Musselburgh Athletic 1–2 Hibernian U20
International Club Friendly
11 July 2026, 22:00 kick-off

Hibernian’s Under-20 side continued their pre-season preparations with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Musselburgh Athletic at Olivebank Stadium. The young Hibees showed composure beyond their years to overturn a first-half deficit and claim a morale-boosting win.

First Half: Musselburgh Strike First

Musselburgh Athletic started brightly and took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute. A swift move down the left flank ended with a cross that found Craig Henderson, who directed his header past the Hibernian goalkeeper. The hosts maintained their discipline for the remainder of the half, limiting Hibs’ chances to long-range efforts.

Hibernian U20 Fight Back

Hibernian’s young side came out with renewed purpose after the interval. Their equaliser arrived in the 56th minute when Josh O'Connor collected a pass on the edge of the box and unleashed a curling shot that beat the keeper at his near post. The goal lifted the visitors, and they began to dominate possession.

The winning goal came in the 74th minute. A well-rehearsed set piece saw Murray Aiken rise highest to meet a corner and power his header into the net. Musselburgh tried to respond but could not find a clear chance against a resolute Hibernian backline.

Key Performances

• Josh O'Connor (Hibernian U20) – Scored a crucial equaliser and was a threat throughout.
• Murray Aiken (Hibernian U20) – His winning header showcased excellent timing and technique.
• Craig Henderson (Musselburgh Athletic) – Gave his side the lead with a well-taken header.

Friendly Context

This match forms part of Hibernian’s efforts to blood young talents against senior non-league opposition, providing a real test of physicality and tactical awareness. Musselburgh Athletic, who compete in the East of Scotland League, used the fixture to assess their squad’s readiness for the season ahead. Both sides will take valuable lessons from the contest.