Hibernian

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Hibernian now know more clearly who their first opponents will be in Conference League qualifying.

From a list of 86 clubs, European governing body Uefa on Wednesday morning narrowed it down by splitting it into nine groups ahead of the draw at 13:00 BST.

Hibs are one of five seeded clubs in a group of 10, although the total number of potential opponents is nine.

Croatia's Varazdin are one, but the other four potential opponents depend on who wins first qualifying round ties.

It means they could meet the winner of the tie between Vllaznia of Albania and Malisheva of Kosovo, Penybont of Wales against Santa Coloma of Andorra, Mondorf-les-Bains of Luxembourg against Dinamo Tbilisi of Georgia, plus the losers of the Europa League tie between Qarabag of Azerbaijan and Vestri of Iceland.

The two legs of the second qualifying round ties will be played on 23 and 30 July.

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Jason Kerr says joining Hibernian on a two-year deal "is a significant moment for me".

The 29-year-old Scottish defender leaves Wigan Athletic, where he made more than 130 appearances over a five-year spell, to join the club he supported growing up.

Former Scotland Under-21 player Kerr started his career at St Johnstone and played 147 times for the Perth club, also having loan spells at East Fife and Queen of the South.

"It's a well-known secret that I'm a Hibs fan," Kerr told club media. "I was about five or six when I came to Easter Road for my first game. To actually be here as a player is a significant moment for me – I'm buzzing.

"I was out of contract with Wigan and [Hibs head coach David Gray] had seen me play a few times last season. I just felt it was the right move at this stage of my career.

"Hibs are only going one way right now and that's up."

Kerr was part of the Saints side that won the League Cup and Scottish Cup in 2021.

"We had a great season at St Johnstone and I was captain," he said. "We managed to win two trophies, which was extraordinary at the time.

"Then I went to Wigan and soon became captain there as well. I feel those experiences have helped me a lot in my career and they've matured me as both a person and as a player.

"I'll bring a lot of experience, of course, but I'll always give 100% for the badge."

Lifelong Hibernian fan Jason Kerr was due to undergo a medical on Monday amid signing talks after the 29-year-old centre-half came to the end of his contract with Wigan Athletic. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

A striker and centre-half are Hibernian's priorities in the summer transfer window. (Edinburgh Evening News)

Celtic have made preliminary inquiries about 23-year-old former Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie following Hellas Verona's relegation from Serie A. (L'Arena via Daily Record)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

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Midfielder Jacob MacIntyre has signed a new three-year contract with Hibs, keeping him at the club until summer 2029.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan in the Championship with Arbroath, making 36 appearances.

"Jacob is a talented young player who has developed steadily through every age group at the club," said Hibs head coach David Gray.

"We've all seen a big improvement in his development while he trained with the first-team group, while on loan last season. He is a very coachable player with fantastic attributes and he has been brilliant to work with."

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"Well-respected" former Hibernian assistant head coach John Potter has returned to the post five years after exiting Easter Road.

The 46-year-old joins David Gray's backroom team after spending three years with Scottish Championship club Raith Rovers.

Gray took his first steps into coaching while Potter was assistant to Jack Ross with Hibs from 2019-2021 and the head coach is delighted to bring him back

"He understands Hibs inside out and he is someone who has really helped me as both a player and at the beginning of my coaching journey," he told the club website.

"He is a well-respected figure and his knowledge and expertise in the Scottish game will really help us take us forward next season."

Since leaving Easter Road, the former Clyde, Dunfermline Athletic and St Mirren centre-half has himself managed both Dunfermline and Kelty Hearts.

Potter added: "Having known David as both a player and a coach, I was delighted when he approached me about the opportunity.

"I've been really impressed with the way he's stepped into management and the direction he's taking the club.

"Hibs is a club I know well, with a fantastic support and real ambition, so it felt like the right move at the right time."

Forward Thibault Klidje, 24, is expected back at Hibernian for pre-season and head coach David Gray says it was never part of the club's plan to make a loss on last summer's £1.5m signing, despite his January loan move to Randers in Denmark. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Hibernian midfielder Jamie McGrath won the penalty that eventually led to Republic of Ireland's equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Canada in Montreal, Chiedozie Ogbene scoring on the rebound after Troy Parrott's spot-kick was saved. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Hibs will host Brondby in a friendly this summer, 10 years on from the clubs' Europa League meeting.

David Gray's side welcome the Danes to Easter Road on Saturday 18 July (13:00 BST kick-off).

Hibs begin their European campaign five days later, with the first leg of their second-round Conference League qualifier on 23 July.

Former Nottingham Forest and Leicester boss Steve Cooper was sacked by Brondby last month after the club missed out on European football with a fourth-place finish in the Danish Superliga.

Brondby beat a Hibs team, fresh from winning the Scottish Cup and featuring John McGinn and current boss Gray, on penalties following a 1-1 draw when the sides met in Europa League qualifying a decade ago.

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The World Cup kicks off in a week's time and all 48 squads are locked in.

Seven Scottish top-flight clubs have players at the big show in the Americas.

Of the 1,248 players at the tournament, 21 (1.68%) plied their trade in the Premiership in season 2025-26.

Celtic have the biggest representation with eight players, while Rangers are next on seven (including Derek Cornelius, who spent the season on loan from Marseille).

Here is the full list:

Celtic – Alistair Johnston (Canada), Daizen Maeda (Japan), Benjamin Nygren (Sweden), Yang Hyun-jun (South Korea), Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston (both Scotland), Sebastian Tounekti (Tunisia), Auston Trusty (USA).

Rangers – Nicolas Raskin (Belgium), Thelo Aasgaard (Norway), Findlay Curtis, Lawrence Shankland, John Souttar, Liam Kelly (all Scotland), Derek Cornelius (Canada).

Hearts – Cammy Devlin (Australia), Craig Gordon (Scotland).

Hibs – Grant Hanley (Scotland).

Motherwell – Elijah Just (New Zealand).

Kilmarnock – Aaron Tshibola (DR Congo).

Livingston – Tete Yengi (Australia).

West Ham United have made an initial enquiry about Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan, 23, as they prepare for next season in the Championship. (Ben Jacobs on X), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Striker Owen Elding says he turned down offers from bigger clubs to join Hibernian from Sligo Rovers in January because he wanted to play regular senior football rather than play in under-21s. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Hibernian forward Martin Boyle has missed out on Australia's 26-man squad for the World Cup.

The 33-year-old, who has 41 caps, had hoped to impress head coach Tony Popovic in the Socceroos' extended training camp.

But he is one of four players to drop out.

Livingston striker Tete Yengi and former Italy Under-21 winger Cristian Volpato, who are both uncapped, had been late call-ups to the training squad and both will be travelling to the United States.

Yengi had been loaned out to Japanese club Machida Zelvia in January despite his parent club struggling to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership.

However, the 25-year-old caught Popovic's eye after scoring six goals in 22 appearances as his new side finished third in Japan's East Region - and reached the final of the Asian Champions League.

Meanwhile, world governing body Fifa ratified Sassuolo 22-year-old Volpato's decision to switch on Friday.

Hibs forward Ante Suto had already been released from the training squad.

Hibernian are said to be interested in Jakub Lewicki, a 20-year-old Polish left-back who plays for Piast Gliwice. (Transferfeed), external

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Jamie McGrath was happy to leave his girlfriend heading for a Nashville holiday without him after being called up late - and straight into the Republic of Ireland starting line-up - for Thursday's 1-0 win over Qatar.

The 29-year-old Hibernian midfielder was not included in Heimir Hallgrimsson's initial squad for the friendly - and the trip to Canada on 6 June - and was on holiday in Marbella when he was drafted in at short notice due to injuries.

McGrath was handed a 14th cap, his first since a Nations League win in Finland in October 2024, as Ireland beat the World Cup-bound visitors in Dublin.

"I was actually on holiday Sunday night when the gaffer rang me to come in Monday," he said. "I'd only landed about an hour and just went out for dinner - and I had a nice call from the gaffer.

"Once I spoke to him – we have a great relationship, he's brought me in loads of times before – it was a no-brainer.

"I won't not come in unless my leg is hanging off, so it was a quick turnaround. I had other holidays planned this week – my girlfriend actually travelled to Nashville today on her own with two of our mates, so she was trying to get Wi-Fi on the plane to watch it today.

"You have 30 years when you retire to go on holiday. I'm just delighted to get the nod."

McGrath played the whole 90 minutes as the Irish, for whom Celtic centre-half Liam Scales also started, won thanks to Nathan Collins early header, the match was disrupted by tennis balls thrown on to the pitch in protest against upcoming Israel fixtures while both sides lost a player to a red card.

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Scotland defender Grant Hanley admits there were times in his career where he thought competing at the World Cup was out of reach.

The 34-year-old, currently at Scottish Premiership side Hibs, has struggled with injuries throughout his career.

Having missed a month with a hamstring issue in February, the centre-back was forced off against Motherwell in Hibs' final game of the season but is fit and ready for the World Cup.

When asked if there were times he felt reaching a World Cup might not happen from him, Hanley admitted: "Definitely.

"I think that's part and parcel of life and certainly part of a career in football.

"There's loads of highs and probably more lows. There's been some tough and testing periods along the way, but having opportunities like this, that's what really makes it worth it."

Scotland will mark their departure for the United States with a final game at Hampden when they face Curacao in Saturday's friendly.

And while the excitement about reaching a first World Cup in nearly 30 years has been bubbling away, Hanley insists the focus is on doing more.

"I don't think it's a secret that we would like to have performed better and progress further in the last couple of tournaments we've been to," he added.

"Qualifying for them is one thing, but you want to give a good account of yourself and you want to be as successful as we can.

"This one's no different, so full focus on that."

Speaking before head coach Steve Clarke's new contract was announced, Hanley shared his admiration of the Scotland boss.

"I don't think he'd appreciate me commenting on it, but he's certainly been unbelievable for me," the defender said.

"The faith and the trust he's shown in me, for bringing me in and playing me consistently and even times when I was really struggling with injuries and things like that. I think back to the last few Euros, I hadn't really played any.

"He's shown a lot of trust in me, so certainly I will always be grateful for everything the manager's done for me."

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Can Hibs bounce back next season with a third-place finish?

The Easter Road club ended the 2025/26 season fifth, four points behind Motherwell in fourth, and secured a place in Conference League qualifying thanks to Celtic's Scottish Cup win.

Across the city, rivals Hearts topped the table for much of the campaign before narrowly missing out on glory after a final-day defeat to champions Celtic.

Hibs fan Harry McArthur, of the Down The Slope podcast, admits a Hearts title win was a "scary" prospect, but expects a very different top flight next term and is backing David Gray's side to have a strong campaign.

"Overall I think the season was pretty good," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"But when Hearts are top of the league and almost winning it at Celtic Park and just bottling it towards the end, although we had a good feeling on the final day of the season, it was scary.

"All in all, it was a really weird season and I think it sets up for next year to be more exciting.

"Hearts obviously did really well but I think with the context of them having European games, Celtic and Rangers likely strengthening and the fact Hearts did so well will give belief to teams like Hibs, Aberdeen, even Motherwell who had a really good season.

"I think it'll be a really exciting 2026-27 and there's no reason that Hibs can't at least aim to push up to third because I think that it'll be a very different looking league."

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Hibernian forward Ante Suto is among eight players to be released from Australia's World Cup training camp in Florida.

The Croatia-born 25-year-old had never set foot in Australia before he was called up for March friendlies against Cameroon and Curacao and was not selected for either game.

Suto joined Hibs in January from Slaven Belupo and scored four goals in 14 appearances, although he has made just two starts.

Easter Road team-mate Martin Boyle is among the 21 players kept on, along with Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin.

Striker Tete Yengi on loan at Machida Zelvia from Livingston and former Hearts centre-half Kye Rowles are in the wave of eight new arrivals to the camp, with a squad of 26 to be announced by 1 June.

Australia will play US friendlies against Mexico and Switzerland and begin the World Cup against Turkey in Vancouver on 13 June.

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Elie Youan is leaving Hibernian this summer after a four-year stint, the club have confirmed.

Loan players Dan Barlaser, Kai Andrews, Dane Scarlett and Munashe Garananga have returned to their parent clubs.

French forward Youan, 27, initially spent a season on loan at Easter Road before joining on a three-year deal in 2023 for a fee in the high "six figures", according to then manager Lee Johnson.

Youan departs having played 188 games for Hibs, scoring 25 goals and adding 21 assists.

He struggled for game-time this season, making just six starts in 23 outings.

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Hibernian will enter the second qualifying round of the Conference League in July as a consequence of Celtic winning the Scottish Cup.

David Gray's side finished fifth in the Premiership but had to wait to have their European place confirmed. Had Dunfermline won at Hampden, they would have missed out.