Hibs: Our readers choose their best ever XI

Over the past two weeks, we’ve been asking members of our dedicated Hibs Facebook page to name their ultimate Hibs XI.

Competition was tough with only one place per position available, however, let’s take a look as we give an overview of each Hibees legend you choose in the line-up.

Goalkeeper – Andy Goram

A legend at numerous clubs, many see Goram as the greatest Scottish goalkeeper of all-time – how else would you explain his nickname ‘The Goalie’?

The loveable ‘keeper moved to at Easter Road in the late 80s, joining from Oldham Atheltic for £325,000 and was outstanding during his time in Edinburgh.

Playing 135 games during his years in the Capital, he once famously scored from inside his own box too.

His huge potential saw him move to Rangers in 1991, where Goram went on to win five title winning meals, becoming a Scotland regular for over a decade.

Right back – John Brownlie

While many positions were hotly contested in our fans vote, the Caldercruix born full back’s position in this eleven was never in doubt. Brownlie received more votes than any other player in this team. He was quite simply Hibs’ best ever right back.

A player of immense talent, Hibees saw his quality immediately at Easter Road. A member of the famous Turnbull’s Tornado’s side, he made 322 league appearances for the club. A proper Hibs legend.

Left back – Eric Schaedler

The super fit full back was loved on the terraces of Easter Road and, despite plenty competition, was the clear winner in your vote for best ever left back. Affectionately known as ‘Schaeds’, the Scottish international brought steel to the Hibs defence.

The Biggar born defender would go on to own a pub in Edinburgh, with many of our readers commenting on how they’d share a beer with him in times gone by, while discussing the glory days of Hibernian. Schaeds is much missed.

Centre back – John Blackley

Another who played close to 300 games for Hibs, the defender was signed by Bob Shankley in the mid 1960s, but really rose to prominence when he became a regular at the club under the tuteledge of Eddie Turnbull. Blackley was one of the first names on Turnbull’s team sheet, forming a key component of his famous ‘Tornados’ side. He was a League Cup winner at Hibs and was often seen as a bit of a Rolls Royce at the back, such was his talent with the ball at his feet.

The centre back went on to represent his country at the World Cup in 1974, playing his part in Scotland’s 2-0 win over Zaire in West Germany.

Centre back – Jim Black

Described by one reader as ‘underappreciated’, Black was the perfect foil for his defensive partner John Blackley, so perhaps it is no surprise to see both players named alongside each other in this ultimate Hibs eleven.

Despite often being seen as the brawn to Blackley’s brain, the Airdrie born defender was astonishingly never booked throughout his entire career, such was his reading of the game and ability to time a challenge. Black formed part of the Hibs defence in the Scottish Cup finals in 1972 and 1975 and, based on our readers vote, is certainly not as underappreciated as he was once believed to have been.

Right wing – Gordon Smith

One of the most elegant footballers of his time, you don’t get the nickname ‘The Prince of Wingers’ unless you were pretty damn special – and Smith certainly was. Who doesn’t love a flying, tricky, goal scoring winger? Smith was all of those rolled into one – and more.

As part of Hibs’ ‘famous five’, he helped the club dominate Scottish football in the late 1940s and early 1950s, winning the title no less than three times as a Hibee. Smith was another who represented his country, amassing 19 caps for Scotland in total, captaining them twice.

Left winger – Arthur Duncan

Another hotly contested position in this ultimate Hibs XI. With greats such as Eric Stevenson and Joe Tortolano, Duncan was up against some greats but, as one reader put it, he was the ‘most consistent’ of the three.

Duncan, signed from Partick Thistle for a bargain £30,000, was as fast as a whippet, using his phenomenal speed to leave full backs for dead in the early 1970s. He gained the nickname ‘Nijinsky’ due to his numerous talents, and is fondly remembered at Easter Road for his brace in an astonishing 7-0 win over rivals Hearts. Arthur Duncan was the type of player you paid money to see.

Central midfielder – Pat Stanton

Almost 40 years after leaving the club, Stanton is still one of the first names on this team sheet for many Hibees fans. Able to play in defence or midfield, Stanton received numerous votes as the best ever in both positions, but takes his place in this side in the engine room.

A distant relative of Hibs’ first ever captain, Michael Whelehan, the Hibs legend made the perfect start to his career in Edinburgh, scoring on his debut at Motherwell, and never looked back.

One of the most treasured Hibernian players of all time, Stanton swaggers into the greatest ever Hibs team with ease.

Attacking midfield – John McGinn

Oh to relive that wonderful day in the sun at Hampden Park, May 2016, eh? A day when Alan Stubbs and his Hibs side etched their name in folklore with a last gasp victory over Rangers. While David Gray and Tony Stokes took the headlines that day, it was ‘Meatball’, a key part of Stubbs’ squad, that helped get the side there, producing numerous outstanding performances through his years at Easter Road.

He’s now a key component of Aston Villa’s Premier League side and one of Scotland’s most important players. Surprising? Certainly not to anyone at Hibs.

Striker – Lawrie Reilly

When fans discuss Hibs’ greatest player of all time, Reilly is likely to be the first name on many lips. An overwhelming amount of votes saw the ‘Famous Five’ member take the first striker slot.

Reilly was everything you’d want in a centre forward. Strong, composed and with that knack of being in the right place at the right time, his goal scoring exploits were also heralded on the international stage where he had a better goal scoring ratio than Scotland legends Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law.

With 187 Hibs goals to his name, Reilly is Easter Road royalty.

Striker – Joe Baker

Pacey, strong and exciting, Hibs fans loved Baker from the moment he burst onto the scene. The English centre forward rose to prominence just as the aforementioned Lawrie Reilly was reaching the end of his career, though many fans will agree he was more than an able replacement.

Baker scored over 100 goals for the club before he even reached the age of 22, including a memorable 29 goal haul in his debut season, so it’s easy to see why he fought off tough competition for the second striking role.

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