Hibernian 2 Glasgow City 2
So how did it come to this? Hibernian are three hours away from the SPFL title. It is the unlikeliest of success stories and it survived a torrid examination under the sun at Meadowbank on Sunday.
The attempt to ‘do a Leicester’ in the SWPL goes on. It doesn’t get any easier with Celtic at Meadowbank and Ranger at Ibrox awaiting, but the character of the Edinburgh team and the lessons learned will endure whatever happens in the next week.
This hopeful journey towards a title has been a long one. The first lessons are in geography and history. The origins of the club can be traced back to Arniston Rangers at under-age level and then Preston Athletic as seniors in 1997.
Hibernian Ladies (note the name) were born in 1999 and a Scottish Cup followed in 2003. A cup double was achieved in season 2004-2005. Then there was the wonder campaign of 2006-2007 when Kim Little came through and the league was won without a defeat. The Scottish Cup was added, too.
Here we move from geography and history to economics. The club were in financial trouble and were restructured under a community foundation. Hibs went on later to success but many players left during this period. Glasgow City v Hibs was the great rivalry, albeit the Weegies usually took the honours. Celtic and Rangers entered the fray with their budgets and infrastructure and the story of Hibs seemed destined to be one of eternal striving rather than gilded success.
This is a brief lesson but it leads us to Meadowbank on Sunday and echoes of the past. Again, the Glasgow City v Hibs rivalry was to the fore. Again, the Hibs manager was Grant Scott, who returned to the club in 2023 after being in charge when the side won the Scottish Cup and SWPL cup in 2018 and 2019.
Eilidh Adams jumps for joy after putting Hibernian 1-0 up against title rivals Glasgow City
Kathleen McGovern scores Hibernian’s second goal in their 2-2 draw with Glasgow City
HIbernian have their eye on the title after Eilidh Adams puts them in front at Meadowbank
There’s a community spirit about the team as players chat to family and friends on sidelines
He now leads a team that is in pole position for a title which can also be won by Rangers and City.
There are those who have history with the club and who are grateful no matter how this all pans out. Cat Ferguson runs the supporters’ group and was at the match with her son Murray, two, and daughter, Orla.
She has followed Hibs through several home venues including Ainslie Park and Almondvale. She is happy to bask in the sunshine of Meadowbank, though, and dreams of trips to foreign lands.
‘I have seen huge changes but all for the better,’ she said. ‘The togetherness of the club is amazing. The girls have clicked and the manager has been fab. We might not win the championship but the thought of qualifying for European football is still with us. And I would be there. I would run a bus anywhere and the kids would come, too.’
As a drum began to beat and the stand filled, she added: ‘The whole thing just gives me a buzz. It’s not just the football, it’s the football family.’
This sentiment was seconded by John Reilly who held his granddaughter, Grace, in his arms. His daughter, Kirsten, was playing for Hibs. His son, Neil, father of Grace, was in the stands.
‘The season we have had has been unexpected,’ he admitted. ‘We don’t really have a big squad but, as the manager has said a few times, we have overachieved. I genuinely think we can win the league. There is a determination about the team.’
This was exemplified by his daughter, who toiled to great effect in tough conditions. It has been a journey for Kirsten, too. She went to the University of West Alabama having played briefly for Hearts. On her return from the USA, she went to Stirling University then joined Hibs, Bristol City, Rangers and Crystal Palace. She has won a title with Rangers, a championship with Palace, and cups with Hibs. It all started with Musselburgh Windsor.
HIbernian star Kirsten Reilly poses for the cameras at Meadowbank with her niece Grace
Kirsten Reilly’s dad John Reilly loves going to the games with grand daughter Grace
The HIbernian players form a huddle before taking on Glasgow City in crucial SWPL clash
‘We live in Musselburgh and Kirsten went down there to play and she loved it,’ said her dad. ‘It was 40 girls all seeming to run after the one ball but she had a passion for it.’
She had the skill, too. At 29, she was one of the experienced players that kept Hibs composed on Sunday as City strained to win the game.
After the match, she was focused on what was to come. ‘It’s togetherness that has got us here,’ she said. That trait is needed to get over the line.
‘We all get on and we all work hard together,’ she added. That was evident in the 90 minutes yesterday but there was also a belief in the team. Reilly knows how to win and her experience will be invaluable over the three hours that separate Hibernian from a title.
Scott emerged from the manager’s room to emphasise Reilly’s assessment of the team’s major qualities.
So how did Hibs become league leaders with the season coming to a climax?
‘It’s the team ethic, it’s the togetherness in the group,’ said Scott, who has won manager of the year and has vast experience as a coach with Hearts, St Johnstone and Glasgow City. He has both sought to underplay his role and protect players from the burden of expectation.
The players have reacted with a defiant energy. ‘They fight. You saw that today,’ he said. ‘We were outplayed at times but we fought hard. That has got us through time and again this season. We have another two big pushes to come.’
The players come out on to the pitch before the big match with young supporters in tow
Tenements form the backdrop to a crucial match at Meadowbank Stadium
There’s no stopping Eilidh Adams as she scores the first goal for title chasers Hibernian
Hibs were obviously organised and well-coached, so the season has been built on solid foundations. ‘We have found a way that works for the players we have,’ said Scott. ‘We can be difficult to break down.’
Siobhan Hunter, who was immense at centre-back, also harks back to a Hibs past. She joined the club as an 11-year-old from Edina Hearts and has made 275 appearances for the Hibees.
‘You need all the parts to work,’ said Scott of a team effort in which Hunter played a huge part. ‘You need the system to work but you need the players to buy into it. They have to keep committing to the cause. There are no secrets, it’s nothing fancy. It’s hard work and belief.’
But it’s coaching, too.
‘Yes, it’s a process,’ Scott conceded. ‘We keep drip feeding the key parts of information. We are consistent with what we ask them to do. A run of good results together means it becomes less work. They react automatically. We just remind them of who we are, who we set out to be. That’s all down to the players. They have taken it all really well.’
Scott is well placed to assess the state of women’s football in Scotland. He pointed out that professionalism was now the byword as five teams have gone full-time.
Siobhan Hunter of Hibernian stops for a chat with the youngsters at Meadowbank on Sunday
Kirsten Reilly goes in for the tackle during the hard-fought draw with Glasgow City
Hibernian manager Grant Scott and Glasgow City assistant Leanne Crichton share a few words
‘The standard of work is high and the structure has improved massively. There is investment in players from all over the world,’ he said.
He is aware the game is going through an extraordinary period of evolution. ‘The work behind the scenes, the non-pitch work, has grown. It’s basically the same model as professional men’s teams. The resources and finances have improved. It’s still in its infancy, but improving.’
Hibs have grown, too. Two more strides and a major goal will have been reached.
What are Scott’s hopes for the week to come?
‘Every other team to drop points,’ he said.
There is history, geography and economics in the story of Hibernian Women. But the bottom line this week is arithmetic.
