Hibernian academy prospect Oscar MacIntyre has returned to Queen of the South on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Head coach David Gray handed a start to the left-back in Hibs' 5-0 win over Edinburgh City on Saturday, returns to the League One side with whom he spent the first half of the 2023/24 campaign. MacIntyre headed on to Annan Athletic for the final months of last term to work under manager Peter Murphy, but with Murphy now in charge at Palmerston Park, he's moved to bring the youngster into his team once more.

MacIntyre made a senior Hibs debut against St Johnstone in the final Scottish Premiership game of the 2021/22 season, and has since accrued two further appearances. Still only 19, though, the club feel his development is best served by being exposed to more first-team football.

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“This is a good move for Oscar, playing in a competitive league that he knows well," said sporting director Malky Mackay. “The fact that he has worked with their manager (Peter Murphy) before is a positive and shows that he holds Oscar in high regard. This will give Oscar a good platform to build from and we are hoping he can kick on again this season.”

MacIntyre made 28 appearances across his two loan spells last season, his first experience of senior football. He joined Hibs from Spartans back in 2019, and signed a long-term deal alongside his younger brother Jacob in 2022. The left-back remains under contract at Easter Road until 2026.

He joins Murray Aiken, Murray Johnson, and Kyle McClelland in leaving Easter Road on loan this summer.