Joseph McGrath Reflects On Academy POTY Win
Hibernian U19s captain Joseph McGrath was selected by his own teammates as the 2025/26 Hibernian FC U19 Player of the Year.
McGrath has been a standout performer for Darren McGregor's U19s squad, both domestically and in Europe - and now is enjoying a very successful loan spell at Stranraer.
Since joining Hibs aged eight, the centre-back has continually impressed through the age groups and has regularly captained his squads whilst performing on the international stage for his country.
After picking up his cherished award at our Emerald Decorators 2025/26 Hibernian FC Academy Awards ceremony, McGrath reflected on his spectacular season to date.
"It's a great feeling, knowing that it's the boys that have voted for me.
"It's nice being with them every single day, so it's good to feel appreciated by them as well.
"It's been brilliant going through the Academy. Seeing the boys a couple of years ago playing in the Youth League, the night we went and watched that, I'm thinking, we want to go and do that.
"So it was an honour obviously to be able to play out there (at Easter Road) with my team as well. It was a great feeling."
This season, Joseph has stepped up to train with David Gray's First Team, and was also named on the bench for our William Hill Premiership fixture versus Falkirk in January.
Whilst noting he has received great support from all members of the First Team, the 19-year-old noted fellow centre-backs Warren O'Hora and Grant Hanley as great mentors within the squad.
McGrath believes the experience of training alongside the senior squad, as well as travelling to the Netherlands with the team for pre-season, and performing against Duisburg and Ajax, has helped him greatly.
"I think training with the First Team is definitely the best thing for me, and obviously getting that exposure in pre-season as well, it helped me with my confidence.
"And then getting on the bench in January, that helped me so much."
This exposure to the First Team has aided the young centre-back's development and pathway into professional football, which was accelerated in January when he joined William Hill League Two side Stranraer.
He has since played every single minute for his loan club, impressing at Stair Park as the Blues continue their promotion play-off push - even scoring his first goal in senior football against Edinburgh City back in March.
"By playing in the Youth League earlier in the season, I think by January it was the perfect time for me to go out on loan.
"I was on the bench (for the First Team) the week before, and then I went straight into the squad the next week for Stranraer and played the full game.
"Playing every minute with them, that's just going to help me so much. I've had so much experience already from it, I feel like I've matured as a player already and definitely feeling the benefits of it."
Alongside his domestic and continental exploits in club football, with both Hibs and Stranraer, McGrath has also held his own internationally with Scotland U19s.
This season, Joseph has performed against Italy twice while also featuring in the Young Team's UEFA Euro U19 Championship qualification campaign.
"I think international football is always going to help you because you're playing against players that are on a very high level.
"And you're playing with the best players in the country. I feel like it's given me that confidence as well.
"For when I'm going away, I feel comfortable in there," McGrath added. "But it's obviously exciting to get back and see the boys as well, it's always very good.
"Obviously the lads are my teammates, but it's a lot more than that. For travelling to European games, there’s obviously a lot of time for team bonding.
"I think as a group, we've had long journeys, but it's always been enjoyable and we've always been able to have that smile on our face because together we're really close as a group."
Hibernian U19s Head Coach, and former Hibs centre-back, Darren McGregor presented Joseph with his award at the prizegiving.
As someone who knows what it takes to be a leader and a core part of a successful Hibs side, McGregor commended McGrath for his attitude, perserverence and professionalism - both on and off the pitch - at our Academy Awards ceremony.
"Joe has been the captain for the last couple of years, and he's been a standout. A model Academy graduate who really continues his consistency on and off the pitch.
"He's captain because he's very humble and he's hard-working. He deals well with adversity.
"He's been an ever-present in our Challenge Cup and CAS (Elite U19 League) campaign as well, also he's obviously played in the Youth League Champions Pathway, and he has trained with the First Team and been in squads.
"He's now at Stranraer and he's doing really well there, so the future's definitely bright for Joe."