Hibs coach Grant Murray left 'ecstatic' by players' success

Grant Murray was left 'ecstatic' as his Hibs players beat Aberdeen 3-1 at Hampden to lift the SFA Youth Cup.

Connor McLennan had put the Dons ahead before an own goal from Joe MacPherson, a Ryan Porteous header and Jamie Gullan’s late strike confirmed a league and cup double for the young Hibees.

Coach Murray, who won the competition as player with Hearts in 1993, was keen to keep the focus on his young charges.

“It’s great as manager of the 20s,” he said. “You want them to develop but these are special nights for them and you want them to go and enjoy it. I said that to them in the team talk. It’s not about us, me or the manager of the football club, it’s about them going and imposing themselves on a good surface at the National Stadium.

The Hibs squad celebrate their SFA Youth Cup win over Aberdeen. Pic: John Devlin

“Their parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and friends are all through and it’s important now that they use that to progress to the next stage of their career.”

Murray, whose side clinched the SPFL Development League title last week, was delighted with the manner in which his players went about securing yet more silverware. “I’m absolutely ecstatic with the players,” he said. “It was a big occasion, especially after winning the league. It’s always difficult as people are expecting them to go and replicate that or Aberdeen to come down and spoil the double.

“We had to shuffle it about a wee bit after losing the first goal but we saw the character they’ve got and they’ve shown that throughout the whole season. We thoroughly deserved it in the end.

“We had some key players out there, guys who have got first-team experience – Ryan [Porteous], Fraser [Murray], Oli [Shaw] and we were hoping that was going to rub off on the rest of them. They were all excellent in their individual performances. Even just wee things like Ryan getting himself booked and having to play on that. He played with his sleeves rolled up but he’s sensible and reads the game well. He then caps it off by going and getting a goal. I’m delighted for him.”