Rangers beat by Hibs to promising player as Gartcairn hail Easter Road side's double capture

Rangers and Hearts were amongst clubs looking at Gartcairn’s youngsters – but coach Paul Gallacher is thrilled two of his youth stars have picked Premiership giants Hibs.

The Airdrie-based football academy has wished former 2012 squad players Ayden Gallacher – Paul’s son – and Conlan Smith well after signing professional youth contracts at Easter Road.

Ayden has been training with Hibs from October 2019 and Conlan from February 2020, amid the impacts on youth football due to Covid.

The two Gartcairn graduates have since featured in matches for Hibs, who had to fend off interest from clubs including Motherwell to secure Gallacher.

Both will form part of Hibs’ U11s group for 2022. Gallacher senior, who is head coach at the Gartcairn academy, says both kids deserve their chance at the top level.

He said: “The two boys have thrived and they have enjoyed the environment. They got focused and they wanted to do their best to develop and learn.

“Over lockdown, Hibs mothballed their academy through Covid but Ayden went out every day, doing his own sessions and doing research on YouTube.

“Conlan did the same to keep up his development and fitness. Their work ethos, even from the age of five, has been fantastic. You can see they are hungry to learn and develop.

“If they aren’t playing football, they are watching it. Football is the main thing in their lives. Ayden was scouted by Hibs and had Motherwell, Hearts and Rangers showing an interest.

“They have been up at Hibs’ training centre and they have now been offered pro youth contracts. It has been fantastic for them with a great support network.”

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