Dean Gibson goes full-time as Hibs Women head coach as he signs new deal and teases big announcement

The news comes hot on the heels of a raft of new player deals for Eilidh Adams, Leah Eddie, Micky McAlonie, Shannon McGregor, Joelle Murray, and Ellis Notley, as well as the signing of Crystal Thomas, while a pre-contract agreement was struck with Trinidad & Tobago internationalist Liana Hinds earlier this year.

Gibson took the reins in early 2020 but oversaw just one game before the Covid-19 pandemic paused football.

Hibs Women have endured a frustrating season this year with injuries to key players but Gibson believes the future is bright.

“I think the whole model of the club makes it feel that little bit more special and exciting. I’m looking forward to the next two years and getting started again next season,” he said of his renewed contract.

“It’s shown in the last two years what I have done, the work that I’ve put into the club shows how much it means to me. At times I’ve maybe let it take over my life, but I think you have to in this sort of role.

"Being a fan of the club makes it that little bit more special. It’s a proud moment for me, I said that two years ago when I first signed and it’s also special for my family.

"To now become a full-time manager makes it that bit more special.”

Going full-time is a big step as Hibs try to keep pace with Celtic, Glasgow Women, and Rangers – who all finished above the Capital club in the SWPL1 this year. Since his appointment two years ago Gibson has been working hard to keep the team up there. The next step is challenging the ‘big three’.

“I think we’ve done a really good job keeping ourselves close to the teams above us. When I first came in two years ago, we were in real danger of sliding down, the amount of work that we have put in to retain the players that we have