“It would mean everything” Hibernian's Siobhan Hunter looks ahead to SWPL finale
Image supplied by the SWPL: Siobhan Hunter knows there is a long way to go in this season.
By Jack Cranmer
For many years Hibernian were perennially the second team in Scottish women’s football behind the dominant juggernaut of Glasgow City.
Following three title wins between 2003 and 2007 the Edinburgh club found themselves trailing City, coming second to them in seven of their 14 consecutive title winning seasons between 2007 and 2021.
However, the side have a history of winning. They are the 2nd most successful team in the women’s game, with 15 cup triumphs to go along with their three league titles, many of these cups requiring victories over City to win.
This season has seen a rejuvenation from the Hibees, following four seasons outwith the top three. Grant Scott’s side find themselves 2nd in the table, level on points with leaders City and only behind on goal difference.
Defender Siobhan Hunter spoke at this week’s SWPL top six event at Hampden. She has been at Hibernian her full career and has won both cups with the side but is looking to add a league winner’s medal to complete her haul.
She said: “It would mean the world to me, I’ve never won it before, it's the only trophy I've not won. Every team in the top six is really difficult to play against. We know that we can compete, but we won't get carried away.”
She also addressed what it would mean to end the clubs league title duck: "It's possible, but there's a long way to go. But for the club to do such a big thing, it would mean everything, it's a progression that we want and it’s something that we strive to do.
“We'll do everything we can and try to go as far as we can.”
Hibs have the joint-second best defensive record in the league alongside capital city rivals Hearts, with only league leaders Glasgow City having conceded fewer goals.
On this record Hunter said:” Clean sheets are what you want. It's what you strive for on the day, obviously, you want to win, but if you can get the win on a clean sheet, it's massive.
“And as a defender, that's all you want to do.
“It's been huge this season and has helped us get to where we're at just now.”
Hibs beat title rivals Rangers 3-0 away from home just before Christmas and Hunter believes this has been the highlight of the season.
She said: “Going into that game we were the big underdogs. We managed to come away with the three points, score three goals, and put in a great performance.”
A veteran of the women’s game in Scotland, having first joined Hibs youth set up as a 9-year-old in 2004, Hunter discussed the improved pathway at her club for girls coming through striving to make their way in football.
She said: “When I first started, I was paying to play, so even in that aspect we're now getting paid to play.
“We're now a full-time team, in with the men, we have all the facilities, it’s a good crowd at the club and they’ve really pushed for change.”
Speaking about the current crop of younger players coming through she said: “There are opportunities there for them and hopefully a lot more can come through the academy and progress onto the first team because that's what you want.
“Our club is based on academy players so hopefully we get a lot more to come through.”
Hibs travel to face Glasgow City in their first post split fixture on Sunday with an away trip to Rangers on the final day.