Hibernian

Elias Melkersen scored twice and new signings Elie Youan and Nohan Kenneh got off the mark as Hibernian beat Burton Albion 4-2 at their pre-season training camp in Portugal.

The English League One side scored early through Gassan Ahadme, with Youan's low shot from 25 yards levelling the game.

As Hibs did in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Hartlepool, eleven changes were made at half-time and Norwegian striker Melkersen, 19, soon helped himself to a double, finishing off passes from Josh Campbell and Runar Hauge.

Ciaran Gilligan replied for the Brewers before a deflected strike from teenager Kenneh restored the two-goal advantage for Lee Johnson's side.

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Yes, it's officially cabbage in the Pantone colour system...

Hibs are sometimes referred to as "the cabbage and ribs" by fans, while it was the name of an old pub just off Easter Road.

What do you think?

Eleven B teams from Scottish Premiership clubs will enter the first round of the 2022-23 Scottish Challenge Cup.

The colt teams of Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Livingston, Motherwell, Rangers, St Johnstone and St Mirren will again feature in the competition.

The opening round will be regionalised and also feature the top four from last season's Highland and Lowland Leagues, as well as the teams finishing eighth, ninth and 10th in last term's Scottish League 2.

The draw for the first round will be on 4 August, with the ties on 9 and 10 August.

The other third-tier sides from last season and the bottom two League 1 teams enter in the second round.

Welsh sides The New Saints and Caernarfon Town and Northern Ireland's Cliftonville and Linfield enter as guest clubs in the third round along with nine Championship clubs.

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Hibernian began their Portugal-based pre-season camp with a win over Paul Hartley's Hartlepool United.

Ewan Henderson guided the opener low into the bottom-right corner before Ryan Porteous nodded in the second just after the break.

There were minutes for a number of new signings, including wingers Jair Tavares and Aiden McGeady.

Aberdeen-born Martin Boyle has no plans to quit Al Faisaly despite their relegation from Saudi Arabia's top-flight and former club Hibernian having first option to buy the 29-year-old Australia winger if he returns to the UK as part of his £2.5m January transfer. (Daily Record), external

Jair Tavares says fellow winger Jota, who is poised for a permanent move from Benfica to Celtic after last season's loan spell, helped persuade him that signing for Hibernian from the Portuguese club would be a good move and the 21-year-old suggests he plays in a similar way to his friend. (Scottish Sun), external

Read all Wednesday's Scottish gossip here.

Hibernian are working up a sweat in their pre-season training camp in Portugal.

Celtic and Hibernian are tracking Republic of Ireland Under-21 winger Darragh Burns, but Brighton and Hove Albion and Shamrock Rovers are both also interested in the 19-year-old currently with St Patrick's Athletic. (Irish Independent), external

Former Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean says he cannot rule out leaving Hibernian if a chance to return to management arises, but he insists he is happy at Easter Road for now and is focused on his role as academy director. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, BBC Sport

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Just a gentle reminder of where your side is going on the opening day of the 2022-23 Premiership.

Last season almost felt never-ending with the international schedule at the start of June, and we were all due a break by the end of it.

But with five weeks to go, excitement is bubbling away already for the start of next term.

By the end of next month we'll be bursting and ready to go.

Lee Johnson's Hibernian have landed in the Algarve as they begin their warm weather pre-season preparations.

The only member missing from the 27-man squad is new signing Momodou Bojang, who is awaiting work permit paperwork to be approved.

The camp will allow Johnson's other new recruits to settle in while key quartet Paul Hanlon, Kyle Magennis, Demetri Mitchell and Kevin Nisbet will ramp up their recoveries from injury.

The week-long trip will see Hibs face English lower-league opposition in Hartlepool United (Wednesday) and Burton Albion (Friday).

Hibernian's youth players will not be involved in the Lowland League and academy director Steve Kean says that is to increase their chances of being involved in the first team.

Celtic and Rangers' B teams have retained their places in the Lowland League for next season and will be joined by Heart of Midlothian.

"The main reason was we feel that if we can play games on a Tuesday evening or a Tuesday afternoon, some of our games are going to be played against English teams," Kean told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"We've got a friendly competition against Brentford, Middlesbrough, Huddersfield, Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn - different types of games - as well as playing in the reserve league, the reserve cup and also the Uefa Youth League.

"We feel that with playing on a Tuesday, the players can then be available to be involved with the first team on a Saturday, if they can catch the manager's eye.

"We feel that pathway is slightly easier. We just feel that was a better way for us."

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Kenny Miller believes winger Aiden McGeady will be a "wonderful signing" for former club Hibernian.

Republic of Ireland cap McGeady, 36, has agreed a one-year deal at Easter Road after leaving Sunderland.

McGeady and Miller were team-mates at Celtic.

"Really good signing, he's still been playing at a really good level the last few years," Miller told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"A top player, he really is. It'll be a wonderful signing. He'll create a lot in those forward areas."

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Twelve years after he last graced Scotland's top division with Celtic, Aiden McGeady has been coaxed back by Hibernian.

The arrival of a 36-year-old plagued by recent injury troubles wouldn't normally create a buzz of excitement among a fanbase, but McGeady is no ordinary player.

The winger's guile and dancing feet helped him to three league titles among seven honours at Celtic and took him to Russia and England's Premier League as well as appearing at two European Championships with Republic of Ireland, for whom he has 93 caps.

Even though the lightning pace has subsided, he was a stand-out and fans' favourite for Sunderland in recent years.

However, a serious knee injury cut short his final campaign on Wearside and raises questions over whether he can hit the ground running at Easter Road.

McGeady's last game was seven months ago and the rigours of the Scottish Premiership will present a stern test.

Manager Lee Johnson - having worked with McGeady at Sunderland - knows how to get the best out of him and his experience is welcome in a youthful Hibs squad.

Should the player recapture peak fitness and form, Hibs will reap the benefits.

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Hibs have had no contact from Dundee United over their reported interest in striker Christian Doidge. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read all of Saturday's Scottish Gossip here.

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Stalwart defender Darren McGregor knew his days were numbered in Hibernian's first team - so he is thrilled to have landed a new player-coaching role with the development squad.

The 36-year-old, who has 188 Hibs appearances under his belt and was part of the 2016 Scottish Cup-winning team, will work alongside academy director Steve Kean and Gareth Evans.

"At the end of last season I was lucky enough to have that unforgettable game where I was able to captain the team to a 4-0 win with my kids beside me as mascots,” said McGregor.

“I think after that game I knew my playing time would be very limited next season. Steve Kean spoke to me shortly afterwards and proposed the idea that I could help out with the development squad.

"It is a great opportunity as it can allow me to continue playing while also developing my coaching experience under the mentorship of Steve and Gareth. "

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Aiden McGeady is set to undergo a medical at Hibs, who hope to complete the signing of the former Celtic and Sunderland winger before they fly out to Portugal on Sunday for a pre-season training camp. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Dundee United are considering a move for Hibs striker Christian Doidge, who new Tannadice head coach Jack Ross worked with at Easter Road. (Courier), external

Premiership clubs are poised for crisis talks over Rangers' continuing sponsorship row with the SPFL amid fears that the Ibrox club - who are no longer required to participate in the agreement with car dealer cinch - may be exempt from promoting any other commercial deals secured by the league. (Daily Record), external

Read all of Friday's Scottish Gossip here.

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Goalkeeper David Mitchell has left Hibernian without playing a first-team game.

The 32-year-old signed from Clyde last summer to provide back-up to Matt Macey - who this week joined Luton Town - and Kevin Dąbrowski.

Former Scotland keeper David Marshall has arrived to be Hibs' number one for the upcoming season, with Mitchell’s exit allowing 17 year-old Murray Johnson greater involvement with the senior squad.

Mitchell said: “It’s been a tough decision but I am now at an age where the most important thing for me is playing.

“The manager was very understanding and the club made the process very easy for me."

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Hibs have started their first pre-season under new manager Lee Johnson and will head to the Algarve on Sunday for a  "week-long intensive training camp".

While in Portugal, the Easter Road side will take on Paul Hartley's Hartlepool United (29 June) and Burton Albion (1 July) in friendly matches.

Hibs then open their League Cup campaign at home to Clyde on 9 July and host Norwich City in a friendly on 24 July.

Johnson's side begin their league campaign away to St Johnstone on 30 July.

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