Report: Hibs 0 MSV Duisburg 0

We began our pre-season campaign with a hard-fought goalless draw against MSV Duisburg in the Netherlands.

Chances were few and far between as both sides battled through the high temperatures, in what was a good first run out of the season.

Gray used the opportunity as a good chance to get minutes into the legs of several players, with the likes of Jamie McGrath, Rafael Sallinger making their first appearances for the Club – whilst Elie Youan also returned after missing a large part of the 2024/25 campaign through injury.

Academy youngsters, Dean Cleland, Lewis Gillie, Joseph McGrath, Logan Jimenez and Rory Whittaker all got important match minutes at First Team level.

The Hibees started the match with real intensity and purpose to their play – zipping the ball around in the opposition half.

Dean Cleland and Warren O’Hora were the first to threaten with a couple of headers early on from set-pieces. There were good early touches from Lewis Gillie, Cleland and Jacob MacIntyre who all look at ease stepping into the First Team.

The first real chance of the game fell to Cleland after a flowing counter-attacking move, Jacob MacIntyre linked up well with Chris Cadden, before Josh Campbell picked out Elie Youan. The Frenchman was unselfish and pulled it back to Dean Cleland, whose curling effort was tipped over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.

The German side settled and began to work their way back into the game, but did very little to trouble Raphael Sallinger in the opening 22 minutes before both teams paused for a water break due to the high temperatures in Wissel, Gelderland.

After the first stoppage, Duisburg came out the traps quickly and probably should’ve gone ahead through striker, Tim Heike. The hosts won the ball up high up the pitch and after a smart one-two, Heike found himself through on goal – dragging his shot wide of the far post.

Both teams battled hard in the hot conditions, with the defences remaining firmly on top in the opening 45.

Half-time: Hibernian 0 MSV Duisburg 0

Gray made two changes at the break, with Jordan Smith replacing Sallinger in goal and Jamie McGrath making his first appearance for the Hibees – coming on for Josh Campbell in the middle of the pitch.

Elie Youan started the second half well and looked to cause the opposition problems with his direct running and pace.

Nicky Cadden went close to breaking the deadlock, after his whipped in free-kick evaded everyone in the penalty area – it just needed a touch to help it on its way.

The game began to open up in the second period, and Jordan Smith was called into action moments later – making a smart stop at his near post from Steffen Meuer.

On the hour mark, Gray continued to freshen things up with Joseph McGrath, Rory Whittaker, Logan Jimenez, Kanayo Megwa and Alasana Manneh all introduced to the action. Chris Cadden, Nicky Cadden, Elie Youan, Marvin Ekpiteta and Dylan Levitt were the players to make way.

Warren O’Hora had an effort cleared off the line from a set-piece before Jordan Smith made a brilliant one-handed save, diving to his right to deny a long-range shot from Bookjans just before the second water-break of the match.

In the final 15 minutes, Thilo Topken got on the end of a dangerous cross from the left-hand side, but his touch let him down and Jordan Smith was able to able to gather.  

Shortly after, Dean Cleland was played through on goal, and forced a good save from Duisburg ‘keeper Paris.

Bookjans fired into the side-netting as both teams continued to battle in the heat, but neither side could find that elusive opening goal and we began our pre-season with a goalless draw.