Murray On Accies Win & Promising Academy Pipeline

Joelle Murray lavished praise on her team, including players returning from injury and Academy youngsters, following our "professional" 5-0 league victory over Hamilton Academical.

It was a first victory as Head Coach for Murray following her appointment across the winter break, with Eilidh Adams striking twice alongside fellow scorers Ciara Grant, Rosie Livingstone and Rachael Boyle to secure the three points.

Hannah Jordan made her first league start for the Club while Kathleen McGovern continued to build up minutes off the bench against Robert Watson's side.

"It was a very professional performance from the players today," Murray told Hibs TV. "We asked them to to show discipline, structure and within that quality, and I think you can see in large spells that they gave us exactly that. I think all round, it was a very professional display today. 

"It's difficult [to play against a low block]. I've been there and done that myself. You enjoy a lot of the ball and it's about how you bring them out of that defensive structure and defensive discipline by moving it quick side to side, purposeful passes. And it's difficult for the players at the top end of the pitch because they're playing in amongst the busyness.

"I thought McGovern came on and done really, really well. Made an instant impact, hit the bar, had fantastic aggressive action. She certainly can be proud of her display today as another one that we're looking just to build minutes.

"I think this afternoon, when you look at the scorers and the play that we provided, I think the girls can go away and be very, very proud of themselves."

Alongside the players returning from the treatment table, there was a senior debut for 16-year-old NextGen star Olivia Cornet - as well as a first matchday squad inclusion for Lucy Stevenson, another 16-year-old Academy player.

"It's been great. Building minutes in players that have been restricted so far. Jess Ramsey came on the pitch and had a fantastic impact. And Olivia Cornet, who played 90 minutes yesterday for our Under-17s. There's lots of lots of positives to take away from today's game outwith the three points.

"It's obviously the purpose of our academy. We've got a really, really good fluid academy and you can see the pipeline coming to fruition with Jess Ramsey, and Olivia Cornet making her debut. And also Lucy Stevenson on the bench.

"For us, those girls are the future. We obviously want to transition from within, develop within, as well as looking out with, and I think you can see we're certainly doing that. I think the pipeline is extremely healthy."

Next up for Murray's side is a crucial Sky Sports Cup Semi-Final tie against Glasgow City at Meadowbank Stadium; kick-off 5:15pm on Saturday 31 January.

An opportunity to reach a first cup final as Hibs boss, Murray will not be flustered by the change of match day and hopes yet another large crowd can back the Hibees next weekend.

"We'll adapt and adjust accordingly towards a Saturday matchday opposed to a Sunday matchday. So it certainly doesn't [impact preparations]. We'll do all our normal things on the pitch and off the pitch. And we'll set up like we do for every other game and treat it with the utmost respect, of course.

"It'll be a difficult tie, against top opposition. But we've got great trust and belief in the group of girls that we've got here at the club. Hopefully it's a very competitive and successful one.

"The fans have been fantastic all this season and all last season. The impact that they have is enormous. You've seen it again today, a big crowd.

"So, I think for me, if you are free and able to come along to that game next week, then please do so because the impact and the lift that it gives the players is enormous."