Tambo
03-12-2022, 09:20 PM
In the lead-up to Christmas, we are shining a light on Hibs players (past and present) to wear the numbers 1-25! Up next, number two's; John Brownlie, Ulises de la Cruz and Sir David Gray!
John Brownlie (1969-78)
John Brownlie (pictured below left), part of the infamous Turnbull’s Tornadoes side and is often described as one of the best right-backs to ever play for Hibs.
The defender made his debut as a teenager and went on to make a total of 303 appearances for Hibs, scoring 23 goals across nine seasons.
He famously scored the only goal of our League Cup Semi-Final win over Ranger in 1972 – booking our place in the final against Celtic, which led to our first major cup triumph in over 70 years.
Ulises de la Cruz (2001-02)
Ulises de la Cruz made 39 appearances for the Hibees during his time with the Club. He wrote his name in Hibs history, scoring twice in the Edinburgh Derby in a 2-1 win over Hearts at Easter Road.
Whilst at Hibs, Ulises de la Cruz was selected for the Ecuador World Cup squad for the 2002 finals in South Korea/Japan.
The attacking full-back featured in every game at the 2002 World Cup. Ecuador beat Croatia but lost to Mexico and Italy eventually finishing bottom of their group.
His performances at the World Cup caught the eye of many, including Aston Villa Manager, Graham Taylor who signed him for the English Premier League side that summer.
David Gray (2014-21)
Sir David Gray – a modern-day Hibs legend.
SDG joined the Hibees at the beginning of the 2014/15 league season signing permanently from Burton Albion and was appointed captain the following summer.
Gray made 177 appearances across seven seasons with the club before hanging up his playing boots to become part of the First Team coaching staff at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
A man for the big moments, Gray scored 15 goals – one of which came in a 3-0 win against Queen of the South which sealed our promotion back to the Scottish top flight in April 2017.
But Gray will forever be remembered for that goal he scored on 21 May, 2016.
The Hibs no.2 wrote his name into Hibernian history with his stoppage-time header against Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final, and so became the first Hibs captain to lift the Scottish Cup in 114 years.
John Brownlie (1969-78)
John Brownlie (pictured below left), part of the infamous Turnbull’s Tornadoes side and is often described as one of the best right-backs to ever play for Hibs.
The defender made his debut as a teenager and went on to make a total of 303 appearances for Hibs, scoring 23 goals across nine seasons.
He famously scored the only goal of our League Cup Semi-Final win over Ranger in 1972 – booking our place in the final against Celtic, which led to our first major cup triumph in over 70 years.
Ulises de la Cruz (2001-02)
Ulises de la Cruz made 39 appearances for the Hibees during his time with the Club. He wrote his name in Hibs history, scoring twice in the Edinburgh Derby in a 2-1 win over Hearts at Easter Road.
Whilst at Hibs, Ulises de la Cruz was selected for the Ecuador World Cup squad for the 2002 finals in South Korea/Japan.
The attacking full-back featured in every game at the 2002 World Cup. Ecuador beat Croatia but lost to Mexico and Italy eventually finishing bottom of their group.
His performances at the World Cup caught the eye of many, including Aston Villa Manager, Graham Taylor who signed him for the English Premier League side that summer.
David Gray (2014-21)
Sir David Gray – a modern-day Hibs legend.
SDG joined the Hibees at the beginning of the 2014/15 league season signing permanently from Burton Albion and was appointed captain the following summer.
Gray made 177 appearances across seven seasons with the club before hanging up his playing boots to become part of the First Team coaching staff at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
A man for the big moments, Gray scored 15 goals – one of which came in a 3-0 win against Queen of the South which sealed our promotion back to the Scottish top flight in April 2017.
But Gray will forever be remembered for that goal he scored on 21 May, 2016.
The Hibs no.2 wrote his name into Hibernian history with his stoppage-time header against Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final, and so became the first Hibs captain to lift the Scottish Cup in 114 years.