Three moments you may have missed from Hibs B team’s SPFL Trust Trophy exit

Three moments you may have missed from the Hibs B team’s SPFL Trust Trophy exit at the hands of Brechin City on penalties at Newtongrange Star’s New Victoria Park.

Johnson’s number mix-up

Emanuel Johnson was stripped and ready to come on as part of a double substitution in the 61st minute – only for the referee to notice that the 19-year-old American had the wrong shirt number on his back. He was wearing 17, listed on the team sheet as Owen Hastie, and had to do a quick change before coming on. It wasn’t in the same league as the embarrassing admin error in the Premier Sports Cup when Rocky Bushiri played under suspension, but suggests Hibs might still have a bit of work to do on that front.

Loanees making their mark

Kyle McClelland in action for Hibs B against Brechin City. Picture: Phil Johnson

The rules of this competition mean players out of loan at other clubs can play for the parent club instead. That meant Hibs were able to field three players currently out on loan at FC Edinburgh. Allan Delferrière played 90 minutes, initially in an attacking central midfield role in a 4-2-3-1. He was later booked for persistent fouling. Johnson nearly came on with the wrong shirt but later caught the eye with a swashbuckling turn on the edge of the Brechin box. Brydon, who replaced Paul Hanlon at half time, was culpable for the Brechin goal. With first-team manager Lee Johnson looking on, the three players out on loan certainly made their mark in one way or another.

Jambo mixing with Hibees

Craig Levein isn’t often seen mingling among Hibs fans on the terracing. But the former Hearts and Scotland boss was doing just that as he stood and watched the action unfold at New Victoria Park. Levein has some sort of ‘director of football’ role at Brechin City these days. He was impressed by his team’s performance and delighted with the result. Recruiting experienced players to play in the Highland League isn’t easy, but the display against Hibs suggests he’s done a good job with the youngsters he’s helped to bring in. Brechin have won three out of three in the Highland League so far and look like they will be in the title race.