Hibs and St Johnstone get blessing for Friday night football trial as Premiership clash brought forward

Friday night football will return to the Scottish Premiership next month after Hibs were given the go-ahead for a trial run in Leith. The Hibees’ top flight fixture against St Johnstone, scheduled for Saturday, October 22, has now been brought forward to 7.30pm on the previous evening with the blessing of the authorities.

SPFL chiefs are fully on board with the test which Hibs hope will attract a bumper crowd to Easter Road. Prices have also been slashed to £10 and £5 for concessions in a bid to fill the ground.

Friday night matches have been a regular feature in the Scottish Championship for the past two years as part of the BBC’s deal with the second tier. But they’ve been few and far between in the top flight.

A Hibs spokesman said: “The SPFL are happy for us to trial Friday night football and having spoken to St Johnstone they too are on board for the game in October. The idea is to see if we can bring back Friday night football as a regular feature in the Scottish Premiership and to see if it will be a success.

“We have reduced ticket prices in the hope of creating a special atmosphere under the lights at Easter Road and hopefully we will see as many supporters there as possible.”

Lee Johnson’s Hibs currently sit eighth in the table - two points ahead of ninth-placed St Johnstone - with Aberdeen heading to Leith on Saturday. St Johnstone host Ross County in Perth.

Meanwhile Hibs U19s flew out to Norway earlier today ahead of their UEFA Youth League clash with Molde. The young Hibees take on the Norwegians in the Aker Stadion on Wednesday with a 6pm kick off.