The 2022/23 campaign has been another resounding success for the Hibernian FC Academy.
We took a look back at some of the highlights from within the Hibernian FC Academy and Development Squad over the course of the 2022/23 season.
UEFA Youth League Adventure
Following the back of winning the CAS Elite U18 league the previous campaign, the wee Hibees earned the right to represent Hibs in Europe, participating in the UEFA Youth League for the first time in the Club’s history.
At the start of the season, it would be difficult to foresee just how successful – and dramatic the U19s UEFA Youth League journey would turn out to be.
Under the stewardship of Steve Kean, Gareth Evans and Darren McGregor – the wee Hibees were drawn against Norwegian side Molde in the first round. After a bus, three flights and a short ferry later – the wee kicked off their European adventure in the Aker Stadion.
A tightly contested 1-0 defeat followed, against a physical Norwegian side with Murray Johnson pulling off several key saves to keep us in the tie – all to play for at Easter Road.
Back in Edinburgh, the wee Hibees came out flying with Jacob Blaney and Malik Zaid on target in a 2-1 victory to send the game to penalties. In front of several thousand Hibs fans, the young Hibees were ruthless from the spot converting all five penalties with the help of Johnson’s fingertips/the woodwork to send us into the next round.
Up next, FC Nantes and another memorable night under the lights at Easter Road with Ethan Laidlaw’s penalty the difference between the sides – a 1-0 victory and a slender lead to take to France.
The return leg followed in similar, dramatic fashion. The young Hibees conceded early but hit back almost instantly through Josh O’Connor before Rudi Molotnikov’s strike sealed a 2-1 victory at the Stade Marcel-Saupin. A counter-attacking masterpiece full of courage, commitment and passion from the first whistle to the last.
That meant the young Hibees reached the Play-Off Round, where we met Champions League opposition in the shape of Borussia Dortmund.
Over 7,000 supporters watched yet another gripping cup tie and another European fairy tale looked written in the stars when Jacob Blaney headed in from Robbie Hamilton’s set-piece to give us the lead against the German giants.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, with Dortmund scoring twice in the final 20 minutes to turn the game on its end inflicting late heartbreak for the wee Hibees.
Successful Loan Moves
With the UEFA Youth journey coming to an end in February, that gave several members of the squad the chance to get some senior First Team minutes under their belts, out on loan.
Robbie Hamilton enjoyed a fruitful spell at Stirling Albion helping the Binos lift the cinch League Two title.
Kanayo Megwa made nine starts for Kelty Hearts in League One, with Josh McCulloch and Jacob Blaney spending time at Albion Rovers and Stenhousemuir respectively.
Murray Johnson spent two emergency loans with Airdrieonians where the 18-year old won the Club’s Player of the Month award in August.
Hibs Development Squad
Alongside their loan moves, they also played for the Hibs Dev Squad who enjoyed a successful campaign. The Dev Squad cruised to the cinch Reserve League title – completing an unbeaten season which saw the Hibees win seven games, draw twice and score 21 goals in the process.
Outwith the cinch Reserve League, the squad played various different friendlies against English opposition – recording impressive victories over both Newcastle United and Middlesbrough.
The Dev Squad also gave Lee Johnson the opportunity to give extra minutes to some of the Hibs First Team squad returning from injury or in need of more playing time, whilst helping to bridge the gap between youth and senior football.
The likes of Kanayo Megwa, Murray Aiken, Murray Johnson, Josh O’Connor, Malik Zaid, Jacob Blaney, Oscar MacIntyre and Robbie Hamilton all featured regularly for the Dev Squad and all extended their contracts with the Club during the 2022/23 campaign.
First Team Experience
Academy graduates Josh O’Connor, Jacob Blaney and Oscar MacIntyre all added more senior First Team minutes in Hibs green and white, complementing Josh Campbell, Ryan Porteous and Kevin Dabrowski who all came through the Academy and featured for the First Team this season.
Not to mention Hibernian FC stalwarts, Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson – who now have over 1,100 senior appearances between them.
Transitional Year for U18s
With several members of last year’s U18s graduating to the Hibs Dev Squad, the 2022/23 campaign was always going to be a transitional year for the current U18 group, who were mainly aged 16.
With that said, Gareth Evan’s young side finished a respectable sixth in the CAS U18 Youth League, winning 12 games in total – which included impressive wins over Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen and Rangers.
International Recognition
On the international front, there were several young Hibees who represented their country over the course of the 2022/23 campaign.
Josh Landers and Rory Whittaker were called up to Scotland’s Under-16s.
Rudi Molotnikov, Jacob MacIntyre and Owen Hastie all represented Scotland U17, helping the Young Scots qualify for the U17 UEFA Championships, before representing their country at the finals in Hungary.
At U19 level, Jacob Blaney, Murray Johnson and Murray Aiken all made their international debuts representing the Scots during their U19 Euros qualifying campaign, with Ethan Laidlaw called up to Scotland U18 duty.
Johnson’s performances clearly impressed with the youngster receiving a call-up to Billy Stark’s Under-21 Scotland Squad in March.
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