Ethan Laidlaw.

[Winston Ingram]

I see that he only has 6 months left on his deal.

Brentford have a further years option but haven’t activated it yet.

Anyone know how he’s been getting on down there?

[Stairway 2 7]

I see that he only has 6 months left on his deal.

Brentford have a further years option but haven’t activated it yet.

Anyone know how he’s been getting on down there?

Usually comes off the bench for the youth team, scored a couple

Wonder what he'll do next, maybe try lower league like Callum Young who is doing well

[Ribs1875]

I would hope we could be able to entice him back up to us. The games I watched him in the development squad he was always the stand out performer and looked versatile.

I wish they would bring back the reserve games back. The jump between development to first team is too big. I loved the reserve games at easter road back in the day.

[Centre Hawf]

I would hope we could be able to entice him back up to us. The games I watched him in the development squad he was always the stand out performer and looked versatile.

I wish they would bring back the reserve games back. The jump between development to first team is too big. I loved the reserve games at easter road back in the day.

I did wonder if it would be something we could consider doing. The issue is at 20 years old now he'd pretty much need to come in as a senior player from the start or go out on loan to a decent level to actually play senior football from the start to gauge how far off he is.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Wouldn’t bother taking him back.

[Donegal Hibby]

Wouldn’t bother taking him back.

Not often I agree with you but I do here 👍

[Winston Ingram]

I’d take him in a heartbeat. He looked excellent and was a standout v Dortmund. So much natural ability

[Paulie Walnuts]

I’d take him in a heartbeat. He looked excellent and was a standout v Dortmund. So much natural ability

Id seen him a few times and he wasn’t that close to being first team ready for me. The fact he’s now 20 and is a sub for Brentford’s B team doesn’t make me think he’ll have really got significantly better.

[PHeffernan]

Worth picking up if he is released in the summer. Finish the job we started with Ethan.
A half season loan to the Scottish Championship and returning to Hibs on his 21st birthday if he is doing well.
However, I reckon Brentford will take up their years option on him and send him out on loan to the English 4th tier or to a small club in the 3rd tier.

[CapitalGreen]

Worth picking up if he is released in the summer. Finish the job we started with Ethan.
A half season loan to the Scottish Championship and returning to Hibs on his 21st birthday if he is doing well.
However, I reckon Brentford will take up their years option on him and send him out on loan to the English 4th tier or to a small club in the 3rd tier.

Is he good enough for the Scottish Championship if he can’t get a start against semi-professional teams and youth teams for Brentford B?

[Danderhall Hibs]

Did he make much money from this move? Was it bad advice from an agent (or worse a pushy parent)?

[Dashing Bob S]

I wonder how ANY young player in the UK makes it these days? They get so little opportunity compared to yesteryear.

Go back to a 16 team league and give clubs like us, Hearts, A’deen a chance to have a transitional year or two in the doldrums but free from relegation worries to bring on such players

[cameronw-hfc]

Did he make much money from this move? Was it bad advice from an agent (or worse a pushy parent)?

Think it was a decent opportunity for him but he picked up an injury not long after going down there and missed a big chunk of football.

I don't hold it against him, he's a young lad offered the chance of going to the Premier league in England. Didn't work out, I'd take him back here if he wanted on a 2 year deal and see if we can get something out of him, been short up front a few times this season so imagine he'd get a shot given he looked a good bit too good for youth football up here imo.

[jeffers]

Think it was a decent opportunity for him but he picked up an injury not long after going down there and missed a big chunk of football.

I don't hold it against him, he's a young lad offered the chance of going to the Premier league in England. Didn't work out, I'd take him back here if he wanted on a 2 year deal and see if we can get something out of him, been short up front a few times this season so imagine he'd get a shot given he looked a good bit too good for youth football up here imo.

Wasn’t the main reason he left because he couldn’t stand Lee Johnson ? Sounds like Ethan was a good judge of character.

[BILLYHIBS]

I’d take him in a heartbeat. He looked excellent and was a standout v Dortmund. So much natural ability

Agree looked our best player by a country mile drove us on liked how he got a second wind reminded me of a young King Paddy ( high praise indeed ) but I only saw him play the once in that Dortmund game

Will be interesting to see how things work out for the boy

[Gaffer1875]

Bring him back on a 2 year deal, exciting talent.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PHeffernan]

I wonder how ANY young player in the UK makes it these days? They get so little opportunity compared to yesteryear.

Go back to a 16 team league and give clubs like us, Hearts, A’deen a chance to have a transitional year or two in the doldrums but free from relegation worries to bring on such players

The biggest change and problem for Scottish teams is wealthy English clubs warehousing all the best young players. They sell the kids and their parents the dream and chuck their clubs a few quid then sling them into their academies with all the other laddies with potential that they have collected from around the world.
They eventually keep the very best, rent out and sell the very good and chuck the rest back in the sea without a life jacket.

Landers could be the first 18 year old taken from Hibs since Ethan Laidlaw and Kane O'Connor. Thank goodness he has 17 months left on his contract. It might put them off or we will be in a good position to negotiate.

Every week, if you pay attention, you will see English clubs taking another talented teenage Scottish player for their business operation. Before taking them they even have the cheek to take them down for a weeks training to make sure they are good enough to have a shot at making them money.
A quick check of yesterdays news reveals Queens Park Rangers are considering a move for 17-year-old Aberdeen centre-half Timothy Akindileni. Look and you will see these stories most days and at least once a week during the transfer windows you will see a transfer. Scotland is losing it's best talent before we have even seen them.

I started to take notice when Liverpool swanned in and took Ben Doak from Celtic. By the time he was aged 16 everyone, who knew about Scottish football, knew Doak was an almost certainty for big things. Liverpool tossed Celtic 600k and left with him under their arm. Less than 3 years later they are now looking for 30 million pounds for him. Easy money and the reason any teenager who shows talent and real potential is hoovered up by the English investment hubs for their player farms.

[cameronw-hfc]

Wasn’t the main reason he left because he couldn’t stand Lee Johnson ? Sounds like Ethan was a good judge of character.

I had no idea about that, i just knew there was issues with him not signing a new deal then went down south. Just looked like a decent opportunity to me but if as you said there were issues with LJ there could be more to it

[PHeffernan]

Is he good enough for the Scottish Championship if he can’t get a start against semi-professional teams and youth teams for Brentford B?

I've not seen him play for almost 2 years so I couldn't say.
Brentford took him because they thought he was the best player we had in that young Hibs team full of talent.

In those 2 years I presume he has developed physically and mentally but without seeing him play it's impossible to say if he has developed sufficiently as a player. Brentfords contract decision this summer will be the first real indicator.

I don't think Laidlaw has lost much ground, if any, on his peers at Hibs during his 2 years at Brentford.
Many of them have been moved on from Hibs after their contracts expired. A large proportion of those remaining are playing on loan in the bottom 2 tiers of Scottish football. Murray J can't get a game for the worst team in the Scottish Championship and Murray Aiken has struggled with injuries after a good start to his Championship loan last season.
That leaves Kanayo Megwa as his only peer that has cut it at a decent level so far ... and Laidlaw is 10 months younger than Kanayo so could still hit the same level close to the same age.

[PHeffernan]

I had no idea about that, i just knew there was issues with him not signing a new deal then went down south. Just looked like a decent opportunity to me but if as you said there were issues with LJ there could be more too it

Think it would have been about a more lucrative contract and the EPL dream.
The consensus seemed to be that Ethan was the best of a very good young team and him and his parents have given it a go. I don't see the issue. He thought he had a chance and he's giving it a go.
When he arrived at Brentford he no doubt found all his team mates where as good as, if not better than him.
Therein lies the beginning of a rude awakening for young players, with most eventually finding out they are one of many healthy fish.

Best in their street, best in primary school, then best in high school, best all the way up through the age groups at a professional club but eventually in mens football you meet all the best players from the last 16 years and you might find you are a very average professional if you are lucky.
If Ethan does well moving forward he might eventually be the new Jordan White.

[King conrad]

Worth picking up if he is released in the summer. Finish the job we started with Ethan.
A half season loan to the Scottish Championship and returning to Hibs on his 21st birthday if he is doing well.
However, I reckon Brentford will take up their years option on him and send him out on loan to the English 4th tier or to a small club in the 3rd tier.

How poor do you think these players are in the Scottish championship? It's a fine line between that and spl.
The Scottish championship is a far higher level than Brentford B, Big jump from an under 23 level to 2nd tier in Scotland.

[FifeHibs]

I had no idea about that, i just knew there was issues with him not signing a new deal then went down south. Just looked like a decent opportunity to me but if as you said there were issues with LJ there could be more too it

He was in the match day squad a few times, LJ comment on one occasion was why you bothering warming up you won’t be going on.
LJ the 🤡

[Unseen work]

I’d have no issue with him coming back if SDG is a fan

Did he not get an injury and that’s what limited some appearances? Seems to be playing more now

[Coco Bryce]

Wasn’t the main reason he left because he couldn’t stand Lee Johnson ? Sounds like Ethan was a good judge of character.

Yes.

[PHeffernan]

How poor do you think these players are in the Scottish championship? It's a fine line between that and spl.
The Scottish championship is a far higher level than Brentford B, Big jump from an under 23 level to 2nd tier in Scotland.

Daniel Oyegoke signed for Hearts from Brentford B.
He is arguably their best player at the moment along with Penrice.

As for the standard of player at Scottish Championship level. It's generally where you go if your decent but not good enough for Hibs. So you will currently find Sam Stanton, Oli Shaw, Scott Martin, Dylan Tait, Dan MacKay etc there. It's a good standard but 2 levels below Hibs.

[Smartie]

Were there not vague references to a farting incident that led to him having problems with Johnson?

I don’t think the specifics of that incident were ever revealed.

[Postiga]

Were there not vague references to a farting incident that led to him having problems with Johnson?

I don’t think the specifics of that incident were ever revealed.

You need to at least tell us this story even if it isn’t true 😂

[Real Emerald]

No problem with him having ambition and taking a chance but I’m a great believer in establishing yourself first. It’s like getting an apprenticeship you can always fall back on. Learn to walk first.

[Donegal Hibby]

Did he not question why other players were getting picked ahead of him and their ability? Might be wrong on that though thought there was a few issues with him before he left .

[eastmainsmsh]

Livi would be a good fit for EL

[Iain G]

Wonder if we could get Kurtis Byrne back as well, sure he still has potential

[Viva_Palmeiras]

You need to at least tell us this story even if it isn’t true 😂

Maybe Laidlaw was unmasked as the phantom raspberry blower?


https://youtu.be/XBHfHAiRxNU?feature=shared

[Ribs1875]

I did wonder if it would be something we could consider doing. The issue is at 20 years old now he'd pretty much need to come in as a senior player from the start or go out on loan to a decent level to actually play senior football from the start to gauge how far off he is.

I've kept tabs on him. It's an example of top performing young players being scouted and moving too early. He was in the same squad as Rudi Molotnikov, who is now getting his chance. Had Laidlaw stayed that might have also been the case, rather than getting lost down south in the b league.

[Smartie]

You need to at least tell us this story even if it isn’t true 😂

Believe me, I tried to find out the story because it had the potential to be hilarious.

The person who mentioned the rumour didn’t elaborate but, er, walked away and just sort of let it linger there.

I’d hoped that over time the story would come out but it has not.

Maybe now’s the time?

[ian cruise]

Would be interested in taking him back on a couple of years as back up/see how he has developed but I wouldn't be pushing the boat out.

[Baader]

Wonder if we could get Kurtis Byrne back as well, sure he still has potential

Celtic keen to sign him according to his Dad...

[oneone73]

Celtic keen to sign him according to his Dad...

Isn't that Josh O'Connor?

[JimBHibees]

How poor do you think these players are in the Scottish championship? It's a fine line between that and spl.
The Scottish championship is a far higher level than Brentford B, Big jump from an under 23 level to 2nd tier in Scotland.

No way will the Scottish championship be far higher than Brentford b

[Since90+2]

No way will the Scottish championship be far higher than Brentford b

Agreed.

Difficult to say exactly as we've no real way to judge, but I'd be surprised if Brentford B weren't very competitive at that level, and better than most teams.

[Paulie Walnuts]

No way will the Scottish championship be far higher than Brentford b

It absolutely will be.

If you look at the Brentford B team from 5 years ago, the players largely now play for teams like Horndean, Altrincham, Gloucester, Chesterfield, Hayes & Yeading, Fylde, Bury, Colchester, Rylands and Bo’ness Athletic. And that’s the e ones that have managed to get a club, plenty of them dont play for anyone anymore. Kane O’Connor regularly captained the Brentford B team 5 years ago and he’s at Berwick Rangers in the Lowland League.

There’s a couple who have went on to do well, but keeping in mind those players from 5 years ago will be coming into their peak years now and that’s the level they’re at then there’s absolutely zero doubt in my mind that the Scottish Championship is a higher level than a team of 19 year olds at Brentford B. Brentford B are essentially a team of youngsters who will go on to improve to the point the majority of them play non league or give up football altogether with one or two who will go on to have an alright career.

They would get battered in the Scottish Championship. They got knocked out a cup by semi pro Northwood FC who play regional football in the 8th tier of English football.

[Iain G]

Would be interested in taking him back on a couple of years as back up/see how he has developed but I wouldn't be pushing the boat out.

He will just be another ex Hibs youth player that drops into obscurity.

[JimBHibees]

Agreed.

Difficult to say exactly as we've no real way to judge, but I'd be surprised if Brentford B weren't very competitive at that level, and better than most teams.

Think it would be higher level

[Fanforlife]

You need to at least tell us this story even if it isn’t true 😂its true as in Ethan made a phantom raspberry blower type noise( 2 Ronnies style 🤣) Johnston was not amused. Know this as grandson was in corridor at time, Johnston demanded to know who culprit was but nobody said anything so Ethan got the blame in his mind.

[superfurryhibby]

It absolutely will be.

If you look at the Brentford B team from 5 years ago, the players largely now play for teams like Horndean, Altrincham, Gloucester, Chesterfield, Hayes & Yeading, Fylde, Bury, Colchester, Rylands and Bo’ness Athletic. And that’s the e ones that have managed to get a club, plenty of them dont play for anyone anymore. Kane O’Connor regularly captained the Brentford B team 5 years ago and he’s at Berwick Rangers in the Lowland League.

There’s a couple who have went on to do well, but keeping in mind those players from 5 years ago will be coming into their peak years now and that’s the level they’re at then there’s absolutely zero doubt in my mind that the Scottish Championship is a higher level than a team of 19 year olds at Brentford B. Brentford B are essentially a team of youngsters who will go on to improve to the point the majority of them play non league or give up football altogether with one or two who will go on to have an alright career.

They would get battered in the Scottish Championship. They got knocked out a cup by semi pro Northwood FC who play regional football in the 8th tier of English football.


I think this offers a pretty clear indicator as to the standard of Brentford B. If anyone can provide better insight than this, I'd be surprised.


Think it would be higher level

On what basis?

Football careers often seem to hang on pivotal moments, like rejecting one club in favour of another. Laidlaw moving south was always going to be a challenge and I get the opportunity that presented, but it also came with being hundreds of miles from home and at a club where there was next to no chance of knocking on the first team door. A case study in wrong choices I think, but hopefully he gets his career back on track and finds a level where he can play meaningful football.

[JimBHibees]

I think this offers a pretty clear indicator as to the standard of Brentford B. If anyone can provide better insight than this, I'd be surprised.



On what basis?

Football careers often seem to hang on pivotal moments, like rejecting one club in favour of another. Laidlaw moving south was always going to be a challenge and I get the opportunity that presented, but it also came with being hundreds of miles from home and at a club where there was next to no chance of knocking on the first team door. A case study in wrong choices I think, but hopefully he gets his career back on track and finds a level where he can play meaningful football.

Apologies just lazily assumed their b team would comprise very good youngsters and guys not getting prem games

[eastmainsmsh]

A great young prospect hope Ethan can get going again

[Centre Hawf]

It absolutely will be.

If you look at the Brentford B team from 5 years ago, the players largely now play for teams like Horndean, Altrincham, Gloucester, Chesterfield, Hayes & Yeading, Fylde, Bury, Colchester, Rylands and Bo’ness Athletic. And that’s the e ones that have managed to get a club, plenty of them dont play for anyone anymore. Kane O’Connor regularly captained the Brentford B team 5 years ago and he’s at Berwick Rangers in the Lowland League.

There’s a couple who have went on to do well, but keeping in mind those players from 5 years ago will be coming into their peak years now and that’s the level they’re at then there’s absolutely zero doubt in my mind that the Scottish Championship is a higher level than a team of 19 year olds at Brentford B. Brentford B are essentially a team of youngsters who will go on to improve to the point the majority of them play non league or give up football altogether with one or two who will go on to have an alright career.

They would get battered in the Scottish Championship. They got knocked out a cup by semi pro Northwood FC who play regional football in the 8th tier of English football.

Agree entirely. I watched Laidlaws age group batter Newcastle and a few other EPL teams at HTC, and yet it’s a possibility that no one from that team even makes a dent in a Hibs senior squad. There is no guarantee that anyone playing for these elite academies are any good at senior level. Some can look good but peak at youth level depending on various factors.

A Raith Rovers would wipe the floor with a Brentford B in my opinion and they would be relegated from that division in record fashion. I’m afraid to say but most of these guys are there to make up the numbers so the 2 or 3 laddies these clubs are genuinely hopeful of being stars have a team to play with for a few years when they’re not out on loan. Even Lincoln City battered Man City U21s 5-0 in the EFL Trophy and that is supposed to be one of, if not the best, academies in the world currently.