aberdeen transfer redemption
The summer addition made an impact in the Conference League after his summer switch from the Dons New Hibs hero Jamie McGrath has revealed his free kick goal was off the cuff - but it was meant. The midfielder marked his debut with the opening goal in the 1-1 draw away to Midtjylland that has given the Hibees the advantage going into Thursday's Easter Road Europa League qualifying return. McGrath scored with a near post free kick, which keeper Jonas Lossl fumbled in at his near post. Hibs manager David Gray suggested it may have been a cross but McGrath claimed he saw the keeper leaving a big gap and exploited it. McGrath confirmed: 'Yes, me and Jordan stood over the ball and we just had a brief chat, We kind of spotted the keeper cheating a little bit. "I was like, yes, I'll whip it into the near post. Worst case scenario, the keeper catches it, but best case, we obviously scored.' McGrath had joked before the game that he had to pay back his teammates because he had been part of Aberdeen 's Scottish Cup-winning squad that had cost them a guaranteed place in the group stages. The last goal he scored in Europe was also a free kick for Aberdeen against PAOK a few seasons ago. The 28-year old acknowledged: 'I had to make it up to them some way! It was obviously a nice start, nice to get my first competitive goal. 'Yes, it was a free kick (for Aberdeen) as well. It is a nice trend. Hopefully we get a free kick next week. It's obviously nice to help the boys out.' Hibs were denied a famous win by another set piece straight out of the top drawer from Midtjylland's Aral Simsir. McGrath insisted it was no thing of beauty for Hibs. He stated: 'No, I never admire it. 'You're just thinking, oh no!. 'There wasn't much we could have done about it. Maybe foul the player a bit earlier in that attack. 'It's always when you look back, you can change different things. 'The pleasing thing was how we defended the box. From the front, I thought we defended really well. The two boys up top worked their socks off and the boys that came in as well carried on the trend. I think probably a draw was a fair result. 'But yeah, they're used to being in the Champions League, so we probably would take a draw going into next week.' McGrath knows from experience that it is fine margins at this level and it could have been so different if VAR hadn't ruled out Martin Boyle's goal that would have given Hibs a 2-0 lead. 'I think overall we defended the box really well,' McGrath insisted. 'We kind of limited them to a moment of magic that obviously equalised the game. 'I think if we were a little bit tidier on transitions, we could have maybe capitalised on that a bit better, especially in the second half. Martin Boyle was very close to being onside at all. 'I didn't see it back, but he obviously was offside if VAR gave it. But, of course there's positives to be taken from tonight. We're going back to a home game next week. I think that's what we aim to do, is bring it back there. 'But, it's only halfway, we can't get too excited. We'll bring it back next week and give ourselves a chance.' There were more than 1,000 Hibs fans in the MCH Arena. McGrath admitted that they were everywhere - even in their Herning hotel. He was delighted to give them something to celebrate and wants them to play their part at Easter Road next week. The former St Mirren and Dundee United player joked: 'Yes, waking us up this morning! 'You could hear them outside the window all day. I don't know if there's much to do around here, but they've been brilliant. 'Hopefully they'll have a good night tonight and get back safe tomorrow. Like I said, Easter Road will be jammed next week. 'I'm really looking forward to it now.' McGrath wants them to make full use of it and finish off the job at Easter Road. The winners face a tie against Fredrikstrad in the third qualifying round and McGrath wants that rather than the consolation of dropping down into the Conference League. McGrath, who scored Hibs goal in Denmark, warned: 'It's only halfway, both teams feeling each other out as well. 'It's going to be a completely different game next week as well. 'We know that. We can't get too high or too low. We have to address it the same way as we addressed it this week. But we have that little edge with the home fans on our side next week.' It might look like Hibs have done the hard part in Denmark but McGrath knows from bitter experience that you need to do the business at home. He was part of the Aberdeen team who battled back to a 2-2 draw away to BK Hacken and then lost the return in a Europa League qualifier at Pittodrie. The new signing warned: 'That's the thing, Europe can switch in the flick of a switch. We know we have to address it like we have done this week. 'We know in Europe if you switch off for a minute you get punished. We're going to have to be on our A game next week to give ourselves a chance to get through.'
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jamie McGrath reveals Hibs dressing room ribbing over Aberdeen group stage guarantee snatch
McGrath was serenaded by celebrating Dons with 'Hibs are falling apart again' after Scottish Cup triumph Jamie McGrath has taken dogs' abuse from his new team-mates for costing them automatic group stage football – now he wants to make it up to them by getting Hibs there via the qualifiers., writes Scott Burns in Denmark. The summer signing was part of Aberdeen 's Scottish Cup-winning side that cost David Gray's third-placed outfit a guaranteed first crack at the Euro sections. It also meant their summer break was cut short – and the Hibs dressing room haven't been shy in letting McGrath know their thoughts. Ahead of the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round clash against Midtjylland in Denmark tonight, McGrath said: 'Yes, that's the first thing that happened as soon as I walked in. There has been a bit of banter floating around. 'I think I cut the lads' pre-season short as well. I made the decision early on, so to go on and win the Cup was absolutely amazing, memories I'll never forget. But like you said, the boys haven't let me forget it. 'But no, now that I'm here, I'm really looking forward to the next period of my career and hopefully we can get into group stage football.' The Republic of Ireland cap experienced that with the Dons when they played PAOK, Eintracht Frankfurt and HJK two seasons ago, and knows how big it could be for Hibs to get on the big stage. He said: 'That's where everybody wants to be. It's what the lads worked so hard for last year as well. We have to try to give a good account of ourselves as best we can. 'The club seems to be on an upward trajectory and I'm delighted to be here now and just can't wait to get going.' McGrath believes Hibs can go into their European campaign with confidence and looking to kick on from where they finished last term. He said: 'You've seen from Christmas the run that the boys were on, the momentum and how everybody was pulling in the right direction together. 'There's no reason for that to stop just because the lads took a few weeks off. 'I'm really looking forward to playing with the boys. I can't wait to make my first competitive appearance and try to help the boys out as best I can. 'Looking at the scenes after games and stuff, it seems to be a place really on the up. There's no reason why we can't continue that into the new season.' McGrath first played in Europe while still in Ireland with St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk before doing it again with Dundee United and Aberdeen. He said: 'Yeah, I've had a bit of experience of it in the past, even back to early days in the League of Ireland. 'I'd like to think I've played a good number of European games now. 'They're the best nights, I think, of your career. The ones you always kind of remember. There's just a different feel to a domestic game. 'It's all the buzz around it, the travelling, new stadium, learning how different teams play. It's very exciting.' European regulars Midjtylland are favourites but McGrath is confident that Hibs can set things up nicely for next week's second leg. He said: 'We have to put our best foot forward. We'll have a game plan ready to rock, bring it back to Easter Road and hopefully get through. 'I know they're used to group stage football and all that goes with that, but we're really looking forward to it. 'It's obviously a very tough tie, but the lads showed last year they're more than capable of beating anybody.'
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Aberdeen transfer state of play as striker latest delivered and Jimmy Thelin targets 'new dynamic'
The Dons boss wants another frontman to add to the seven signings he has already made this summer Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is confident his summer recruitment drive has brought a new dynamic and hunger to his Scottish Cup-winning squad. The Swede has already made significant changes to his team, bringing back Alfie Dorrington on-loan and signing Nicolas Milanovic, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Kusini Yengi, Nick Suman, Kjartan Mar Kjartansson and Adil Aouchiche. Thelin is still looking to add to his squad further with another striker his priority but knows he will have to play the waiting game to get the targets he wants. The Aberdeen boss confirmed: 'You always have to change a little to get a new dynamic and a new hunger. You need to keep the hunger inside the team to create a good healthy competition within a squad. 'Quality is also important but the character and as a player are the most important things. You need to have a good team spirit. Everyone needs to be clear about their role and expectations and the hard work you need as a professional player today and for Aberdeen FC.' The good thing for those who have remained at Pittodrie is that they have got over the line and know what it means to win something with Aberdeen. Thelin knows that will fuel them to even more success and with the added burden of European group stage football. He admitted: 'When you get to a final and you win it, I think the players will grow with this experience. 'They will feel they can do it and there will be more time together. 'It was my first year with the players. I was trying to understand the culture and getting to know everyone in a better way. 'I will try and use the players better with their strengths. 'The energy of the club is so important. 'Throughout the season, even in the tough times, Pittodrie was almost a full house and even in the away games. 'We tried to use that in a positive way and never stop believing. 'A lot of good clubs are trying to challenge for everything. 'This season we go to Europe and have four competitions, the more we are together the stronger we are going to be. 'We have to work hard, believe and push for it.' The go-to word for Thelin last season was 'believe' and that certainly happened as they lifted their first Scottish Cup in 35 years. It provided the fairytale to his first season at Pittodrie. He stated: 'It has been quite an exciting year. It has been a little bit up and a little bit down and, of course, the final was amazing. 'The feelings you feel that day and the days after with the players, staff, fans and people of Aberdeen was one of the best moments of my life, to get exposed to this. 'Especially when you work so hard together. The belief was there the whole season. 'There were some challenging parts but the belief was there. 'We can add and to finish the season in that way was a really happy day for everyone around the club. 'The whole week was trying to remember but sometimes it is difficult because there are so many emotions. The whole week was built-up to the final. We had a tough end to the season and it was how can we win this game? 'The build-up was really good, now you can look after the final. The players stepped forward and weren't hiding. 'They took responsibility and we also changed the system for this game. 'We worked hard in a short space of time to believe we could do it.' The Scottish Cup win is now in the history books and now for the manager it is what his Aberdeen team can do going forward. 'I haven't looked back on last season too much,' the former Elfsborg coach claimed. 'The new season starts soon. 'We are all proud of the cup win but now we plan and hopefully for an even better future. 'I hope we can be better, in some parts of the game where we can control the game a little better. 'I don't want to lose the spirit and intensity of the pressing but to be more stable, especially in the away games.'
Edinburgh Reporter
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs host Bolton Wanderers this afternoon in Darren McGregor's testimonial
Hibs host Bolton Wanderers this afternoon for a pre-season friendly at Easter Road Stadium in Darren McGregor's Testimonial match. The match will kick-off at 2pm and will commemorate McGregor's magnificent service to the Club as both a Scottish Cup-winning defender and as the head coach of the Under-19s side. While McGregor can sadly no longer play in the match, he will still meet supporters inside Easter Road Stadium, and in the hospitality suites, alongside walking out onto the pitch for an interview to thank the Hibs fans for their support. Bolton Wanderers will compete in the English third tier this upcoming season after finishing eighth last season, with a tough end to their 2024/25 league campaign seeing them place two spots outside the promotion play-off positions. Aaron Collins, the Wanderers' 2024/25 top scorer, has since departed for MK Dons, though the English club have brought in Sam Dalby, who Hibs fans will recognise from his loan spell at Dundee United last season. Steven Schumacher's first team squad have played three friendlies so far this summer, most recently defeating Barrow 1-0 just four days after defeating South African outfit Orlando Pirates 2-0 in Marbella, Spain. The last time the two sides met was in a pre-season friendly back in 2007! Steven Fletcher opened the scoring for the Hibees with David Murphy and Abdessalam Benjelloun also on target at Easter Road. Tickets are priced from £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. Please note, all 2025/26 Season Ticket Holders will receive a special discount for this fixture as part of their benefits package. Please note, tickets are only available in the West Stand for home supporters. Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Aberdeen snap up former PSG and Premier League starlet as he hails ‘huge club in Scotland and Europe'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ABERDEEN have snapped up French attacking midfielder Adil Aouchiche on loan from Sunderland. The 22-year-old former PSG starlet has agreed a 12-month deal, and the Dons have an option to buy next summer. 3 Aberdeen have signed Sunderland midfielder Adil Aouchiche on loan Credit: Getty 3 He has played at youth level for France and European champions PSG Credit: Sportsfile 3 Jimmy Thelin hailed Aouchiche's attacking qualities and technical ability Credit: Willie Vass Ace Aouchiche, capped up to Under-20 level with France, has flown to meet Jimmy Thelin's squad in Portugal. He said: "It's a special feeling to sign for Aberdeen. "The best move for me is to come here. "Everyone knows that it's a huge club in Scotland and Europe. "I had a really positive and important talk with the manager, and he made me feel like I was wanted here. "I will try to bring everything to my team-mates. "I want to achieve things at Aberdeen and hopefully make some good memories." Dons boss Thelin wants to take his new-look squad to the next level ahead of guaranteed European league-phase football this term. He said: "We're delighted to welcome Adil to Aberdeen. "He's a technically gifted player who brings creativity and strong attacking instincts to our midfield. Aberdeen's Scottish Cup-winning heroes greeted by thousands on open top bus parade through the city after beating Celtic "At just 22, he has already played at a high level in France and in England. "Adil's experience, coupled with his desire to keep improving makes him a really exciting addition to the group, and we believe that this is a great environment for him to thrive." Meanwhile, Dons scout Erik Edman insists that they can lure top Scandinavian prospects by being a pathway to England. The ex-Spurs and Sweden star is also No 2 at Swedish minnows Hittarp. Edman said: "We want to be a bridge to England. "It's a selling point Aberdeen have, maybe. "As an example, we took Alexander Jensen last winter, who played for Brommapojkarna at right-back. "He has been very good with us. "The Scandinavian mentality is quite similar to the Scottish one, in terms of culture and the level. "It happens very rarely an Allsvenskan player goes straight to the Premier League. "The intermediate step is often very useful from a career perspective." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
