Hibs started their pre-season campaign with a goalless draw against MSV Duisburg in the Netherlands.
Chances were few and far between in the high temperatures.
Head coach David Gray used the opportunity as a good chance to get minutes into the legs of several players, with the likes of Jamie McGrath, Rafael Sallinger (pictured) making their first appearances for the Club – whilst Elie Youan also returned after missing a large part of the 2024/25 campaign through injury.
Academy youngsters, Dean Cleland, Lewis Gillie, Joseph McGrath, Logan Jimenez and Rory Whittaker all got important match minutes at First Team level.
The Hibees started the match with real intensity and purpose to their play.
There were good early touches from Lewis Gillie, Dean Cleland and Jacob MacIntyre who all look at ease stepping into the First Team.
The first real chance of the game fell to Cleland after a flowing counter-attacking move. MacIntyre linked up well with Chris Cadden, before Josh Campbell picked out Youan who pulled it back to Cleland, and his curling effort was tipped over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.
The German side settled and began to work their way back into the game, but did very little to trouble Raphael Sallinger in the opening 22 minutes before both teams paused for a water break due to the high temperatures in Wissel, Gelderland.
Duisburg best chance fell to striker, Tim Heike. But he dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Gray made two changes at the break, with Jordan Smith replacing Sallinger in goal and Jamie McGrath making his first appearance for the Club coming on for Campbell in the middle of the pitch.
Nicky Cadden went close to breaking the deadlock, but his whipped in free-kick evaded everyone in the penalty area .
At the other end Smith was called into action moments later – making a smart stop at his near post from Steffen Meuer.
On the hour mark, Gray continued to freshen things up with Joseph McGrath, Rory Whittaker, Logan Jimenez, Kanayo Megwa and Alasana Manneh all introduced to the action.
Chris Cadden, Nicky Cadden, Youan, Marvin Ekpiteta and Dylan Levitt were the players to make way.
O’Hora had an effort cleared off the line from a set-piece before Smith made a brilliant one-handed save, diving to his right to deny a long-range shot from Bookjans.
Cleland was played through on goal, and forced a good save from the Duisburg ‘keeper.
