Latest news with #JamieMcGrath
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Why McGrath fancies Hibs' chances at home to Midtjylland
Jamie McGrath says Hibs "fancy their chances" of overcoming Midtjylland at Easter Road after being disappointed to only draw in midfielder's debut goal set the tone for an impressive performance for David Gray's side, who are looking to finish the job next Thursday and secure a place in the Europa League third qualifying round against Fredrikstad of Norway."Overall we are disappointed not to win the game," McGrath told BBC Scotland. "It was a moment of magic to be fair [for Midtjylland's goal] but I don't think they cut us open from a defensive point of view."Going the other way I think we could be a bit better. We missed a few passes we really could have hurt them with, but the goal was to keep the tie alive for next week and we are in a good position."It's a tough place to come. They are a Champions League team but we missed some really good opportunities on the transition which maybe on another night we can score one or two more."They are obviously favourites for the tie but what we saw on Thursday night we will get at Easter Road as well. We will be looking to fancy our chances at Easter Road as well."With the Easter Road crowd, the place will be absolutely buzzing so I am looking forward to being part of that next week."
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'More positives than negatives' for Hibs in Midtjylland draw
Goalkeeper Jordan Smith was proud of how Hibs handled the tough mentality test in their draw with dangerous Danish side Jamie McGrath's early opener, Smith and his defence dealt with everything the hosts could muster until he was beaten by Aral Simsir's superb free-kick into the top result means Hibs head into next Thursday's second leg at Easter Road knowing a win will be enough to see them into the third qualifying round of the Europa League."It was a tough tie, they asked a lot of questions of us, and ultimately we were probably a bit disappointed that we didn't win the game having been in that winning position," Smith told HibsTV. "However, there are certainly more positives to take out of the game than negatives - we're fairly happy going back to Easter Road with it all to play for."It was a very mentally testing game for me, but defensively we've got a really good understanding of each other at the back. They are a quality side, with quality players – so we knew they were going to ask us questions, but I think we stood up to that task."It was nice to make my European debut at the age of 30 as well."I'm really proud of the boys. We didn't let the occasion get to us, we showed the opposition respect without showing them too much respect, and we took the game to them. We showed moments of our own quality and we did the other side of the game really well."If you had asked us before the game, we probably would've taken that result. It is all to play for next week."
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Scotsman
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Danish media react to FC Midtjylland vs Hibs as Easter Road fear arises
Here's how the Danish media viewed Hibs and the travelling Easter Road faithful on their Europa League travels. 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 have set the scene for a memorable night in Leith next week after a hard fought 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland. Jamie McGrath's free kick was cancelled out by Aral Simisir's effort after half time in the Europa League second qualifying round first leg, but level terms away from home is still a fine result for head coach David Gray. He and his team will now be backed by a packed home crowd looking to will their team over the line. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The hosts on Thursday night have been left licking their wounds after failing to win at home, and the Danish media have reacted to how events played out. From a catchy Hibs anthem that refuses to go away to fears over Midtjylland's Europa League fate, here are the verdicts from afar. Tipsbladet 'FC Midtjylland had to settle for 1-1 when the team started qualifying for the Europa League on Thursday. In the home match against Scottish Hibernian in the second round, the team pushed for victory, but had to settle for a draw, and thus it is just before the return match in Scotland next Thursday. FCM had chances to win, but conversely the team did not deliver the best performance. 'The Midtjyderne team got off to a terrible start to the match. The Scottish away team took the Herning team to task and had several attempts in the opening minutes by Martin Boyle. And after just six minutes the goal came. Most in the box were expecting a free kick from the left, but Jamie McGrath took the chance and surprised keeper Jonas Lössl, who only managed to save the ball after it had crossed the goal line. The goal woke up the Mid-Jytland team, and they managed to put pressure on the away team for much of the first half. But without any results. Boyle found the back of the net for the Scots, but the goal was disallowed due to offside. In the second half, FCM pressed on, but without having many completely open chances.' Indkast 'It took a David Beckham-like free kick to save FC Midtjylland. There's no mistaking it: European football is back in Herning. The first episode is called Hibernian – a Scottish team that at first glance looks like FCM's arch-rivals from Viborg in their green-and-white jerseys. And they have a favourite song, written by KC and the Sunshine Band back in 1975. It plays over and over again. From my usual spot in Herning – the regular eatery I always end up at when there are European matches – you can follow the travelling fans... and eat a portion of Bolognese while listening to their favourite chants. And if anyone knows how to contribute with atmosphere and mood, it's the Scots. They don't hold back, especially with their vocal cords. This applies both in the city centre and at the stadium, where we are now moving. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'FCM primarily tries to cross – not exactly the sharpest weapon against a Scottish team where the players learned to head before they learned to talk. But then came the set piece that was needed. Aral Simsir sent a free kick into the goal after 71 minutes – a kick that David Beckham would envy. It finally made the Scots rest their voices for a moment. That's all there is to it. And when the game ends, the Hibernian fans can once again sing: 'That's the way – aha aha – I like it – aha aha' with their players. They don't care about FCM's 74 percent possession and an xG of 1.51 against their own of 0.48.' Bold 'FC Midtjylland began their qualification for the Europa League on Thursday when Scottish Hibernian visited the Mid-Jutland heath. Thomasberg's troops got off to a far from ideal start to their European adventure. After seven minutes, the Scots were awarded a free kick on the side of the field, but Jamie McGrath did not hesitate to kick directly at goal and shocked FCM. Ten minutes before half-time, Kevin Mbabu had a huge chance close to goal on a set piece, but Hibernian's goalkeeper saved. It remained 1-1, and everything is at stake when the return match takes place in Scotland next Thursday. Campo 'FC Midtjylland's dreams of the Europa League suffered a huge blow when Hibernian visited Herning in the first match of the second round of qualification. The Midtjyderne team got off to a shocking start to the match when the visitors took the lead after a few minutes on a direct free kick, where goalkeeper Jonas Lössl looked far from convincing. FCM struggled in the first half, and were close to falling further behind later, but the linesman waved offside. Last year's silver medallists were behind at half-time, but came back better in the second half. 'After 70 minutes, the first redemption came when Aral Simsir beautifully knocked a free kick into the net. However, it was the last goal, and therefore FCM has a bad starting point for next week's return match in Scotland.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Herning Folkeblad 'FC Midtjylland's Europa League dreams are under pressure after Thursday's 1-1 draw against Scottish side Hibernian. The ambition is the ticket to the league game in the Europa League, but the dream is already under pressure at FC Midtjylland. On Thursday evening, the Danish vice-champions had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home against Scottish Hibernian FC in the first of two duels in the second qualifying round. A beautiful gem from Aral Simsir, who scored in the second half on a direct free kick from 20 meters, kept the Wolves alive, who still have their backs against the wall before next Thursday's return match in Scotland. 'The Wolves were big favourites before the match at MCH Arena, but against the hard-fighting underdogs, who finished third in the Scottish Premiership last season, an ailing and uninspired FCM team rarely managed to reach the necessary level. With a draw in Herning, FC Midtjylland will now have to dig deep for a victory when the return match takes place in Edinburgh next Thursday. A total sellout of 20,000 passionate spectators is expected at Hibernian's home ground, Easter Road Stadium.'
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Jamie McGrath and Troy Parrott bag goals in European action
Jamie McGrath scored inside seven minutes of his Hibernian debut as David Gray's side secured a first-leg draw in Denmark in the Europa League second round first leg. Former Aberdeen midfielder McGrath opened the scoring from a free-kick as Hibs drew 1-1 against Midtjylland in the Europa League second qualifying round. McGrath spotted a gap at the near post as the home goalkeeper awaited a cross after the Republic of Ireland international had won a free-kick on the left wing. His effort was clawed out from behind the line as Hibs delighted more than 1,000 noisy away fans following a bright start. Hibs were 18 minutes from claiming an away win but Aral Simsir curled home from a 25-yard free-kick to leave the tie all square ahead of next Thursday's second leg at Easter Road. Meanwhile Troy Parrott scored for AZ Alkmaar in a 4-3 away defeat to Ilves Tampere from Finland in the Conference League second round first leg. Parrott equalised to make it 1-1 but the Dutch side fell to a surprise loss ahead of the second leg back in the Netherlands.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs have it all to play for after averting danger in Denmark - a big Easter Road European night awaits
Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Easter Road will be lively next Thursday when Hibs welcome FC Midtjylland to Edinburgh for the return leg of this Europa League qualifier, with the tie deadlocked at 1-1 following a competitive first leg in Denmark. Midtjylland reached the knock-out phase of last season's competition and recently took part in the group stages of the Champions League, yet Hibs stood up to the task. Overcoming this opponent remains a big ask, but David Gray's men have a fighting chance back at what should be a sold-out home venue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hibs showed all the resoluteness of the team that finished third in the Premiership last term to earn a score draw. They defended stoutly and were only undone by an individual piece of brilliance from Adan Simsir with a sumptuous free-kick midway through the second half. That strike cancelled out Jamie McGrath's seventh-minute opener for the visitors - also from a set-piece - although it wasn't quite as flashy, the Irishman given assistance by a shoddy piece of goalkeeping from Jonas Lossl. Hibs took the lead on seven minutes when Jamie McGrath, left, scored on his debut. | AP Hibs deserved that break. They worked tirelessly all night at the MCH Arena, where more illustrious teams have crumbled. Goalkeeper Jordan Smith was solid. The back three of Warren O'Hora, Rocky Bushiri and Jack Iredale stood up to an aerial bombardment, especially from set plays, and the highly-regarded Midtjylland striker Franculino was kept in check. In midfield, Dylan Levitt and Josh Mulligan dovetailed nicely in their first match together, while wing-backs Chris Cadden and Jordan Obita put in a shift. Ahead of them, the attacking trio of McGrath, Martin Boyle and Kieron Bowie all carried their own threats. This was a proper team effort. Midtjylland manager Thomas Thomasberg exuded confidence when this draw for the second qualifying round was made last month, saying he fully believed his team would prevail. Such bullishness may have come down a notch given how despite dominating possession, the Danes toiled to find a way through a well-organised Hibs. Gray and his coaching staff will take great pride in the way his players executed their gameplan. In possession, they were a 3-4-1-2 that countered swiftly, dropping into a 5-4-1 without the ball. Hibs were a disciplined unit all night, and did not miss key defender Lewis Miller, who was absent due to injury. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hibs debutants play their part Mulligan and McGrath made their debuts and both had telling impacts. Mulligan was asked to fulfil the role so aptly performed by Sunderland loanee Nectar Triantis last season and did so. McGrath has settled into this Hibs team seamlessly too and showed his prior European experience with Aberdeen. Record signing Thibault Klidje also came on later to make his first appearance in green and white. After enjoying what the town of Herning has to offer prior to kick-off, more than 1000 Hibs fans squeezed into the away end and celebrated joyously on seven minutes when their team took the lead. From out wide on the left, McGrath spotted that Lossl had edged over to his far post and whipped in his effort towards the other side. The ex-Huddersfield keeper could not get across in time and the ball crept over the goalline before he clawed it away. Midtjylland took a while to settle but once doing so they displayed good composure on the ball. They probed away at Hibs, yet found no opening. In fact, the visitors had the ball in the net again on 41 minutes when Boyle scampered through on the counter, only to be denied by a tight but correct offside flag. The Australian will have to wait at least another week for his 100th goal for the club. The Hibs players left it all out there in Herning against Midtjylland. | AP Midtylland found another gear in the second half. Hibs were content to soak up the pressure. Thomasberg turned to his bench in search of inspiration but it was one of his starters in Simsir who eventually unlocked the door on 72 minutes. A foul by Iredale gave away a free-kick central of goal but some 25 yards out. The 23-year-old Turk expertly bent the ball over the wall and past a helpless Smith. It was a strike of real quality. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nevertheless, Hibs remained unflustered. Boyle saw a half-chance slip away from him before making way for Klidje. The home crowd got exasperated and tempers started to fray on the pitch too, with Hibs happy to time-waste and frustrate their hosts. Smith, Iredale, Obita, O'Hora and Alasana Manneh all picked up yellow cards. Battle will recommence next Thursday in Edinburgh. A third qualifying round date with Norwegian side Fredrikstad awaits the victors, with the losers dropping into the Conference League to play either Oleksandriya of Ukraine or Serbian side Partizan Belgrade, who won the first leg 2-0 away from home.
