Hibs academy duo get Scotland call for friendly tournament

Conor Aitken and Arran McSporran, both 15, will travel with the national team to San Pedro del Pinatar later this month where the young Scots will take on Faroe Islands and either Indonesia or Switzerland on Wednesday, September 18 and Saturday, September 21 respectively. 

Centre-forward Aitken has featured for the under-18s this season, mostly off the bench, but did score Hibs' goal in a 2-1 defeat by Preston Athletic in July during Craig Innes' testimonial game at the Pennypit. He was also capped by Scotland at under-15 level. 

Conor Aitken in action for Hibs against Preston Athletic (Image: Maurice Dougan)

With Josh Landers suffering a broken arm during Hibs Under-18s' recent 2-2 draw with Rangers, Aitken and fellow forward Kasper Kitchin could get more game time to bolster Darren McGregor's attacking options, with both having featured sporadically so far this season. 

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Both players are similar to Landers in terms of physical attributes and would complement, and provide something different, to Dean Cleland in attack. McGregor has a number of options if he continues playing a 4231 formation, with Cleland able to tuck in behind the striker and fulfil a playmaker role or operate out wide. 

Either way, Aitken and Kitchin could well get more minutes in Landers' absence.  

Arran McSporran in action for Hibs against Rangers in a CAS Elite Under-18 League match (Image: Maurice Dougan)

McSporran made his debut for Hibs under-18s last season when he was still aged 14. A versatile defender, he can play at centre-back or right-back.

He scored in a 2-0 victory over Millwall Under-18s in pre-season and has been a virtual ever-present in Hibs' CAS Elite Under-18 league fixtures so far this season, mostly playing in a back four. 

Like Aitken, he picked up a number of caps for Scotland Under-15s, and captained the side during a friendly against Hong Kong in April. 

Aitken and McSporran will be the eleventh and twelfth Hibs players to earn international recognition this season after Kieron Bowie, Martin Boyle, Rocky Bushiri, Murray Johnson, Nohan Kenneh, Lewis Miller, Rudi Molotnikov, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Dylan Vente, and Rory Whittaker all received call-ups.