Hibs 'can take a lot of confidence' from Porto draw as David Gray explains benefits of Portugal training camp

Thrilled Hibs boss David Gray insists his side are displaying real signs of progression leading up to their European return later this month after holding Portuguese giants FC Porto to a 1-1 draw in their penultimate pre-season friendly. The Easter Road club travelled out to Portugal for a short warm-weather training camp this weekend, which included a behind-closed-doors game with the reigning Primeira League champions at the Jorge Costa Training and Sports Development Centre With the 2026/27 season due to get underway in less than a fortnight, Gray was delighted with the performance his players delivered on Saturday evening as Felix Passlack’s late equaliser secured a share of the spoils against Francesco Farioli’s European heavyweights. “I'm really pleased, and it was a really good exercise for what we set out to do,” Gray told the club’s media team. “We put a real focus on working without the ball and our defensive shape. Clearly, the level of opposition we're playing against - we knew we'd have to do that - but it was a really good test for the players against a very good side. “It was a positive result in the end, but there are a lot of things within it where we can improve. I think we're going to be a lot better on the ball, but overall, the players can take a lot of confidence and belief from what they put into the game and how the game went. “It's been a short but beneficial camp, and part of the reason we set the trip up was a test for the European campaign in terms of travelling the day before, training when we come over here, then playing the game and flying straight home because some of our players have not played in Europe before. “I know a lot of the players did it last season, but it was just to make sure we give every player the best opportunity to make sure they're aware of what they're going to be going into. Clearly you're not going to play against this level of opposition all the time, but if you can go and do that, there are a lot of positives to take from that. “So, all in all, it was a real beneficial test for everybody involved and a real worthwhile one. I'm really grateful to FC Porto for taking the game on and putting a real strong side out as well. It was a real good test for the players, and we'll take a lot of confidence from that and a lot of things to work on moving forward as well.” The clash against Porto allowed Gray to field three summer signings - Jason Kerr, Azeem Abdulai and Callum Wright, while the returning Josh Mulligan got a full 90 minutes under his belt. “I think the big thing is always about minutes in the legs and players getting fitter and stronger,” a satisfied Gray added. “Clearly today we looked at a different side to the game in terms of that defensive shape and then changed again in the second-half. “There were a lot of good things going in on the training pitch that you're starting to see. Within that, we're not always getting it right, of course, but these are the games when you want to do that, and the most important thing is getting the players fitter and stronger, and we're certainly doing that. “The players know I'm really happy with where pre-season is at this moment in time. I know we've got the home fixture next weekend against Brøndby to look forward to now, where the players are all in really good condition for that one. “Callum missed the first couple of games when he joined, but we got a good 45 minutes out of him today. Azeem went and played 45 minutes during the week for us, and then we pushed him to 60 minutes today. He missed the first week of pre-season, so it's important that every player gets up to speed. “Added to that, Josh Mulligan got 90 minutes, which he'll massively benefit from, especially when you think back to how his season ended last year. The squad is starting to take shape in terms of getting the minutes into the players. “Everyone came through the game today, which is clearly vital at this stage. We're definitely that one step closer to being ready for the European game.” Hibs will complete their pre-season schedule with a friendly against Danish Superliga outfit Brondby IF at Easter Road next Saturday. Your next read: Seven Hibs players with points to prove this pre-season as record breaker bids to salvage Easter Road career