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Scotsman
23 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Hibs report and ratings from Dundee victory as Scotland striker stars
Scotland striker Kieron Bowie's quickfire double inspired Hibs to victory on the opening day of their Scottish Premiership campaign, as David Gray's men ran out 2-1 winners over Dundee at Dens Park. The Easter Road side, leg weary and heart sore after 120 brutal minutes in their Europa League loss to Midtjylland on Thursday night, showed ability and grit to make a triumphant start to their domestic season. Two goals in three first-half minutes from Bowie, the former Fulham forward opening his account for the season in impressive style, put Gray's men in control after half an hour of relatively uneventful play. A Jack Iredale slip allowed Finaly Roberts to grab one back for the hosts just five minutes later. But the visitors looked comfortable despite dipping energy levels. And they travel to Belgrade on Europa Conference League duty this week with confidence restored ahead of their third qualifying round clash with Partizan. Roared on by a large travelling support, Hibs struggled to break down their dogged opponents in a fairly dire opening spell, in terms of entertainment. Always in control, they were finding it hard to break through the massed ranks of Dark Blue jerseys. Bowie always looked the most likely, though. And he was rewarded for his bustling play with an opener after 27 minutes, pouncing quickly on a cross from the left that ricocheted off a defender – and spinning to finish smartly, low and hard into the far corner, with that mighty left boot. Three minutes later, the big man had his second, courtesy of some brilliant build-up play involving Iredale, who slipped a killer pass through for the underlapping Jordan Obita. The wingback's shot was saved by Dundee goalie Jon McCracken – but Bowie again put himself in the right place at the right time to bury the rebound. Just as Hibs supporters might have been beginning to dream of a big score, Dundee were gifted a lifeline, Iredale's loss of footing opening up a chance that Robertson did well to take. The visitors, to their credit, didn't have their rhythm disrupted too greatly by the loss of a goal. And the introduction of both Jamie McGrath and Josh Campbell early in the second half lifted Hibs, the former's corner kick deliveries providing two good chances for the latter. McCracken was equal to the task on both occasions, however, stopping Campbell's point-blank header and then producing a leg save to divert the attacking midfielder's left-footed strike. Dundee never really looked like bagging an equaliser. Hibs rarely looked troubled, despite losing a bit of zip in the legs. On to Belgrade. 1 . GK Jordan Smith 6/10 At no fault for the Dundee goal. Distribution was important in helping Hibs to control the tempo whenever the home side looked like rousing themselves. | SNS Group Photo Sales 2 . CB Warren O'Hora 6.5/10 Invited to step forward with the ball and break the lines, the Irishman connected with more than one telling delivery. | SNS Group Photo Sales 3 . CB Rocky Bushiri 6/10 A quiet sort of afternoon for the man whose spotlight-grabbing goal on Thursday night caused so much uproarious joy. | SNS Group Photo Sales 4 . LCB Jack Iredale 6.5/10 Really incisive through ball for Obita led to the second for Hibs. Unlucky slip let Dundee back into things. | SNS Group Photo Sales
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Incoming Celtic transfer signing spotted in stands
The Manchester City defender has agreed a season-long loan move to Celtic Park for the 2025/26 campaign. Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Friday that a deal had been struck for Simpson-Pusey to move to Celtic. However, the loan switch has not yet been confirmed, with Simpson-Pusey not involved in the Scottish Premiership opener on Sunday. The defender was at Celtic Park, though, as he watched his new club in action against St Mirren. Sky Sports cameras picked up the defender in Celtic gear in the crowd for the match as he watched from the main stand. Read more: "He's a very gifted young player," Rodgers said of Simpson-Pusey. "He has come through the system at Manchester City, his profile fits very much what we want from our centre halves. "He's quick, he's dominant, he's a good defender, and of course, at Celtic your centre-backs need to be able to progress the ball and that's a big strength of his. "We've taken him on loan for a year. We always need all our centre-backs at Celtic. You play so many games, so many intense games and he will join our squad. "He is obviously a little bit behind because he hasn't played so many games over the course of pre-season but we have brought him through for the rest of the season and hopefully we can close that one out today."
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Incoming Celtic transfer signing spotted in stands
Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Friday that a deal had been struck for Simpson-Pusey to move to Celtic. However, the loan switch has not yet been confirmed, with Simpson-Pusey not involved in the Scottish Premiership opener on Sunday. The defender was at Celtic Park, though, as he watched his new club in action against St Mirren. Sky Sports cameras picked up the defender in Celtic gear in the crowd for the match as he watched from the main stand. Read more: "He's a very gifted young player," Rodgers said of Simpson-Pusey. "He has come through the system at Manchester City, his profile fits very much what we want from our centre halves. "He's quick, he's dominant, he's a good defender, and of course, at Celtic your centre-backs need to be able to progress the ball and that's a big strength of his. "We've taken him on loan for a year. We always need all our centre-backs at Celtic. You play so many games, so many intense games and he will join our squad. "He is obviously a little bit behind because he hasn't played so many games over the course of pre-season but we have brought him through for the rest of the season and hopefully we can close that one out today."
