Hibernian

We asked for your views on Hibernian's tough Europa League qualifying assignment against Midtjylland.

Here's what some of you said:

Sandy: What a draw, bang in the centre of Denmark. Top drawer Danish club, Edinburgh to Copenhagen and two trains. So bit of a hike. We can get a result there, but I can hear the doomed brigade saying 'that's us out'. Nonsense, I say it's an honour to play in Europe and it's no different to playing Celtic, Rangers or Hearts, tough but winnable. Bring it on.

Alex: As much as I would love Hibs to progress, I think it's unlikely. These games always come too early in the season for Scottish teams and they are a quality side.

Alistair: We'll give it our best shot whoever we play. It's Europe. Let's just go for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Scott: To go through will be a tough ask, but not impossible. It's probably the equivalent of having to beat Rangers over two legs. Again, hard - but definitely do-able. If we can keep it tight in the first leg and get a draw in Denmark, I think we have enough about us to beat them at Easter Road. We will need to get a few signings in before the game though, Nectar Triantis returning and Rocky Bushiri agreeing a new contract would make me much more confident.

Conor: It'll be a tough tie, especially with them only losing out on the title by a point. But if we can get a decent result over there and bring it back to a packed Easter Road, then it should make for an interesting tie. But there will not be any disappointment if we do not progress, because we'll get a second bite at it falling into the Conference League third round qualifiers.

Heerenveen are hopeful of completing a deal for Hibernian striker Dylan Vente by the end of the week, with talks at an advanced stage and the Leith club expected to make a profit on the 26-year-old Suriname international who cost them around £700,000 in 2023 from Roda. (Sky Sports), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibs' Europa League qualifying opponents Midtjylland are owned by Denmark's richest man, Anders Holch Povlsen, who just happens to be Scotland's largest private landowner.

The four-times Danish champions are renowned for their data-driven and analytical style in player recruitment, development and tactics.

Midtjylland are managed by 50-year-old former player Thomas Thomasberg, who returned from Randers in March 2023 for a second spell in charge.

Despite six wins and a draw in their final seven Danish Superliga outings last season, Thomasberg's men were pipped to the title by FC Copenhagen, who finished a point clear.

On the European front, Midtjylland were beaten in the Champions League play-off round by Slovan Bratislava last term and dropped down to the Europa League.

A 20th-place finish in the league phase sent them through to the knockout stage play-offs where they succumbed to La Liga side Real Sociedad.

The Danes have faced Scottish opposition twice before. Rangers claimed a 7-3 aggregate win in the Europa League third qualifying round in 2019-20, while Midtjylland dispatched Celtic 3-2 over two legs in the Champions League second qualifying round in 2021-22.

Guinea-Bissau striker Franculino is a player Hibs should be wary of after the 20-year-old finished last season as the Danish club's top scorer with 16 goals in 41 appearances while also delivering six assists.

And Poland striker Adam Buksa, 28, had a fruitful first season after his £4m move from Lens, netting 15 times in 39 games.

Hibernian face a difficult task in Europa League qualifying after being paired with Danish Superliga runners-up Midtjylland.

The first leg of the second round qualifier will take place in Denmark on 24 July, with the return at Easter Road the following week.

Midtjylland lost the Superliga title by just a point to Copenhagen last term and finished 20th in the league phase of the Europa League.

They were then dumped out of the competition by La Liga side Real Sociedad in the knockout stage play-offs.

Hibs fans, we want your thoughts on the draw. Do you fancy your team's chances of progressing? Share your views here.

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Midtjylland, Anderlecht and Shakhtar Donetsk are among a refined group of potential opponents for Hibernian in today's (12:00 BST) Europa League draw.

David Gray's side are unseeded for the second round qualifying draw, meaning their narrowed-down possibilities are tough looking assignments.

Danish top-flight runners-up Midtjylland and Belgian club Anderlecht are two potential pairings, while Shakhtar could lie in wait if they get past Finnish outfit Ilves Tampere in their first-round qualifier.

On paper, the most favourable possibility looks to be the winner of the tie between Moldovan top-flight side Sheriff Tiraspol and Prishtina of Kosovo.

Discussions are ongoing between Heerenveen and Hibernian over Dylan Vente, with the Dutch club aiming to take the 26-year-old striker, who was on loan to Eredivisie rivals Zwolle last season, on a permanent deal. (Sky Sports), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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A third-placed finish has renewed Hibernian's love affair with Europe.

There are plenty of ifs and buts for David Gray's Leith side in Wednesday's Europa League second round qualifying draw, with 12 possibilities.

Hibs are unseeded, with Anderlecht of Belgium, Portugal's Braga, Denmark's Midtjylland and Switzerland's Lugano among difficult potential opponents.

Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk or Finland's Ilves Tampere, Moldova's Sheriff Tiraspol or Kosovo's Prishtina, Poland's Legia Warsaw or Kazakhstan's Aktobe and Cyprus' Larnaca or Serbia's Partizan are other possibilities.

Uefa are likely to split the draw into two groups early on Wednesday morning and that would reduce the range of Hibs' potential match-ups.

Lose this tie and at least the third qualifying round of the Conference League is there as a consolation for Gray's men.

Eredivise club Heerenveen hope to sign Hibernian striker Dylan Vente after the 26-year-old impressed on loan to Zwolle. (Leeuwarder Courant), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Get it onto Martin Boyle's right foot and things will be alright...

No player scored more right-footed goals than the Hibernian attacker's 12.

He netted 15 in total as David Gray's side finished third.

Celtic's Adam Idah also found the net 12 times with his right, while Ross County's Ronan Hale did so 11 times.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

The SPFL confirmed attendances have risen for a third consecutive season and thanked fans for their "incredible support".

Crowds across all leagues, cups and play-off matches totalled more than 5.3 million, a rise of nearly 185,000 from the 2023-24 season.

"We will be having further meetings with key stakeholders over the summer to review the most recent season and look ahead to 2025-26," the SPFL statement ends.

"We remain committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable matchday experience for players and supporters - they are the lifeblood of our game and deserve nothing less."

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We asked for your views on Ryan Porteous' possible return to Easter Road following reports linking the defender to Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Paul: Hopefully he learned a bit more about defending, a good addition to the squad. Does this mean Rocky Bushiri is on his way out?

Kenny: Step backwards. He's too slow and gives away silly free kicks and penalties. He wouldn't improve the team.

Scott: If Rocky doesn't sign bring him back. Always gave you everything and was good for winding up the opposition. He needs to play to get a sniff of the Scotland squad.

Darren: I'd take Porto back in a heartbeat. That lad has untapped potential.

A wee cuddle from SDG is the perfect medicine to get his Scotland career back on track and become a Hibees legend.

David: The return of development boys to Easter Road has worked well in the past, but I remain unconvinced that Ryan Porteous has requisite maturity yet to consistently be the seasoned pro needed in defence.

Brian: No thank you. He's a bomb scare. Not sure he would be a good influence in the dressing room either, I'm surprised David Gray is looking at him.

Ross: It would be good business for us, it increases the competition, though I feel he is better than what we currently have. Squad depth will be key next season.

John: If he can cut out the rash tackling and play they way we know he can, then yes. If he is still jumping into tackles he can't win, then no. In Gray I trust though.

Darren: I don't want him back at Hibs. He agitated for a move away and in the end I was glad to see him go. He would not fit in with the current ethos at Hibs, he is far too self centred.

Ian: There is a good balance in the team and dressing room at the moment, but feel Porteous might rock the boat a bit, and not in a good way. He left, leave it that way.

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Two-and-a-half years after leaving his boyhood club for the English Championship, could Ryan Porteous return to Hibernian?

Recent reports have suggested that the Easter Road club are plotting a move for their former defender who has fallen out of favour down south.

The Scotland centre-half moved to Watford in January 2023 for a fee worth around £450,000 and made 82 appearances for the Hornets before moving to fellow second-tier side Preston North End for the second half of the season gone by.

Linking up with former Hibee boss, Paul Heckingbottom, the 26-year-old made 11 appearances for The Lilywhites as they secured their Championship status.

But he sat on the bench for their final four games.

The Hibs Academy graduate made the move in the hope it would catch the eye of Scotland head coach Steve Clarke.

He hadn't featured for the national team since being sent off in the Euro 2024 opener against Germany, until he appeared for the final minute in Scotland's 1-0 win away to Greece in March.

With World Cup qualifying kicking off in September, the 13-cap defender will be keen to work his way back into the international set-up after being omitted from the squad for the June friendlies.

Having spent the end of last season on loan, a starting berth at Watford appears unlikely for Porteous, while Hibs may be in the market for a centre-back if a deal cannot be struck with Rocky Bushiri, who is out-of-contract.

Europa League qualifying will come round quickly for the Hibees, and it'd be safe to imagine Porteous would want his future sorted sooner rather than later.

Are the stars aligning for a reunion?

Let us know what you think of the links to Porteous' signature and how you'd feel about a possible return here.

Hibernian are preparing to make an offer for former defender Ryan Porteous, with the 26-year-old facing an uncertain future at Watford. (The Herald, subscription), external

Hibernian remain open to the idea of Ryan Porteous returning to Easter Road but they are not actively pursuing a move for the Scotland defender as negotiations with out-of-contract defender Rocky Bushiri continue. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Hibernian duo Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller have helped Australia qualify for a sixth consecutive World Cup finals after a 2-1 win away to Saudi Arabia.

Winger Boyle set up Machida Zelvia forward Mitch Duke for the winning goal at Al Inma Bank Stadium at King Abdullah Sport City.

Meanwhile, Miller played the full 90 minutes in the Socceroos' defence.

Australia finish second in their qualifying group behind Japan, six points clear of their hosts.

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We asked for your favourite Hibs moment of a memorable first season under David Gray.

Here's what some of you said:

Leo: It has to be Rocky Bushiri's last-minute leveller against Aberdeen. It totally turned the season around and saved Gray's job.

Jonathan: I'd love to say Jack Iredale's winner in the derby, but Bushiri's equaliser against Aberdeen back in November totally galvanised the whole club and we didn't really look back. Just a minute earlier Aberdeen had gone 3-2 up in the 95th minute, we were on eight points from 14 games and they were going 26 points ahead of us. To then finish with just one defeat outside of Parkhead for the rest of the season is incredible.

Stewart: Being undefeated against Hearts...

Anon: Has to be the derby win at Tynecastle.

Sandy: The 3-3 against Aberdeen is a good shout, that game said we can do something, but the Boxing Day derby win was my favourite.

A year to the day since David Gray's appointment as Hibernian head coach, the mood around Easter Road is a far happier one.

Having finished ninth the season before under Lee Johnson and then Nick Montgomery's management, expectations were low despite Gray's legendary status as a player.

Gray's only previous managerial experience had been as caretaker and the Scottish Cup-winning legend had to come through a torrid start to the season before he could bask in the adulation of the fanbase once more.

A 17-match unbeaten streak catapulted Gray's side up the table, a run which ultimately fuelled Hibs' third-place finish in the league.

They beat city rivals Hearts at Tynecastle for the first time in five years and won the subsequent derby at home thanks to Jack Iredale's magnificent goal.

A Josh Campbell double secured victory over Celtic at Easter Road in February, while goals from Dylan Levitt and Martin Boyle downed Rangers at Ibrox in April.

What was your favourite moment of such a memorable campaign? Let us know.

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Goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger sees his move to Hibs as a step up in his career and can't wait to play in front of the "amazing" fans at Easter Road.

The 29-year-old Austrian arrives on a three-year deal from Hartberg having spent his entire career in his homeland and Germany.

"I'm very happy. Hibs is a great club with great fans in a great city. I'm very much looking forward to being here and playing successful football," Sallinger told Hibs TV.

"For me it was always a target for me to play outside of Austria. Austria is a good league, but in Germany, Scotland or the UK football is different.

"To be in Scotland and to play in front of a lot of fans was always a target for me.

"I hope I can help the team a lot and I hope that we can reach our targets, and also get into a European group stage. Maybe we can even have a better season than last season.

"I've watched the last two Hibs games and the fans in the crowd are really impressive, especially after the game against Rangers when the fans were singing Sunshine On Leith. It was pretty amazing and pretty impressive to me.

"I'm looking forward to having this feeling on the pitch."

We asked for your views on what Hibs need to do in the transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Maureen: We need a penalty box predator we can rely on to bang in 15-plus goals a season alongside Kieron Bowie. It's what Dylan Vente was meant to be, and Mykola Kuharevich hasn't quite delivered. Where is today's Leigh Griffiths or Derek Riordan? Oh, and pay whatever it takes to keep Rocky Bushiri.

John: An attacking midfielder is required as not enough goals coming from the current players. A striker capable of 12-plus goals per season is also a must. Would be nice to see academy players get an opportunity.

David: Hopefully not too much to simply keep the momentum going. Clearly a keeper to compete with Jordan Smith and fingers crossed we can re-sign Bushiri and Junior Hoilett. The comings and goings of Elie Youan, Vente and Nectarios Triantis will dictate much of our other activity but persuading Triantis to return should be a priority. Otherwise we will need a midfield replacement. Hopefully not the number of player incomings of previous years.

George: With thanks to Smith for last seasons performances, it's a "sorry, but we need an upgrade" because there's too many flaws for him to be our No1. If we don't get Kuharevich back, we need another No.9 to lead the line and take pressure off Bowie. We are well covered in midfield if Newell gets fit and playing, plus Rudi Milotnikov comes in. Defensively, if Bushiri signs, we're fine, otherwise, we need another CB... Porto?

Sandy: To improve you have to spend money, that's a football fact. Whatever it costs we have to shell out for Triantis and wage rises for him, Rocky and Junior - we have to keep these players. Further to that we need to shell out for another centre forward. For funding, sell on Vente and Youan, neither fit this Hibs model. Personally I trust our board to back David Gray.

Kenny: We heed a goalkeeper and a centre-half. I have never been a fan of Big Rocky. He had a great second half of the season but he's suspect on the ball. A strong middle of midfield player and centre forward is a must. Strengthen the spine of the team and we won't be far away.

Kevin: Triantis is a must to get. Keeps the flow of the game going forward where we can hurt teams.