Highly rated Hibs teenager joins Airdrieonians on loan

Hibs highly rated teenage goalkeeper Murray Johnson has joined Scottish Championship side Airdrieonians on loan. 

The 19-year-old will stay with The Diamonds for the entirety of the 2024/25 season as there’s no recall option. 

Managed by Rhys McCabe, Airdrieonians finished fourth in the second-tier of Scottish football and won the SPFL Trust Trophy, in what was a successful season for the Club. 

This move will be the next step in the development of Murray Johnson, who has had two previous loan spells in Scottish football. Aged just 17, the young ‘keeper impressed during his month-long spell with Airdrieonians, winning Player of the Month and keeping three clean sheets in six games. 

 His following loan spell with Queen of the South started well as he kept a clean sheet on his debut, however, that was cut short as he returned to Hibs as cover following injuries to senior goalkeepers. 

On Johnson’s loan move, Hibernian FC’s Sporting Director Malky Mackay commented: “This is the perfect next step for Murray and an opportunity for him to gain regular game-time at a competitive level. 

“Murray is a young ‘keeper that we hold in high regard and to continue his upward trajectory, he needs to play senior football week-in, week-out. 

“Playing for Airdrieonians will provide him with new experiences and tests that he’s not experienced regularly before. We have good relationship with Airdrie and having had three players on loan with them last season, we know they are a club that believes in young players and gives them an opportunity. Everyone is looking forward to following Murray’s progress closely.”