Two goals from Josh O’Connor added to Runar Hauge’s first half penalty rounded off an impressive victory against English opposition.
Having beaten Newcastle Reserves last month in another testing friendly, Steve Kean’s side took on Middlesbrough U23 Select in what was an intriguing tactical battle.
Speaking to hibernianfc.co.uk after the match, Steve Kean praised his side's performance and versatility against an unknown opposition.
“It took until the second half for us to properly get going. When you are playing against unknown teams, you have to learn to adapt the way you play.
“We had to tweak a few things at half time – we almost created a second gameplan at half-time. We grabbed the game in the middle of the pitch and got our midfield players on the ball.
"We kept the ball really well and that gave us a platform to build and play from.
“We mentioned at half time that we were trying to go too forward too early. In the second period, we took much more care of the ball – we moved it across the back four nicely and got Jacob MacIntyre and Murray Aiken on the ball more.
“Runar, Ethan and Josh O’Connor were all running in behind. I couldn’t be more complimentary of our second-half performance.”
Kean continued his praise, signalling out the back four and goalkeeper, Freddie Owens – the U18s shot-stopper who made the step up on Tuesday.
“I must mention the back four – Kyle, Daz, Oscar and Kanayo were outstanding and totally nullified any threat that Middlesbrough had, particularly in the second half. We were determined not to give up the clean sheet.
“Freddie Owens was excellent as well, he made the step up to the Development Squad, didn’t put a foot wrong and deserved his clean sheet.
“Finally, it was great to get Runar out of the treatment room and gym and back out on the football pitch today, he gave us a different out ball and it was good to see him back.”
