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Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs players fully focused on Europa League Qualifier
The Hibs players are now fully focused on Thursday's Europa League Qualifier versus FC Midtjylland following Saturday's final pre-season match says Chris Cadden. The wing-back understands improvements must be made from the performance, but insists the team are now looking forward to our upcoming European clash. 'It was a tough test for us, as we knew it would be. It's good to get the final game out of the way. 'We know we need to improve, the gaffer's highlighted that as well. But all in all, it's been a good pre-season, so we'll be ready to go on Thursday. 'There's a lot of improvement to do, we know that ourselves, but we're full steam ahead for Thursday, which is the most important thing.' Speaking to HibsTV, Cadden reflected further on pre-season: 'I think we've played good quality opposition in pre-season. There's been no easy games, it's been tough right from the start. 'Bolton was no different, they were a tough, physical side. It's good to test ourselves, because Midtjylland on Thursday, they'll be a good team as well. There's a lot to improve on, a lot to get better at, we know that. The match also served as a richly-deserved Testimonial Match for Hibs stalwart Darren McGregor. Cadden, who played alongside McGregor at Hibernian, was delighted to see the reception Daz received at Easter Road while celebrating the day with his family. 'It's brilliant. He deserves every bit of it. Everybody who comes to Hibs knows Daz, knows his story, how well he's done to get to the level he got. 'A really good player, what a leader as well. But most importantly, the person, really great. Great to have in the dressing room, a real leader of men. What you see is what you get with Big Daz. 'It's nothing short of what he deserves. It's great that the cCub's done that for him and it's fully deserved for Big Daz. I hope he had a great day with his family as well.' Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs star sets European target 11 years after maiden continental adventure
The Hibs star has patiently waited for a chance that may come this Thursday. Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... His European adventures started in Iceland 11 years ago - now one Hibs star hopes to step foot into the continental scene for the first time. David Gray's side are gearing up for a Europa League second round qualifier first leg against FC Midtjylland in Denmark on Thursday. They will hope to leave the tie in a good place for the return leg at Easter Road a week later, with Chris Cadden one of the several stars looking forward to action. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was in a travelling squad with Motherwell for a 2014 Europa League qualifier against Stjarnan, and has missed out on all of Hibs' European dates in his time at Easter Road due to injury. Thoughts he was a jinx had started to creep in but what will be exactly 11 years to the day the wing back was in Iceland with Motherwell, there's a chance to get battling over in Denmark. Hibs star on why Europa League battle means so much Cadden said: 'I was in travelling squads, but I don't think I ever came on at all. I think Iceland was one I was there. But, of course, it's a good bit of experience and whatnot. That's what you want to do. Have a successful season and go and play in Europe. That's what you want to do, and it's been an ambition of mine. So, yes, I'm looking forward to it. 'You're making me feel old now! I know I've been about for a wee while now. But, no, I've enjoyed my career and how it's gone. 11 years on, well, that's made me feel pretty old. You forget how old you are but I still feel about 21! No, it's good and obviously I've worked hard to get to this level and get to the size of the club Hibs is. It's the benefits of your hard work. 'I thought I was a bit of a jinx, to be honest, I've missed the last two times in Europe for injury. So, yes, personally it will be good to play in Europe. I have ambition as well. When you sign for a club like Hibs, that's what you want to do. You want to try to win trophies, finishing at the top end of the table, but also have European football to look forward to if you're doing well. That's one of the reasons why you sign for the club. I missed the last two, so it will be good to get there.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hibs target vs FC Midtjylland Looking ahead to the game, Cadden says the clashes ahead in Europe are just reward for finishing third in the league last term, but the target is now reaching their maximum to give themselves a crack at famous nights. The 28-year-old added: 'That's the rewards we get for having such a good season last year. We're looking forward to the challenge. Obviously, away leg first, it'll be tough. We're under no illusions about how tough it's going to be and the pedigree they've got, but we need to be the best versions of ourselves to go and beat them. 'When I look around, it's top quality. The additions have been really good, settled in really well. Obviously, a positive season last season, so we just need to keep rolling with that and just add quality, which I think we've done. You look about and the squad depth we've got is really good. You can see the level in training as well. It's high quality and things like that. The squad depth is good and we have real quality there. 'You'd rather have expectations of a good season than having a poor season. That just comes with playing in a big club and having a successful season. That's what you want as a player. You want to go and have a little bit of expectation, a little bit of pressure, because it means you're doing something right. There's a little bit of pressure, a little bit of expectation and stuff like that, but we've earned the right to go and do that with how well last season has gone. But, saying that, last season is done. It's now a new season and we've got a big one ahead of us, which we're ready to go for.'
Edinburgh Reporter
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
The new-look Ron Gordon Football Festival scheduled for 21 June at HTC
Featuring members of the current Hibs men's and women's squads, and coaching staff – this year, fans have an opportunity to be managed by their heroes whilst raising funds for a wide range of community initiatives. Following on from the mould set by the inception of the Ron Gordon Football Challenge in 2023, this year will allow members of the Hibernian community to play at HTC for the day, with some special guests at the helm of each team. Hibs First Team Captain and HCF Board Member Joe Newell will be there on the day and is confirmed as one of the coaches for the event! The current captain is not alone in making his managerial debut at HTC, with Cadden brothers Nicky and Chris, Jordan Obita, Jordan Smith and Rudi Molotnikov all joining him on the sidelines. The star-studded manager list doesn't stop there, however, with more players, coaching staff and legends expected to be announced by HCF in due course. Proceeds from purchasing a spot in each team will go towards HCF's various initiatives surrounding the Hibernian Community, including: community meals, events for the elderly, mental health support networks, initiatives for New Scots, and community football. 'We are absolutely thrilled to have Joe and the others signing on this year for the Ron Gordon Football Festival,' said HCF Board Chair Steve Smith. 'The work done by the entire team at the Foundation affects the community in such a positive light, and whenever players – current and past – get involved it always allows us to elevate the event and draw more attention to the great work we do. I'm really excited for the day and can't wait to see how the players go with their coaching.' The Ron Gordon Football Festival is named in honour of Hibernian FC's late owner, Ron Gordon. Ron was passionate about the work done by HCF and about providing football opportunities for all, regardless of their background. The structure of the day will follow a slightly different format from previous years. The morning will act as a showcase of HCF's Community Clubs, offering them the chance to play at HTC. The afternoon will then follow the format of a 7-a-side round-robin tournament in which Hibs players past and present will attempt to coach their team to victory. Over the course of the day there will be food trucks and family fun on offer for families and players to enjoy. For more information on the day itself, visit the event page here. Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
How Hibs skipper Boyle's team-mates responded to star man's contract extension
Socceroos forward banged in 20 goals to earn himself another year at Easter Road Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs assist king Nicky Cadden has spoken about the electric dressing room reaction to livewire leader Martin Boyle having his contract extended for another year. And he's revealed the most important quality Boyle brings to the squad. Boyle has just finished his best-ever season as a goal scorer for Hibs, finding the net 20 times in a campaign disrupted by not one but two injury issues, as he fought to overcome a serious hand/wrist issue and then a bone graft on his hip. Deputising for sidelined club captain Joe Newell, the stand-in skipper has been praised by first-year manager David Gray for bringing a different sort of leadership to the group. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But the extension clause in his contract, keeping him at Easter Road for one more season, wasn't triggered by Hibs until just before the final game of the season – AFTER third place in the Scottish Premiership had been secured. The 32-year-old, who had spoken about his long-term goal of playing in the A-League, believes continuing to excel for Hibs gives him the best chance of being part of the Socceroos squad at next summer's World Cup. Nicky Cadden topped assist charts in first year with Hibernian And summer signing Cadden, an absolute stand-out in his first year as a Hibee as he's topped the assist charts and chipped in with five goals, revealed: 'We're all absolutely buzzing about him staying for another year, honestly. As you know, he's a bit of a character! 'It's so important to have someone like Martin in the changing room. He helps the team in so many ways. 'I've actually become really close to him since joining the club. He's one of my close mates now, someone who went out of his way to welcome me. I'd obviously heard a lot about him. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Has he surprised me in any way? Aye, he's surprised me in many ways … but I cannae say much! 'But no, he's honestly like, he has you laughing every day. Every day he just has you laughing, he has you in stitches. 'That's the type of characters you want around the place. Even if we get beat on a Saturday, he's in on a Monday and he's making everybody laugh. 'He's definitely special as a character and a leader. And as you can see he's a good player as well.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Front man still chasing century of goals Cadden set up Boyle for the first of his team's goals in the season finale for Hibs, a 2-2 home draw at Easter Road. That was Boyle's 99th goal for Hibs – and Cadden was convinced the livewire forward was going to sign off on the campaign, which saw Gray's men climb from the foot of the table to European qualification thanks to a 17-game unbeaten run in the league, by bagging his century. 'As soon as I put that ball in for Boyler, I knew he was scoring,' said Cadden. 'Especially after signing the new deal! 'I just wish he'd got his hundredth against Rangers, too. He had one bad touch when he got in; that could have been it for him. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'But it gives him a chance to do it next year. And hopefully I'm the one crossing it in for him. 'You know, if you're a wide player, that just putting the ball in there gives him a chance. I mean, he doesn't score many with his head … but I'm glad he got on the end of that one.'
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Top Hibs star on fan connection, emotional scenes and Euro hopes
Nicky has new targets in sight as UEFA competition beckons Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It was all a bit much for little Leo Cadden, whose first reaction to being taken on a lap of honour at Easter Road was to start bawling as he cooried into dad Nicky's shoulder. Still, maybe the wee man – just two – will be more up for a party on one of the glorious European nights destined to have the place absolutely rocking in just a few short months. To say that Cadden has enjoyed his first season as a Hibs player would be fair enough. Warts and all, this has been a campaign to remember for many a highlight, the best moments made more special by the bleak beginning that cast so much doubt on David Gray's first steps into management. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From derby wins to beating both Old Firm sides, hearing Sunshine on Leith being sung around Easter Road on THREE separate occasions, culminating in Saturday's love-in between players and fans as the campaign was capped by a barmy 2-2 home draw with Rangers, it's been eventful, to say the least. Cadden has been a stand-out, too, the left wingback topping the assist charts with seven in 19 league starts. The former Barnsley wide man, who joined twin brother Chris at East Mains last summer, has also banged in five goals despite his appearances being limited by injury. Fit enough to start against Rangers at the weekend, season 2024-25 has been pretty much everything he hoped for. 'Yeah, it's been good,' he said, laughing at his own tendency towards understatement. 'Obviously the start was a wee bit ropey, and it was tough at the beginning of the season. But once we got to grips with basically winning games and getting the individual error out the way, we started to kick on. 'You can see how much it meant to everyone from the celebrations. Wednesday night in Paisley and then Sunday at home to Rangers, those were special scenes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So, yeah, now I can't wait for next year in Europe. Because this is definitely up there with anything I've experienced in my career. 'Even beating Hearts and Celtic at home, hearing Sunshine on Leith being sung all around the place, I've never experienced something like that in my life. I've been around the game a long time, I know when something's special - and those were two special days.' Wide man grew up watching Scottish clubs on big European glory nights Looking ahead to the prospect of playing either Europa League or Conference League football in season 2025-26, Cadden confessed: 'Oh, I'm buzzing. Absolutely buzzing. 'Obviously it's going to be hard. You look at all the teams we might get, and it shows how difficult it could be. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'None of us really want to look too far ahead. We just want to enjoy what we've achieved and see what summer brings. 'But all of us grew up watching European football. I've spent my life watching Scottish teams playing all the different competitions – and now I'm going to be playing in it, whether it's the Europa League or Europa Conference League.' Saturday was a day for families as well as players, as kids of varying sizes joined dads for the traditional post-match show of thanks to supporters. Some of the youngsters coped better with the sensory overload than others. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Yeah, my wee boy Leo didn't like it,' confessed Cadden. 'I tried to take him round at the end, he didn't like it. He was just crying on my shoulder. He's just turned two, he's two and three months or something. He never liked that, so I had to give him back to his grandpa. He went upstairs again. 'But I took him out as a mascot for a moment. That's a moment he'll cherish when he gets older, hopefully. He'll look back on that, and he'll see he walked out with his dad against Rangers at Easter Road. 'And, aye, maybe he'll fancy one of the European nights. Probably still a wee bit young for that! Maybe. We'll see.'
