Hibs pre-season preparations continued against a strong FC Porto side in Portugal in a behind-closed-doors friendly last night.
Borja Sainz – who had already twice been denied by the offside flag – scored the opener with the last touch of the first half.
But Felix Passlack netted with ten minutes to play to earn a draw against the reigning Primeira Liga champions at Jorge Costa Training and Sports Development Centre.
After the game Hibs head coach David Gray told Hibs TV:”“I’m really pleased, and it was a really good exercise for what we set out to do.
“We put a real focus on working without the ball and our defensive shape. Clearly, the level of opposition we’re playing against – we knew we’d have to do that – but it was a really good test for the players against a very good side.
“It was a positive result in the end, but there are a lot of things within it where we can improve.
“I think we’re going to be a lot better on the ball, but overall, the players can take a lot of confidence and belief from what they put into the game and how the game went.
“It’s been a short but beneficial camp, and part of the reason we set the trip up was a test for the European campaign in terms of travelling the day before, training when we come over here, then playing the game and flying straight home because some of our players have not played in Europe before.
“I know a lot of the players did it last season, but it was just to make sure we give every player the best opportunity to make sure they’re aware of what they’re going to be going into. Clearly you’re not going to play against this level of opposition all the time, but if you can go and do that, there are a lot of positives to take from that.
“So, all in all, it was a real beneficial test for everybody involved and a real worthwhile one.
“I’m really grateful to FC Porto for taking the game on and putting a real strong side out as well. It was a real good test for the players, and we’ll take a lot of confidence from that and a lot of things to work on moving forward as well.”
Hibs three summer signings – Jason Kerr, Azeem Abdulai and Callum Wright – all started against FC Porto, and Gray was pleased with their respective performances.
He added: “I think the big thing is always about minutes in the legs and players getting fitter and stronger.
“Clearly today we looked at a different side to the game in terms of that defensive shape and then changed again in the second-half.
“There were a lot of good things going in on the training pitch that you’re starting to see.
“Within that, we’re not always getting it right, of course, but these are the games when you want to do that, and the most important thing is getting the players fitter and stronger, and we’re certainly doing that.
“The players know I’m really happy with where pre-season is at this moment in time.
“I know we’ve got the home fixture next weekend against Brøndby to look forward to now, where the players are all in really good condition for that one.
“Callum [Wright] missed the first couple of games when he joined, but we got a good 45 minutes out of him today.
“Azeem [Abdulai] went and played 45 minutes during the week for us, and then we pushed him to 60 minutes today. He missed the first week of pre-season, so it’s important that every player gets up to speed.
“Added to that, Josh Mulligan got 90 minutes today, which he’ll massively benefit from, especially when you think back to how his season ended last year.
“The squad is starting to take shape in terms of getting the minutes into the players. Everyone came through the game today, which is clearly vital at this stage.
“We’re definitely that one step closer to being ready for the European game.”
All things told, Gray’s side is beginning to take shape ahead of the first European fixture on Thursday week.
Before then, Hibs welcome Danish Superliga outfit Brøndby IF to Easter Road for the final fixture of the pre-season schedule.
Gray said: “They’re always great games, aren’t they?
“Especially for the new players as well, and it’s an opportunity to go and play at Easter Road.
“It is always important that you get a home friendly in before the season starts so the players are familiar with what they’re going into.
“It’s good opposition again, one that will test the players. We’ll be further forward in our preparations in terms of fitness, and we’ll be ready to go.
“It’s our last chance to get significant minutes into players before we go into the real stuff the following Thursday.
“It’ll be a brilliant game. The players will be ready for that, and it’ll be good to see the fans again, and I’m sure we’ll all look forward to it.”
