Hibernian

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Hibs break new ground when they take on Malisheva on Thursday as the first Scottish club to take on opposition from Kosovo.

David Gray's side may not know too much about the hosts but can expect baking hot conditions in Pristina.

And that experience could help if they progress to face either Shkendija or NK Bravo in the third qualifying round of the Conference League.

North Macedonia is a short hop away, while Slovenia is about a 10-hour drive.

Scotland wilted in the Skopje sunshine back in 2008, with former Hibees Gary Caldwell, Scott Brown, Paul Hartley and Kenny Miller all starting that day, while Shkendija held Aberdeen 1-1 in 2015 before going out on away goals.

Shkendija made their European debut in the 2011–12 campaign and have already amassed 67 Uefa tournament matches.

Hibs are only just ahead on 76, having been invited to play in the inaugural European Cup way back in 1955-56.

The Easter Road side put up promising displays against Midtjylland, Partizan Belgrade and Legia Warsaw last summer but fell short in their league phase quest.

Shkendija did just that for the first time, beating Shelbourne and Slovan Bratislava to finish 22nd in the Conference League before a heavy aggregate loss to Samsunspor in the play-off round.

NK Bravo are European novices though, having climbed through the league system since their formation in 2006.

The Slovenians made their debut in 2024-25 and needed extra-time to get past Welsh club Connah's Quay Nomads before losing out to Zrinjski Mostar.

The first leg of their qualifier with Shkendija will be just their third Uefa fixture.

However, Hibs will need to be careful if they do end up in Llubjana since they were dismantled by a slick Maribor on their last visit to Slovenia 16 years ago, when Bravo were scrapping it out in the depths of the fifth tier.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray admits he is not an expert on Kosovan side Malisheva, who they face in the second round of Conference League qualifying, but insists his side will be fully prepared for Thursday's first leg.

The Kosovan Superleague runners-up beat Albanian side Vllaznia 6-2 on aggregate to reach this stage and having watched those two matches, Gray expects a tough test.

"It's one of those ties you're not too sure - I'm not going to sit here and say I know a lot abut football in Kosovo," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"We watched both games and they fully deserved to go through [against Vllaznia]. They are a physical side, high energy and quite transitional. It will be a tough test, going away from home in Europe.

"The players are ready and will be well prepped. I'm just looking forward to the game now."

Hibs go into the tie off the back of a friendly victory over Brondby on Saturday after a draw against Porto last weekend.

They performed admirably in European qualifying last season, beating Partizan Belgrade in the third round of Conference League qualifying before losing a play-off against Legia Warsaw.

"We came so close last season, had some brilliant nights," Gray said. "We're taking it one game at a time and trying to be the first team to get group stage football for Hibs.

"We've played Porto and Brondby in friendlies and come through well - the players should take confidence from that.

"It's all about the real stuff on Thursday, the players are ready to go, as am I."

Gray says he expects transfers in and out of Easter Road in the weeks to come, but insists he is delighted with the state of his squad after some early business.

"I'm really happy with where the squad's at," he said.

"I don't think you can ever say 'that's the shop closed'. You need to be proactive all the time while the window's open. I'm pleased with the business we've done early - that's a big thing.

"The squad is quite bloated in certain areas, so I expect movement both ways between now and the window closing."

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Hibernian wide man Nicky Cadden will miss Thursday's season opener against Malisheva in Kosovo in the Conference League second qualifying round, but midfielder Jamie McGrath could recover in time.

Head coach David Gray said the pair are his only injury concerns following Saturday's 2-1 win over Brondby at Easter Road in their final pre-season friendly.

Midfielder Callum Wright, the summer arrival from Plymouth Argyle, came off before half-time, but Gray reckons "it's just more precautionary than anything else".

"He was just feeling his thigh a little bit and we're hoping it's just more fatigue and tightness," he said.

"He was one that missed a bit of pre-season at the start with a toe injury."

As for forward Boyle, he "just got some late contact before he came off".

Gray revealed that Cadden and McGrath, who missed the match against the Danes, both have calf issues.

"Nicky will be a wee bit longer, so unfortunately for him, he might be a few weeks, whereas Jamie we're hoping to be back in days rather than weeks, which is more positive on that front," he said.

Gray was particularly pleased with Nathan Lowe, the on-loan Stoke City forward who scored both Hibs goals against Brondby in "another good exercise for the players against a real good opponent".

"He started really well, but it's his all-round play, what he brought to the team was excellent," he added.

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New signing Nathan Lowe scored twice as Hibernian beat friendly opponents Brondby in the Easter Road side's final warm-up before their Conference League qualifiers.

The on-loan Stoke City forward took advantage of a defensive lapse to give Hibs the lead in Edinburgh and he converted captain Martin Boyle's cross for the second.

Patrick Mortensen's penalty reduced Brondby's deficit before half-time.

Recent recruits Adam Mayor and Callum Wright started for David Gray's side and fellow summer signings Jason Kerr and Azeem Abdulai were on the bench, with Kerr replacing Mayor at half-time.

Hibs visit Kosovo's Malisheva for the first leg of their Conference League second qualifying round tie on Thursday (16:00 BST), with the return at Easter Road the following Thursday.

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Can Hibs build on last season's progress and take the next step under David Gray?

Are they genuinely equipped to make a splash in Europe, and have they strengthened enough to challenge at the top end of the Premiership?

Host Charlotte Cohen is joined by Mark Atkinson and Harry McArthur to ask whether Hibs are heading in the right direction, which new signings could make the biggest impact, and if this squad is stronger than the one that fell just short in Europe a year ago.

Listen: European ambition, new signings and big expectations - Hibs SPFL preview

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New Hibernian signing Adam Mayor feels he's "picked the right club" are joining from English Championship side Milwall.

The 21-year-old, who began his youth career with Tranmere Rovers and Preston North End, becomes David Gray's fifth signing of the summer window.

"I think now is probably the most important time in my career to go and push myself and really get going properly," he told club media.

"And I think I've picked the right club where I can go and push on and challenge myself.

"My aim is to just go and create and score as many goals as I can, and obviously as a team we want to go and do well in Europe and finish as high as we can in the league."

Mayor joined Milwall in January 2024 before loan spells as English League Two sides Bromley and, most recently, Cambridge United.

"We're delighted to bring another exciting young player into the building and welcome Adam to Hibernian," head coach David Gray told club media of the defender's arrival.

"He is a promising young player to add to the group, and he has already made successful strides in his career so far.

"There's no doubt Adam will bring real athleticism to the squad. He's a wing-back who really loves attacking and putting crosses into the box and can contribute at both ends of the pitch.

"We're all looking forward to him joining the group and working with him going forward."

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Nathan Lowe believes in setting himself high targets - and the striker is aiming to be the Scottish Premiership's top scorer at the end of his season on loan to Hibernian from Stoke City.

Only 20, the Englishman describes himself as "an old head on young shoulders" and is not making any promises to fans he realises would have been disappointed with last season's fifth-place finish.

But he told Hibs TV: "One thing about me, you can say what you want, but I will be in the area to score goals because that's the only reason I play football.

"That's what gets me up every morning to go and train.

"I don't think I could be a right-back or left-back or anything like that - I was born to be a striker."

Lowe scored 18 goals in half a season on loan to League Two's Walsall, then seven in half a season with Stockport County in League One and four to finish off last season with Wycombe Wanderers, also in England's third tier.

"By no means am I the finished article and I won't be at the end of this loan," he admitted.

"But every season I go into, my aim is to be the top goalscorer in the league.

"At Walsall, I was. Last season, not so much. Hopefully I can add to my tally significantly here."

Lowe was attracted to "a new challenge" of playing different teams and experiencing European football with Hibs.

"Hibs' aim should be third or higher and there's no reason why we can't do that and a good run in Europe and the cup competitions," he added.

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Hibernian have signed Nathan Lowe on a season-long loan from Stoke City, with head coach David Gray saying the forward was the "physical presence" and "natural goalscorer" he had been seeking.

The 20-year-old England Under-19 cap came through the Championship club's youth ranks and has already had loan spells with Walsall, Stockport County and Wycombe Wanderers.

Lowe made his senior debut in February 2023, signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Stoke the following January and has agreed an extension until 2029 to coincide with his loan to the Scottish Premiership.

He has made eight starts and 21 substitute appearances for Stoke, scoring twice, but it was with Walsall in League Two where he was most prolific, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in 30 appearances as he earned the English League Two Young Player of the Year Award.

Last season, he scored 11 as he spent the first half of the season with Stockport and the second with League One rivals Wycombe.

"He brings a great energy and enthusiasm about his play, as well as a physical presence," Gray told his club website.

"He is a natural goalscorer and he has proven that he can score a range of different types of goals.

"He has good experience too, having already played a substantial amount of games at a competitive level despite his young age."

Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters told his club website: "Nathan has no doubt benefitted from the experiences he's had in Leagues One and Two and it speaks to his mature character that he wants to test himself in a new environment in Scotland.

"That he will also gain exposure to playing in European competition is something new and will only help his development.

"We will keep a close eye on his progression."

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Hibernian are "one step closer" to being ready for European football following their 1-1 draw with Porto in Portugal, says head coach David Gray.

Borja Sainz gave Porto the lead shortly before half-time but Felix Passlack levelled during the second period.

"I'm really pleased, and it was a really good exercise for what we set out to do," Gray told club media.

"It was a really good test for the players against a very good side. It was a positive result in the end, but there are a lot of things within it where we can improve."

Saturday's closed doors game at the Jorge Costa Training and Sports Development Centre gave Hibs' valuable game time before they enter the Conference League at the second qualifying round against either Vllaznia lead Malisheva.

Albania's Vllaznia lead their first qualifying round tie 2-1 before Wednesday's second leg in Kosovo and the first leg of the next round takes place on 23 July, with Hibs away from home first.

And Gray said: "It's been a short but beneficial camp and part of the reason we set the trip up was a test for the European campaign in terms of travelling the day before, training when we come over here, then playing the game and flying straight home because some of our players have not played in Europe before.

"I'm really grateful to FC Porto for taking the game on and putting a real strong side out as well. It was a real good test for the players and we'll take a lot of confidence from that and a lot of things to work on moving forward as well.

"We're definitely that one step closer to being ready for the European game."

Recent signings Azeem Abdulai, Jason Kerr and Callum Wright started in a Hibs team captained by Martin Boyle.

"The big thing is always about minutes in the legs and players getting fitter and stronger," said Gray.

"I know we've got the home fixture next weekend against Brondby to look forward to now, where the players are all in really good condition for that one.

"It's our last chance to get significant minutes into players before we go into the real stuff the following Thursday. It'll be a brilliant game.

"Callum missed the first couple of games when he joined, but we got a good 45 minutes out of him today. Azeem went and played 45 minutes during the week for us, and then we pushed him to 60 minutes today.

"Josh Mulligan got 90 minutes today, which he'll massively benefit from, especially when you think back to how his season ended last year.

"The squad is starting to take shape."

Former Easter Road player Liam Fontaine tips fellow defender Jason Kerr to shine at Hibernian. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required, external)

Saturday's Scottish football gossip

Albania's Vllaznia lead Kosovo's Malisheva 2-1 after the first leg of their Conference League first qualifying round tie in Shkoder, with Hibernian awaiting the winner.

Laurent Xhylani gave visitors Malisheva a third-minute lead but Klinti Qato levelled before half-time.

Malisheva had defender Andreas Skovgaard sent off in the second half and Emiljano Musta soon put Vllaznia in front for the first time.

The return leg takes place in Podujeve on Wednesday (15:30 BST).

The first leg of the second qualifying round tie with Hibernian is scheduled for 23 July, with Hibs away from home, and the return is at Easter Road seven days later.

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Hibernian defender Warren O'Hora, 27, puts concerns over his future to one side as he focuses on helping the Easter Road side progress in Europe. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Hibernian head coach David Gray has played down fears of a serious injury for Joe Newell after they finished their pre-season friendly win over Cliftonville with 10 men.

The midfielder went off injured before the end of the end of the 5-1 behind-closed-doors victory in Kildare, Ireland.

"At the end of the game, Joe Newell felt a little bit in his groin - more precautionary more than anything else," Gray told Hibs TV.

"We just finished the game with 10 men rather than putting a player back on, which gave the players another physical and tactical challenge.

"They handled it really well and it was pleasing to see the younger boys, like Zach Bruce, Lewis Gillie and Joseph McGrath, step up and help see the game out without conceding."

Jack Iredale had missed Hibs' first pre-season friendly - a 1-0 defeat by Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday - but the centre-half returned along with players who had been given extra time off due to international duties.

"He got good minutes today and felt no reaction, which is another real positive," Gray added.

"It's been a really good week and it's always nice to top it off with a real good emphatic performance. It was a big step forward from Tuesday night."

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Thibault Klidje scored twice as Hibernian continued their pre-season preparations with a 5-1 friendly win away to Cliftonville.

The 24-year-old Togo striker was signed for a club-record fee last summer but moved to Danish side Randers on loan in January after scoring four goals in 30 appearances.

New arrival Jason Kerr headed the Edinburgh side in front from an Owen Elding cross.

Cliftonville captain Rory Hale levelled before a deflected shot from Nicky Cadden restored Hibs' lead.

With the visitors creating a host of chances, Martin Boyle drilled in a third before half-time.

Klidje was introduced immediately after the interval and soon nodded in from close range as Kerr helped the ball on from a corner.

Playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men after a knock for skipper Joe Newell, Klidje wrapped things up with an emphatic finish from a Chris Cadden pass.

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Azeem Abdulai has targeted joining new Hibernian teammate Josh Mulligan in the Scotland squad after his transfer from Leyton Orient.

The Glasgow-born 23-year-old started as a youth with Celtic, but it was with Swansea City that he first tasted senior football.

"Playing down in England is what a lot of people want to do. I started down there and I managed to get a good number of games to stand me in good stead for playing at Hibs," the midfielder told Hibs TV.

"As soon as I heard about the interest, I wanted it done straight away.

"Coming back home is a big thing and the club's massive as well. It was a no-brainer."

Abdulai hopes the switch from England's League One to playing alongside the likes of Mulligan will improve his chances of international recognition.

"It is a massive ambition of mine," he said. "I have a few friends playing in the league, so I was just intrigued to see it for myself.

"My aim is just to do well with Hibs and from there go to the national team."

Abdulai added that Hibs fans can expect a player who is all about "pure running", describing himself as "a defensive midfielder or I can play anywhere in the midfield".

"I like to win the ball back, I like to play forward, I like to get on the ball and just help my team," he added.

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Hibernian have signed "athletic, aggressive, technically secure" former Scotland Under-21 midfielder Azeem Abdulai from Leyton Orient for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has been given a three-year contract by the Scottish Premiership club.

Born in Glasgow, Abdulai came through the Celtic, Leicester City and Swansea City youth ranks before making his first-team breakthrough with the Welsh club.

He was sold to Orient in January 2025 and has since made 65 appearances for the League One club, 41 of them last season, 22 of them starts, as they finished 20th of the 24 teams.

Hibs head coach David Gray told his club website: "Azeem is exactly the profile we wanted – he's athletic, aggressive, technically secure on the ball and will play box-to-box.

"He gives us more options in the midfield area and that creates a healthy competition for places."

Abdulai, who had a year left of his Orient contract, becomes Hibs' third addition this summer following the arrival of centre-half Jason Kerr from Wigan Athletic and midfielder Callum Wright from Plymouth Argyle.

Hibernian are continuing their search for a traditional number nine but are not expected to revive interest in Scotland and Charlton Athletic 30-year-old Lyndon Dykes. (Hibs Observer, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Hibernian opened their pre-season programme with a 1-0 defeat by Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday, as head coach David Gray reported encouraging news about Rudi Molotnikov.

Luke O'Regan's goal in the first half was enough to secure victory for the hosts.

Gray gave minutes to Hibs youngsters Zach Bruce, Lewis Gillie, Josh McDonald, Joseph McGrath and Jacob MacIntyre in Dublin.

And the head coach told club media: "We probably looked like a team that's been working hard in the last seven days versus a team that has been playing together probably for the last three or four months and is up to speed.

"There were no severe injuries but a few bumps and bruises because it was a physical game, but it was a really good test and that's exactly what we needed at this stage of pre-season.

"Of course we're disappointed to lose the game, as there was no such thing as a friendly, and I just said that to the boys as well, and the players know that, but it is about the minutes in the legs at this stage of the season."

International players Martin Boyle, Grant Hanley, Jamie McGrath and Jordan Obita did not feature while Josh Campbell, Owen Elding and Callum Wright missed out.

And Gray said there had been "really positive news" regarding long-term injury absentee Rudi Molotnikov.

"He's trained fully with the international boys, the smaller group this morning, and came through that, which is excellent, and by the end of the week, he'll be fully integrated into training, which is excellent for him," Gray explained.

"We probably won't see him play this weekend [against Cliftonville]. It's a bit soon for that, but it's really good to have him around the group again, and he'll benefit from a real strong pre-season now."

A toe issue prevented new Hibernian defender Callum Wright featuring in Tuesday's friendly loss to Shamrock Rovers. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Celtic remain keen on Zambia midfielder Miguel Chaiwa and would consider a £5m bid for the 22-year-old but are unwilling to meet the reported £7m price tag set by Hibernian. (Football Insider), external

Hibernian have told potential suitors that they have no interest in selling Miguel Chaiwa this summer, despite the 22-year-old Zambia midfielder being consistently linked with Celtic and a host of English clubs. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.