Hibs will take a lead into their UEFA Youth League second round first leg match against French side Nantes after an impressive 1-0 success in the home leg.
Thousands of fans turned up to watch the Hibees youngsters at Easter Road after they made this round following a victory over Molde. Ethan Laidlaw netted a penalty after half-time to provide them a huge chance of making it to the play-off round against a group runner-up, with the return leg coming next Wednesday in France.
Academy director Steve Kean told the Edinburgh Evening News of Hibs ' progression chances: “We’ve seen enough to know that we can go and get a result over there. This game was a step up and the opposition were great, but we matched them and we grew and got better as the game went on. We’re delighted to go over to France with a lead, but slightly disappointed it wasn’t two or three.
READ MORE: Lee Johnson dismisses Hibs red card factor as reason for St Johnstone second half dismay
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"We probably had the best chances, but they had 60 per cent possession. But they didn’t really create any chances, mainly shorts from distance.
“We had to change shape. Early on they were really controlling and here wasn’t a lot of pressure on the ball. We changed to a back three.
"The lads adapted well and in the second half we were excellent. We had our best spell midway though the second half and should probably have had another goal or two.”
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