Hibernian opened their pre‑season tour with a dominant 5‑1 victory over Cliftonville on July 5, 2026, thanks to a double from new signing Thibault Klidje. The Togo striker, who joined for a club‑record fee last summer, proved his worth early, guiding the Edinburgh side to a comfortable win away from home.

How did the match unfold?

Jason Kerr gave Hibs the lead in the 12th minute, heading home from an Owen Elding cross. Cliftonville captain Rory Hale equalised shortly after, but a deflected strike from Nicky Cadden restored the advantage. Before the break, Martin Boyle added a third, slotting the ball home after a quick break. The second half saw Klidje introduced at the interval; he nodded in from close range after a corner, then sealed the win with a powerful finish from a Chris Cadden pass as the visitors played the final 20 minutes with ten men following a knock to skipper Joe Newell.

Why is Klidje’s performance significant?

Klidje arrived on loan at Danish side Randers in January after scoring four goals in 30 appearances for Hibernian. His brace in this friendly suggests he can translate that form back to the Scottish Premiership. The club‑record fee paid for the 24‑year‑old striker reflects the ambition of manager Nick Montgomery, who hopes the forward can boost a side that has scored 51 goals and conceded 37 this season, a +14 goal difference.

What does this mean for Hibernian’s season outlook?

The win comes as Hibernian sit 5th in the Premiership with 51 points from 33 games (13 W‑12 D‑8 L) and a recent form of LWWLL, having lost their last two league matches, the most recent a 0‑1 defeat to Motherwell on May 16, 2026. While pre‑season results don’t count, the attacking display and defensive solidity give fans hope that the team can close the 19‑point gap to leaders Heart of Midlothian and climb the table.

Who should watch next?

Beyond Klidje, the performance of Jason Kerr, who continues to provide aerial threat, and the midfield partnership of Martin Boyle and Chris Cadden will be key. Montgomery will likely use the remaining friendlies to fine‑tune tactics before the league campaign resumes in August. If the squad maintains this intensity, Hibs could turn recent losses into a stronger push for a top‑four finish.