Nearly 60-years ago, my Hearts’ supporting next door neighbour took me to Easter Road to watch Hibs play Naples in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup.
Hibs were 4-1 down from the first-leg and only manager Bob Shankly gave them any chance of progressing to the next round.
But up stepped full-back Bobby Duncan who opened the scoring with a sensational 40-yard strike which flew into the top corner past arguably the world’s finest goalkeeper Dino Zoff.
Hibs went on to win 5-0 and as were leaving the old stadium, my neighbour told me that I’d never see a better goal than Bobby’s.
And he was correct…….until the 14 August 2025 when Kieron Bowie scored a goal that was at least its equal.
Many years later I had the privilege of speaking to Bobby and of course I asked about his goal.
He told me: “Bob’s (Shankly) plan was for Joe Davis to win the toss and we would play down the slope in the first half as an early goal was vital. Joe lost the toss but we did manage to get the early goal at the Dunbar end.
“They were attacking and I won the ball off their left winger. Normally I would have ran down the wing and put a cross in but I decided to come inside and kicked the ball too far ahead of me.
“ I reached the ball just before a defender and hit a cracking shot with my left foot which flew into the top corner of the net.
“People ask all the time how far out I was but I don’t know. It was over 20 yards but less than 40. I’ve never even seen the goal as the footage was destroyed in a flood. That night I could have gone home to watch the highlights or go out for a few ‘shandies’ to celebrate so I chose the pub.”
Last month from the Upper West Stand I saw Kieron Bowie fire an unstoppable left-foot strike from around the same distance.
That goal subsequently helped Hibs defeat Partizan Belgrade on aggregate to reach the Conference League Play-Offs.
Thankfully that goal was recorded on TV and online calls have already been made for the ‘Puskas Award’ for the player judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant, or “most beautiful”, goal of the calendar year.
Bowie said: “It was just split-second. Jack (Iredale) got an assist for it, I don’t know how.
“I’ve just shielded it past two of them, and it’s sat up nicely. I’ve just hit it and it’s gone right in the top corner. It took the cobwebs out the top corner.
“Honestly, it was unreal. I genuinely have never scored a goal like that in my life.
“When the confidence is flowing, you try stuff like that. Thankfully it paid off.”
So which goal was better? Both were scored during second–legs against top-class European opposition.
Both helped Hibs qualify for the next round.
Bobby’s was ‘up the slope’ toward the Dunbar end and flew into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Kieron’s was toward the other end and flew into the top right hand corner.
When asked, Hibs legend Pat Stanton who was on the pitch for Bobby’s goal and in the director’s box for Kieron’s said: “When you speak to Bobby about his goal against Napoli, it keeps getting further out. It was a goal that Superman would score. But that goal the other night was special and came at the right time.”
So, if forced to choose I’d say this.
Bobby’s goal was the greatest Hibs goal of the 20th century. The best ever at the Dunbar end and the finest first-half strike.
Kieron’s the best of the 21st century (so far). The best second-half goal and the finest at the ‘Shed’ end.
