Watch Hibs concede five goals BEFORE HALF TIME as Dutch giants Ajax run amok in pre-season friendly
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EVERYONE wants matches against tough opposition as they sharpen up for pre-season.
And that's certainly the case for David Gray's Hibs, who are entitled to feel pretty good about themselves going into the season.
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Hibs boss David Gray wanted a tough match and that was what he got
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How Hibs lined up for the clash
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The evergreen Steven Berghuis (left) fired Ajax off to a great start
After a strong third placed finish, the Hibees have a tough Europa League qualifier against FC Mijdjytlland to prepare for.
They've secured the signature of the highly-prized Josh Mulligan from Dundee, retained Rocky Bushiri and are hopeful of persuading Nectar Triantis to join on a permanent basis.
But just maybe today was the day that a few Hibs fans got a rude awakening - as they went down heavily in a preseason friendly in Holland to Dutch giants Ajax.
John Heitinga's side finished second in Holland last year which means they're gearing up for the Champions League themselves.
And they certainly didn't spare the Hibees in this clash at the Toekomst sports complex.
While the game was played behind closed doors, the Dutch outfit made it available via their app to their supporters - and it must have been a tough watch at times for Hibees supporters.
Starting the match with a strong line up which included the likes of Brian Brobbey, Steven Berghuis, Owen Wijndaal and Davy Klaassen, they had scored five goals before the first half was out.
The Hibees went with the likes of Bushiri, Dylan Levitt, Jamie McGrath, Chris Cadden and Jack Iredale from the start.
Classy campaigner Berghuis opened the scoring within eight minutes with a fine left foot finish then doubled the Dutch lead with a tidy finish with his right.
Martin Boyle got one back for the Hibees in 16 minutes but then it was over to Ajax winger and Belgian star Mika Godst who got a quickfire double.
David Gray on life as Hibs manager and how he turned it around when his job was on the line
And when Kian Fitz Jim made it five not long after the half hour mark Hibs were in big trouble.
With Ajax putting on a full new team for the second period, things got worse before they got better for the visitors courtesy of a goal from Turkish star Ahmetcan Caplan.
But Hibs hung in there and at least got a couple of goals back late on to add a bit more respectability to the score.
First Junior Hoilett netted, then Kieron Bowie pounded to make it a final score of 6-3.
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