Hibs played out their last game of pre-season this afternoon, with another English Premiership test.
The Hibees travelled to face Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium, following Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
The game was the Testimonial match for Bolton’s goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who in the end saved Bolton from defeat.
Today’s game also ended in a 0-0 stalemate, but it turned in to a good game and the Hibees more than held their own.
Bolton had more of the ball, but Hibs passing game looked more fluent than in recent weeks, and they caused the Bolton defence some problems.
Hibs, backed by a near 3,000 strong green and white army, had midfield maestro Merouane Zemmama out with a knock he picked up in training, and his probing runs and skill on the ball were missed when Hibs pushed forward.
Keeper Ma-Kalambay pulled off a number of good saves, as Bolton carved out a few chances, none better than the one in the first half, from a Kevin Davies volley, which the 6ft 7in Belgian pushed round his right hand post.
The defence looked solid, and the midfield looked a strong unit, none more so than new signing from Falkirk, Kevin McBride, who seen a lot of the ball and used it well, not wasting many passes. He also broke up a number of Bolton attacks.
Hibs could have stolen an unlikely win in the last couple of minutes, when the ball was whipped in to the box, and for some reason new Bolton defender Zat Knight, signed from Aston Villa for £4m, ducked and the ball landed at the feet of Hibees substitute David Wotherspoon.
The Scotland U19 international seemed surprised at his gift, and only managed to stick out a leg, and guide it straight at Jaaskelainen, from just 6 yards out.
All in all a good, solid performance from the Hibees, who return from England with their heads held high.
Hibs line-up:
Ma-Kalambay
Van Zanten (McCann, 60 mins)
Hogg
Bamba
Murray
McBride (Thicot, 83 mins)
Cregg (Wotherspoon, 68 mins)
Rankin
Stevenson (Currie, 83 mins)
Riordan
Nish
Subs:
Flynn
Thicot
Currie
Wotherspoon
McCann
A special mention must go to the cracking travelling support, who made themselves well heard.
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