Murray: Delighted & Proud With Derby Day Victory

Following her first Edinburgh Derby encounter as Hibernian Women Head Coach, Joelle Murray was thrilled with her squad's performance as secured a last-gasp victory at Oriam.

Jess Fitzgerald opened the scoring with her first Hibs goal before Rosie Livingstone struck in the 90th minute with an iconic 25-yard finish that will live long in the memory of all Hibees in attendance to secure a vital 2-1 win for Hibs. 

Speaking to Hibs TV after the dramatic conclusion, Murray lauded praise on her players and touched on just how important Derby Day victories are for all involved with the Club.

"I’m delighted. I spoke to the players before the game about the nature of this game, how much it means to not only us as a group but also the Club, the supporters, and everyone that's associated - and the feeling that it can bring upon a successful game.

"We're delighted as a staff group for the players because I think it's certainly a result that they deserve and a result that's been coming."

Fitzgerald and Livingstone will take the majority of the acclaim from a hearty team showing as their crucial strikes sealed the victory for the Hibees, with both players filling Murray up with pride. 

"I’m really happy for Jess. She does a lot of work out of possession in her own defensive third, so to see her pop up in the final third and get her first competitive goal for the club was fantastic.

"She's come close quite a few times, so for her to see it hit the back of the net, I’m just absolutely delighted for her.

"And Rosie's goal is unbelievable. I spoke to the players about whether you're a born and bred Hibs fan or an adopted Hibs fan, it shouldn't matter because it should mean just as much.

"I’m just absolutely delighted for Rosie, she's born and bred Hibs, she absolutely loves it and to do what she's done today for the second time and then see the celebrations thereafter made me really proud to watch."

We started the match without our four first-in-line captains - with Rachael Boyle, Ellis Notley, Kirsten Reilly and Linzi Taylor ruled out - and no Eilidh Adams available in attack.

With Kathleen McGovern's early enforced exit on 11 minutes it seemed nothing was going our way, but Murray has full trust and belief in her whole squad to get the right result on Derby Day. 

"I’m really proud. Obviously it was not ideal losing McGovern as early as we did, but we speak about trust and belief in the squad. Our squad depth, the quality is fantastic.

"And for Tiree to come on and work as hard as she did, be as disruptive as she was, was really, really great to see and I think it just doubles down on that message of trust, belief in the squad - not just the starting XI but the full squad as a whole."

"Even Shiv, she's just come back from quite a lengthy injury. We're speaking about trust and belief. We trusted her and believed in her to come on and start, to wear the captain's armband and probably play longer than she should have.

"And then Jess Ramsey, another top, bright, young talent who we had no qualms about bringing on as well. Again, it’s trust, it’s belief and it’s what we know she can produce as soon as she stepped on the pitch and she certainly delivered that."

With euphoric scenes post-match between both players and supporters, Murray managed to squeeze in time to address her players on the pitch; revealing that fighting against adversity was a key part of her message to the group. 

"In the last week it's been really intense with the three games and I think game on game we built on each performance.

"And we just spoke about how they deserved it, working through the adversities of the injuries midweek, the injuries pre-game, the injuries in the game.

"We spoke about how they deserved it and how I’m truly, truly proud of this group of players."