Hibs’ under-20s drew 3-3 with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last night to set up an enthralling showdown with fellow SPFL U20 League title challengers Celtic at Cappielow on Thursday evening (kick off 7pm).
First team squad players Alan Maybury, Abdellah Zoubir, Jason Cummings and Danny Handling (pictured) started the game however Aaron Splaine gave Kilmarnock an early lead before Handling equalised five minutes before the half-time break.
Kilmarnock regained the lead shortly after the re-start through Chris Johnston but two goals in a nine minute spell from Handling and Jason Cummings looked to have secured the three points, but Gros levelled the scoring two minutes from time.
Afterwards Head of Academy Coaching James McDonaugh told Hibernian TV: “I feel for the players to be honest, we went behind early on, but we fought to pull ourselves level at half-time when I felt we probably deserved to be ahead at the break. We went behind again, this time early in the second half, and then we were brilliant.
“We persevered, plugged away and scored two good goals to go ahead. We missed two good chances to make it 4-2 and then we have hit the bar with a few minutes to go and then we were caught on the break.
“It’s a sore one for the players because we put so much into the game and so much into the season, but the big positive from tonight was their performance.”
“We conceded goals, but I don’t think Kilmarnock created much more than the goals they scored, apart from one or two extra chances. I felt overall our performance was good, I thought we defended decently despite conceding three goals.
“We were good in the middle of the pitch, we passed the ball well, but up front we were really good. I thought that Danny and Jason combined really well; they were sharp in and around the box and scored three goals. Scoring three goals away from home and not winning the game, I really feel for the players.”
Hibs’ under-20s are back in SPFL U20 League action on Thursday night against fellow title contenders Celtic at Cappielow, kick off 7pm.
Hibs’ EOS are in Central Taxis First Division action against Hawick Royal Albert at Albert Park on Saturday afternoon, kick off 2.30pm.
Photo by John Preece
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
