Hibs Conclude Ireland Camp, Assess New Signings, Set European Ambitions

HibernianTeam·Hibernian Football Club has wrapped up its pre-season training camp in Ireland, a pivotal phase in their preparations for the 2026/27 season and an anticipated European campaign. The intensive period allowed the squad to build match fitness, integrate new talent, and reinforce their collective ambition for continental competition.

The camp featured two friendly matches, offering valuable game time and assessment opportunities. David Gray's side faced a defeat against Shamrock RoversTeam·Shamrock Rovers but responded with a commanding 5-1 victory over Cliftonville FC. The goals against Cliftonville were distributed among several players, including new signing Jason Kerr, Nicky CaddenPlayer·Nicky Cadden, Martin Boyle, and Thibault KlidjePlayer·Thibault Klidje, highlighting the attacking depth being cultivated.

A key objective of the Ireland trip was the assessment of Hibs' latest acquisitions. Defender Jason Kerr, the club's first summer signing, made an immediate impact by finding the net against Cliftonville. Midfielders Callum Wright and Azeem Abdulai also underwent evaluation, with their integration into the squad a priority. Jamie McGrath, named the 2025/26 Academy Player of the Year, joined the senior squad for the pre-season camp in his home country, further underscoring the club's commitment to developing young talent.

The overarching theme of the camp was HibernianTeam·Hibernian's European aspirations. The rigorous training regime was specifically tailored to prepare the team for their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round fixture, scheduled to commence on July 23, 2026. Discussions within the squad frequently revolved around their continental goals.

Midfielder Jamie McGrath articulated the team's collective ambition, stating, "We want to build on last season and go one step further." This sentiment reflects a determination to progress deeper into the competition and secure a favourable draw in subsequent rounds.

HibernianTeam·Hibernian's European journey in the 2025/26 season saw them eliminated from the Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League in the second qualifying round by Midtjylland, before a subsequent exit in the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League against Legia Warsaw. Despite the eliminations, manager David Gray expressed immense pride in the team's performance, describing it as the best European showing by a Hibs side in his lifetime. During that campaign, Martin Boyle cemented his place in the club's history, becoming HibernianTeam·Hibernian's all-time leading European goalscorer with his ninth goal in continental competition against FK Partizan.

Domestically, HibernianTeam·Hibernian concluded the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season in fifth place. Their league campaign included notable victories, such as a 2-1 win over RangersTeam·Rangers in May 2026, marking the first time a Hibs team had defeated both CelticTeam·Celtic and RangersTeam·Rangers in Glasgow during the same league campaign since the 1984/85 season. With the pre-season complete, Hibs now turn their full attention to the demanding European schedule and the start of the new domestic season.