Hibernian has always felt like a home for maverick players - often attackers, often flawed in some way, and often with the ability to delight and infuriate in equal measure. It ties in with that deep-rooted desire among followers of the club for fast, free-flowing, attractive football built on a rock-solid spine. George Best, Peter Marinello, Jason Cummings, Anthony Stokes - you could compile a lengthy list of players who tick the box for each category; each wonderfully talented in their own way but not without their demons or shortcomings.
But Élie Youan is the standout example in recent seasons; an enigmatic player who perhaps embodies the ‘mercurial’ nature of wingers. The former France youth internationalist arrived at Easter Road in the summer of 2022; initially on loan from Swiss side St. Gallen before signing a permanent deal. A total of 16 goal contributions - nine goals and seven assists - in his debut campaign boded well for a club that had experienced decidedly more misses than hits on the recruitment front in previous transfer windows.
In some games, he was unplayable. In others, he could be virtually anonymous. But you would never bet against him suddenly dropping a shoulder, darting inside, slaloming towards the edge of the penalty area, and turning the afterburners on to leave defenders trailing in his wake as he bore down on goal.
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Former head coach Lee Johnson suggested in May 2023 that 'if [Youan] could put it all together, we wouldn't have him' while his successor Nick Montgomery echoed those sentiments after an Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle five months later in which Youan had scored twice in 80 seconds to earn Hibs a draw from 2-0 down.
"If he could do it for 90 minutes, he'd be playing Champions League football," the former Central Coast Mariners boss added, with a wry smile.
It wasn't so long ago that Youan was one of the first names on the teamsheet; him and Martin Boyle providing a fearsome threat on the flanks and causing a few sleepless nights for full-backs ahead of facing the wide duo. So how did we go from game-changing performances, Champions League references, and that iconic 'sleep' celebration to arguing with fans, being in and out of the starting XI, and seemingly existing on the periphery of Hibernian?
Transfer interest and social media snipes
Contributing to 26 goals in two seasons for Hibs will always attract attention, no matter the player, particularly considering that one of those seasons petered out into an eighth-place finish and another managerial change. His exchange with a fan on social media in April after he was a surprise omission from a matchday squad made headlines.
“Hopefully looking for a move, the guy frustrates me,” the fan wrote in response to his absence. “If he would stop all the show pony stuff and shoot more and track back and help defend, he’d be fine.”
“Shut your mouth I’m injured,” Youan fired back. It wouldn’t be the last time he clashed with supporters on social media.
There was transfer interest from Italy and his native France in the summer but Easter Road chiefs remained firm that the player would only be allowed to leave if the buying team met the club’s valuation. In the end, the 25-year-old didn't leave; possibly as a result of an injury picked up against Queen's Park in the Premier Sports Cup group stages that ruled him out until mid-September, or perhaps because the club didn't receive an offer they liked. Maybe it was a combination of both.
But there were no signs of him downing tools, as some players might do when denied a transfer. On August 19, the day after Hibs had been knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by Celtic, he posted a short video on social media, showing him working in the gym at HTC, accompanied by a selection of emojis suggesting he was aiming to be back on the pitch as quickly as possible.
Later that same day he posted a screenshot from his Instagram page. Someone had sent him two messages in quick succession, in response to the video.
"I loved you when you came to Hibs but now you're a hopeless lazy c***," the first one read. "You don't deserve to play for this club cause you are a big part to blame in the downfall of this team you s*** f***** [sic]," said the second.
"Even when I'm not playing I get insulted," Youan wrote, adding two laughing emojis as if to show what he thought of the comments.
Ten days later, he posted a screenshot from his social media again. More abuse - only this time it was racist.
"Not surprised real faces are coming out. At least it's clear right now," he wrote in response.
There were no emojis this time.
Situation not helped by increasingly poisonous atmosphere at Hibs
Hibs issued a statement condemning the abuse while club chiefs and Police Scotland acted quickly, and an individual was charged in relation to the abuse. But it was alarming, saddening, and disgusting to see the rapid shift from grumbles and gripes to full-on racist abuse.
Youan returned to action a fortnight later, somewhat surprisingly in the starting line-up against St Johnstone. He was brought off at half-time but made a 22-minute appearance off the bench against Rangers the following weekend. Despite unsurprisingly looking a little rusty, it looked for all the world like he was increasing his minutes through a managed return to the pitch as well as participating in bounce games to top up his fitness and match sharpness.
Youan held onto his starting place for a midweek trip to Dingwall, playing 84 minutes and doing his best to make something happen as he rotated with Junior Hoilett and Martin Boyle in the three advanced midfield roles behind the striker. He appeared to speak with a supporter at full-time but it was unclear what was said and by whom and regardless, it didn’t appear overly heated. But a goalless draw didn’t help the overall mood around the club.
He made the briefest of cameos in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United, coming on for just a minute at the end, and days later posted a three-picture collage on social media of him with Lee Johnson, which attracted a variety of comments from supporters and pundits, particularly given Hibs' run of form and his lack of goals and assists.
Despite that, he started and played 90 minutes against St Mirren; hitting the post in the first half and having a shot blocked in the second. It was hardly vintage Youan but there were signs of the player who had lit up Easter Road in 2022 and 2023. But at the full-time whistle, as the players trudged around the three stands applauding what was left of the disgruntled Hibs fans, there was a frank exchange of views with spectators in the East Stand before a confrontation with a supporter in the Famous Five Stand, resulting in Rocky Bushiri, Jordan Obita, and two stewards having to haul Youan away and steer him towards the dressing room.
Since then? There have been no pointed posts on social media; instead, he has been posting footage of family events, pictures of him doing extra work on his fitness during the international break, and clips from training showcasing his talent and ability. Perhaps club chiefs have had words, or maybe the player wants to shut a few more mouths.
Hibs need the Youan of old - and Youan needs to rediscover that form too
Hibs travel to Dundee on Saturday, in desperate need of three points. With Mykola Kukharevych back from suspension, Dwight Gayle having had longer to recover from a hamstring niggle, and the likely availability of Martin Boyle and Junior Hoilett assuming they return unscathed from international duty, David Gray has options in the final third. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Youan get gametime at Dens Park but equally, should he not feature, it would hardly be the biggest bombshell either.
"He can frustrate the life out of us at times. He drives you up the wall but he’s also got that real threat about him and can peg a team back and he can run all day. He’s got quite unique attributes so we just need to keep developing him," Johnson said at one point, succinctly summing up the player.
While the blame for the breakdown in the relationship between player and fans can hardly be shared equally, the player is not blameless in this ongoing episode. Cryptic social media posts that are open to misinterpretation don't help, and neither does confronting supporters after matches.
On the flip side, he has been targeted more than other players; essentially made a scapegoat for the team's collective failings, despite not playing regularly. Not that it excuses it in any way, but part of that will stem from the support's growing dissatisfaction with results on the pitch and events off it, but considering he has been subjected to shocking racial abuse on top of that, it is little wonder that his relationship with the fans is at best strained, and at worst, approaching breaking point and while many players might be able to block out the abuse, it’s hard to criticise Youan for feeling compelled to respond.
The January transfer window opens in around six weeks, and it remains to be seen if there will be renewed interest in the player. On recent form, he might not get the suitors he wants, but if he manages to recapture the magic of his first two seasons and helps turn things around for Gray's side and take them up the league between now and Hogmanay then maybe, just maybe, he will attract greater attention. But the club is unlikely to accept a cut-price offer just to move him on; as with the summer window, any offers for Youan will have to meet the club's valuation.
Is the situation irreparable?
On his day, Youan can be unplayable; one of the most exciting, unpredictable, and effective attackers in the Scottish Premiership. But given the predicament in which Hibs are currently residing, they need their key players to be turning up each week and putting in performances.
He undoubtedly has the talent and the ability to help drag the club out of this mess. For a player who thrives on the big stage, some important matches are coming up for Hibs between now and the new year, and he absolutely has the ability to have a big say in their outcome.
As for the player, it would be a heck of a redemption arc if he contributed to a turnaround in Hibs' fortunes. It wouldn't fix everything overnight but it would go a long way to mending a fractious relationship between player and club, and player and fans, and could have a big say in his future.
But it's a big 'if'.
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