Hibs kids to take on might of England

Published on Thursday 20 March 2008 09:40

HIBS' under-19 side are to end their season by taking part in a prestigious tournament against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The Easter Road outfit's incomparable record of producing home-grown talent has prompted Spurs to issue an invite for the kids to travel to London in mid-May.

There they will take on Manchester United at Tottenham's Spurs Lodge training centre before facing the host club the following day and then rounding off their stay with a match against South African side Supersports, one of the London outfit's feeder teams.

The invitation to Hibs was the suggestion of Anton McElhone, the Easter Road club's former sports scientist, who now works with Spurs. But youth academy manager Bill Hendry has no doubts Hibs' reputation for nurturing young players also played a major part in persuading Spurs to get in touch, representatives of Tottenham having been regular visitors to Easter Road in recent seasons.

Midfielder Kevin Thomson was said to be high on the White Hart Lane club's radar before his 2million move to Rangers while Spurs scouts also watched the likes of Garry O'Connor, Derek Riordan, Scott Brown and Steven Whittaker.

Hendry said: "Spurs were looking for opposition and Anton told them we had a strong under-19 side, probably better than reasonable. Spurs then got in touch, outlined what they were proposing and asking if we were available. It seemed the ideal way for our boys to bring their season to a conclusion.

"It's quite a prestigious tournament and playing against the likes of Spurs and Manchester United will give our boys the chance to measure their progress. Obviously it's quite pleasing to receive such an invitation and, hopefully, it's a reflection of the reputation Hibs have for working with young talent.

"I'm aware of Spurs interest in some of our former players in the past and I think Alan Hutton's 9m move from Rangers has perhaps reminded them there is a fair bit of talent up here."

Hibs' under-19s will be in action against Motherwell at Berwick Rangers' Shielfield Park tomorrow (kick-off 1.00pm) and will face Celtic in the quarter-final of the SFA Youth Cup at Celtic Park next Wednesday (kick-off 7.00pm), with Aberdeen awaiting the winners.