Hibs welcome new arrivals for Under 20s squad

Hibs’ Head of Academy Coaching James McDonaugh yesterday  welcomed the new intake of players, Sean Brennan, Jordan McGregor, Lewis Allan and Conner Duthie, into the full-time under-20 squad and revealed striker Cody Mulhall is still on the road to recovery.

Goalkeeper Brennan and striker Allan both featured as second half substitutes during last weekend’s 4-0 friendly win at Vale of Leithen and McDonaugh says he is excited about helping to develop more future first team players.

McDonaugh told the club website: “Some players have progressed up into the first team while others have left, so we’ve promoted some players into the under-20 squad on a full-time basis.

“This coming season presents us with a fresh challenge as we look to integrate the new players into the squad and ensure everybody is playing the way the Head Coach wants them to play.”

“Sean has already been with the club for a number of years and he is a big Hibs supporter.

“He performed consistently well for the under-17s last season and helped the team to win the East of Scotland Shield.

“He has a lot to learn and a lot to work on technically, but he definitely deserved his chance to become part of the squad.

“I don’t think Sean was expecting to feature so soon for the first team, albeit against Vale of Leithen.

“That experience will give him confidence and make him more familiar with being around the first team environment.

“Jordan is a big centre-half, who is already over 6ft 2 and still has some growing left in him, and he played for the under-17s last season.

“He has still got a lot to learn, but he has raw potential and he is one that we can see progressing further once he fills out physically and works on his use of the ball.

“Jordan and Sean were the backbone of the under-17s squad that won the East of Scotland Shield last season.

“Conner also played in the East of Scotland Shield win after joining us from Hearts.

“He has trained full-time with the under-20s since January and we’ve had a close look at him.

“He played in the East of Scotland League last season and he scored two outstanding goals against Lothian Thistle in the Cup.

“Conner now has an opportunity to step up and perform for the under-20s during what will be a long and demanding season.

“Since we’ve come back for pre-season, he has impressed me with his attitude and he is maturing into becoming a good professional.

“A year ago, Lewis left the under-17s and he was probably disappointed that he wasn’t offered a full-time contract with the under-20s.

“But at that time I just didn’t feel he had done enough to get a contract at that time, although I recognised there was something there that could be developed.

“To be fair to Lewis, he showed a brilliant attitude – he came in two days a week and didn’t get paid plus he had to come up from the Borders, which was a massive commitment from him and his family.

“He worked really hard on his game and really from Christmas onwards there was a massive improvement in him. His confidence grew and he started to score goals regularly in the East of Scotland League – he managed seven or eight goals in a short space of time.

“His strength and size is a big asset and now he has been involved with the first team for the friendly at Vale of Leithen. Hopefully Lewis will be able to kick on as well.”

Republic of Ireland under-19 striker Mulhall has been sidelined with a serious knee injury since October, but McDonaugh reveals the Kildare lad, who had scored nine goals before his set-back, is continuing to make progress.

He added: “Cody is still a wee while away from being available for selection again – he has been out since October with his knee injury.

“Not only does he have to recover from his injury, but he also has to get himself match fit too. He still has got a bit to go.

“He started off last season really well and we’re keen to get him back fit as soon as possible – every member of the squad will have an important role to play.”

Hibs under-20s will participate in the newly-rebranded SPFL Development League which enables clubs to field an extra overage player, although McDonaugh stresses the primary focus will be on ensuring youth players learn how to make the grade at first team level.

He said: “I believe we can field and extra overage player in the league this season, but we are going to focus first and foremost on selecting youth players, so that they’re ready for the first team.

“Last season we fielded quite a few overage players, but that had a disadvantage to the youth players because it meant they didn’t get a game unless they played in the East of Scotland League.

“I think the new Head Coach will still use the games for first team players, but only occasionally.

“We’ve got a young squad next season and, as I’ve said on numerous occasions before, my main focus is on developing players and not results.”

Hibs have confirmed under-20 players, Ryan Baptie, Jamie Beaton, Andrew Black, Jay Doyle, Dougie Horne, Euan Smith and Robert Wilson have all left the club.