Loan Watch: First Pro Goal For Isla Taylor

Five young Hibees have been gaining a taste of senior football while out on loan – read up on their experiences below!

Isla Taylor - Partick Thistle 

Attacking midfielder Isla Taylor has made a fantastic start to life on loan at Partick Thistle following a whirlwind year breaking into our First Team set-up. 

The young talent made her professional Hibs debut in the league - against Queen's Park - last February and picked up a league winners' medal in May; before making her first appearances in the UEFA Women's Champions League and the Scottish Cup at just 15 years of age.

Now 16, Isla has made the move out on loan to Petershill Park, where she is gaining valuable first team experience with Partick Thistle. 

Since joining Gary Holt's side on loan in January, the midfielder has started all three of the Jags' most recent league games 

Taylor would crucially score Thistle's second goal in a 2-1 away victory over Montrose last weekend to help her loanee club keep the pressure on the Links Park club in the race for top six!

Latching onto a crossfield pass, she would surge forward and strike low with her left foot to become Partick Thistle Women's youngest-ever SPWPL goalscorer. 

Ava Whitson - Boroughmuir Thistle

Centre-forward Ava Whitson is getting used to Meadowbank Stadium whilst out on loan, as she is enjoying a productive spell with Boroughmuir Thistle.

After spending time on loan with Livingston last season, Ava has returned to ScottishPower Women's Premier League 2 to test herself at a strong level in senior football.

Ava has made 16 appearances for Thistle since joining on loan at the start of the season.

Since the summer, the youngster has scored four goals - including a delightful dinked finish against former side, Livingston - and nabbed one assist.

Whitson's contributions has helped Boroughmuir keep up a strong campaign so far, with the Edinburgh side comfortably holding a promotion play-off position whilst sitting third place in SPWPL2.  

Layla Clyde - Stirling University

It has been a tough season for the Stirling University, who currently sit bottom of the second-tier - though one bright spark has been Hibs Academy defender Layla Clyde, who joined the club on loan at the start of the campaign.

Layla has made 11 starts in 15 total appearances this season for Stirling, with a strong 79% pass completion rate the standout stat from the defender's season so far. 

Isla Gourley - Gartcairn 

Isla Gourley has recently joined ScottishPower Women's Premier League 2 outfit Gartcairn on loan in search for first team experiences.

The winger has made four appearances - including three starts - since temporarily signing on at MTC Park.

Gourley was also voted Gartcairn's Player of the Match last week in their closely-fought encounter with Boroughmuir Thistle.  

The Cairn are currently sixth in SPWPL2 and are seeking to overtake Dundee United to secure a second consecutive top-half finish in the league.

Bella Smart - Stirling University

Academy keeper Bella Smart had featured twice on the bench for Hibs this season - in massive fixtures against Hearts and Glasgow City - before making a move to gain minutes.

Joining up with Layla Clyde in January, the 17-year-old has already made three starts for Stirling University since joining on loan a few weeks ago.