Latest news with #Brondby
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hibs hero Liam Fontaine reveals David Gray memento he takes everywhere
Gray was the matchwinner on Hibs' last trip to Denmark nine years ago and while that ultimately ended in agony, Fontaine insists his old mate will firmly believe his side can shock Midtjylland this time round. Liam Fontaine still has a picture of David Gray 's goal from Hibs' last European trip to Denmark saved on his phone. He reckons it sums up everything his old Easter Road team mate and room mate stood for while wearing the captain's armband. Namely belief, desire and bravery. Gray's strike in a 1-0 Europa League qualifying win against Brondby in July 2016 came just two months after his famous Scottish Cup Final winner against Rangers which teed Neil Lennon's side up for that Europa League qualifier. It ultimately ended in a heartbreaking penalty shoot out defeat against the Christian Norgaard and Teemu Pukki inspired Danes. But nine years on Gray is preparing to take Hibs back to the land of fairytales for a qualifier against Midtjylland in the same competition. And, despite being underdogs again, Fontaine reckons Hibs can look forward to a happy ever after with his old defensive colleague at the helm. The 2016 Scottish Cup hero said: 'They've got to believe they can win. And with Dave that's something you always get - belief. 'One of my favourite pictures is actually from that game against Brondby, celebrating the goal with Dave. I still keep it in my phone. 'It wasn't long after his winner in the Scottish Cup Final. I don't think he actually scored a goal until he went to Hibs! 'He was going through a phase of stepping up at the big moments. That was him, he was always driven to succeed. "We were room mates. We shared on that trip to face Brondby too. I don't think many people gave us a chance going over there 1-0 down from the first leg. 'We went over as underdogs, they were a well-known club with a good history and had players like Pukki and Norgaard. They probably believed we would be a walkover. But that was never the case. 'Our squad was more than capable of competing and we showed that in the second leg. We had a team of winners and a team of people with drive and real raw ability no more so than Dave. 'We won the game 1-0 and it went to the lottery of penalties. In the end the result wasn't what we wanted. It was a disappointed dressing room. 'But I remember it being a really good occasion. The Hibs fans were brilliant. They travelled in their numbers and the atmosphere was incredible. 'I'm sure it'll be the same next Thursday.' Cocky Midtjylland boss Thomas Thomasberg has riled Hibees with his confident boasts ahead of the first leg in the MCH Arena on Thursday. But Fontaine - who won the Scottish Cup and Championship title during his spell in Leith - reckons Gray won't be paying the slightest bit of attention to what his opposite number is saying. He said: 'I knew what Dave would bring as a manager. I know the levels he demands. He's got a wide knowledge of football, with obviously his own personal career and his upbringing through football. 'Honestly, Dave is Dave. What you see is what he is. He's very humble. He doesn't really want any plaudits. 'He always conducts himself in a professional manner, no matter what. 'He's not afraid to shy away from if he gets it wrong. He's not afraid to speak up when he needs to speak up. 'That's exactly what he was as a player. Very honest, very determined. But no fear. He was up for every challenge. 'So I know Dave will send the team out over there and they'll have no fear. They'll just go for it. Hibs have got match winners in their team. 'They've got some high-quality players that are definitely going to create chances. If you've got that ability to score goals, then the challenge is going to be just matching the level of sharpness and fitness this early in the season. 'It's their first competitive game so maybe being out of rhythm with how they were towards the end of last season, you've got to try and just get into that rhythm really, really quickly and put the stamp on the game. 'It'll be interesting to watch and see.'
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Christian Norgaard snubbed European giant before sealing dream Arsenal transfer
Christian Norgaard completed his £12million (initial £10m plus £2m in add-ons) transfer across London from Brentford to Arsenal this week and the Dane has walked a long-winding pathway to arrive at one of the Premier League's biggest clubs Just 12 minutes into his professional debut, 17-year-old Christian Norgaard flattened the opposition goalkeeper with a crunching challenge. The industrious Dane, who this week sealed his shock £12million transfer to Arsenal from Brentford, had entered the field for Lyngby in the closing stages of a highly-contested relegation six-pointer against HB Koge. Remarkably, it would represent his only senior appearance for the Danish outfit as a career-changing switch to German giants Hamburg beckoned. Norgaard, 31, insists the exciting lure of experiencing Champions League football at the Emirates proved to be an opportunity simply too good to refuse. That quote, delivered in his first interview as an Arsenal player, is reflective of the long-winding pathway the combative midfielder has trodden on his rollercoaster journey to the top. He was fundamental cog in Thomas Frank's well-oiled Bees machine during an illustrious six-year spell in west London and his commendable leadership, reliability and defensive qualities have evidently left a huge impression upon Mikel Arteta. However, despite the thunderous tackle on his first senior appearance plus the one that "nearly broke" the leg of new team-mate Gabriel Martinelli in April, Norgaard hasn't always been regarded as a no-nonsense anchorman. Upon return to his homeland with Brondby - where he first played under the tutelage of Frank - the Gunners' latest signing occasionally featured as a playmaker and winger, even scoring a stunning curler from distance in a pre-season friendly against Brendan Rodgers ' Liverpool in 2014. After previously attracting interest from AC Milan, Norgaard's sparkling form in Scandinavia later saw him earn a transfer to Fiorentina but his stay in Italy was incredibly short-lived. The Denmark international, who has now been part of the national team squad for three major tournaments, only featured six times in Serie A before sealing a £2.8m move to Brentford. Norgaard's stint with Fiorentina was mentally challenging - not least because he was secretly taking sleeping pills. The issue began in the latter stages of his time at Brondby, particularly before away matches when the team would stay in hotels. When Norgaard would climb into bed, he'd fear the prospect of being unable to get to sleep and his mind would go into overdrive. He has since confessed during an interview with Danish newspaper Bold that he was virtually awake all night before Brondby's 2018 Danish Cup semi-final and final wins over Midtjylland and Silkeborg, respectively. The tablets helped tackle the problem but his dependence soon snowballed and he sought the help of Brentford's specialist sleeping coach Anna West. West, according to Norgaard, had described his usage of the pills as "a pacifier that we should have put away." Initially, that irked the Dane but slowly but surely, the pair put the habit to bed. Norgaard's bravery and openness to willingly discuss one of football's most taboo subjects was rightfully lauded back on home soil. In fact, he received many messages and letters revealing his actions had inspired others to speak up and make changes amid their own personal battles. Arsenal have not only signed a talented, proficient replacement for Jorginho, they've also landed a consummate professional and leader of men. It's indicative of his character that he snubbed upwards of four lucrative Bosman offers - including one from Portuguese giants Benfica - to pen a two-year contract extension with Brentford in late March because his family were settled in the capital. Norgaard may not represent Arsenal's sexiest addition of the summer but there can be no doubt that he has the capacity to help drive Arteta's squad to silverware and new heights. He has not made the move just to make up the numbers.
Scotsman
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Where are they now? Hibs v Brondby 2016 - the last Hibs team to face Danish opponents
The waiting is almost over for Hibs supporters as their side prepare to return to competitive action with a Europa League second qualifying round tie against Danish club FC Midtjylland. After securing third place in the Premiership table during an outstanding season last time out, Hibs will hope to take the momentum into the new season and that will begin with a trip across the North Sea for the first leg on Thursday, July 24 before the return leg takes place at Easter Road seven days later. Facing Danish opposition is no new experience for Hibs or current head coach David Gray after he was part of the side that face Brondby at the same stage of the same competition in July 2016 - but who else was in the Hibs side as they exited the Europa League with a penalty shoot-out defeat and where are they now? Related topics: Premier League
The Herald Scotland
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Celtic 'embarrassment' as rival club uncover 'secret' clause
With Brendan Rodgers on the lookout for striking firepower in this window, it was looking like the stars may align as a Brondby exit was finally on the cards for the 23-year-old. However, it emerged in the last few days that Kvistgaarden had chosen Norwich City as his next destination. The Canaries have now confirmed the Denmark international as their latest signing in an announcement this afternoon. Read more: And it seems the English Championship side may have caught Celtic and other interested clubs napping to steal a march. That is because Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims they discovered a secret minimum fee release clause that no other club knew about. Norwich paid a bargain ££6.9million when all the fees previously being banded about were a lot higher. Joseph was asked about this and said: "Norwich discovered a release clause in his contract, that no other club knew about. Quite the coup. And quite the embarrassment for the other clubs who've been negotiating with Brondby."
The National
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Celtic 'embarrassment' as rival club uncover 'secret' clause
The Hoops had been on the trail of the Danish striker since last year while other clubs have been interested too. With Brendan Rodgers on the lookout for striking firepower in this window, it was looking like the stars may align as a Brondby exit was finally on the cards for the 23-year-old. However, it emerged in the last few days that Kvistgaarden had chosen Norwich City as his next destination. The Canaries have now confirmed the Denmark international as their latest signing in an announcement this afternoon. Read more: And it seems the English Championship side may have caught Celtic and other interested clubs napping to steal a march. That is because Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims they discovered a secret minimum fee release clause that no other club knew about. Norwich paid a bargain ££6.9million when all the fees previously being banded about were a lot higher. Joseph was asked about this and said: "Norwich discovered a release clause in his contract, that no other club knew about. Quite the coup. And quite the embarrassment for the other clubs who've been negotiating with Brondby."
