Man Utd loanee ready for ‘amazing’ Edinburgh Derby atmosphere after ‘worth the wait’ Hibs debut
Jacob Devaney excited for first taste of Hearts rivalry that was a ‘big attraction’ of Easter Road transfer move.
Hibs’ loan midfielder Jacob Devaney says experiencing the Edinburgh Derby atmosphere was a ‘big attraction’ when deciding where he would play his football this season.
The 19-year-old, who was at St Mirren for the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, arrived back in Scotland to join David Gray’s side from English giants Manchester United last Sunday. Unfortunately, signing between legs of their UEFA Conference League play-off round tie meant he couldn’t be registered for the match with Gent at Easter Road.
That meant he was raring to go when he made his Hibs debut in the starting line-up at Dens Park where they picked up a well deserved three points from a 2-1 victory. After the match the Republic of Ireland youth international described his debut as ‘worth the wait’.
Man Utd midfielder ‘really enjoyed’ Hibs debut after return to Scottish football
He said: “I really enjoyed the game. Obviously, I've been in the building since Monday, so it was quite a long build-up for me, obviously not being able to play in the game on Thursday, but it was definitely worth the wait and I really enjoyed it.”
“I've really enjoyed being in and around the training facility and the build-up to the game on Thursday [against Gent]. Obviously, I was gutted I couldn't play and I was at the game but I think I'll have a really good time here and I'll really enjoy it.
“I thought the lads played really well on Thursday and I feel like we brought a lot of the positives from Thursday into today. We wanted to show people how good of a team we are and I think we showed that at times today.
“I thought it was a really good performance and like you said, we held on in the end, which was the main thing, getting the three points. The thing is, the lads could have been forgiven for letting their heads drop after what happened on Thursday.
“A bit of disappointment, but it just shows there's a real spirit in that first team. Yeah, there is. Like I said before, there's a great bunch of lads in there, with staff included, and I think it's a group of winners as well. We want to go out and keep getting three points.”
Conditions for Sunday’s match at Dens Park meant that both teams were able to move the ball about the pitch with pace as the light showers throughout the day left the immaculate looking playing surface greasy but not heavy. “I like to play on a pitch with a bit of zip on it, and the rain definitely helped with that.” added Devaney.
On what he hopes to get from his loan spell at Hibs, the Manchester United teenager added: “ Just more experience and a bit of success as well. I feel like coming in, having a week with the lads, I think we've got a real good bunch of people, staff and players as well. I feel like we can really achieve something this year and hopefully alongside getting games, we can be successful and win something.
“I feel like it's a massive club in Scotland, and a team, and a group of people that can push for success this year. Keep grinding out three points in the league and hopefully have a good two cup runs as well.”
Hibs new boy excited to experience Edinburgh Derby atmosphere when Hearts travel to Easter Road this week
Although he couldn’t experience the Easter Road atmosphere last week the new signing is hoping to put that right and make his home debut this week. There’s no bigger stage for him to do it on as rivals Hearts make the short trip to Leith on Thursday night.
It’s a match that he has only ever seen on television but was a big part of the appeal of moving to Hibs with plenty of other clubs reportedly interested in his services. “I’m really looking forward to it,” said Devaney.
“I've only ever watched the Edinburgh Derby on TV, but that was definitely a big attraction for me. Coming to Hibs was to be a part of the Derby and yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
“ I'm sure I'll get a real good insight [from teammates] from now until Thursday. “It should be a good atmosphere. Obviously, I've got a good glimpse of what the fans can be like on Thursday. Walking out, the fans were amazing. It was a real goosebumps moment, the first five or ten minutes, knowing that I could potentially be playing in front of the fans on Thursday. So yeah, I'm looking forward to it.”