Hibernian captain Joe Newell is determined to secure a cup victory this season, driven by the legendary status of David Gray and a unique tribute from a close friend. Newell, 33, is entering his eighth season at Easter Road after an injury-plagued campaign that sidelined him for 11 months from December 2024 to November 2025 due to a groin problem requiring surgery.
Silverware Ambition
Newell emphasised that European football and a cup win remain the club's primary goals. "The goal will never change here - European football and a cup," he said. "Consistency is starting to get there with the European football, top six finishes, always striving to do as well as we can in the league. Then a good cup run, a cup win, is something we have fallen short on." He added that the topic has already been discussed within the squad: "It will be on the front of everyone's minds."
Reflecting on the 10-year anniversary of Hibernian's 2016 Scottish Cup triumph, which ended a 114-year wait, Newell noted the lasting legacy of that team. "I can only imagine how magical it is. The gaffer speaks about it rarely... he doesn't mention it as much as you'd think. But looking back on the 10-year anniversary of it, these boys will be remembered forever. That's something I'm desperate for."
Friend's Tattoo Tribute
Newell revealed a personal anecdote about his friend's extraordinary gesture to commemorate Gray's winning goal in the 3-2 victory over Rangers. "In fact my mate's got David Gray's tattoo on his thigh!" Newell said. "A cup win would be unbelievable. You're remembered forever. It gives the fans something. There'll be tattoos to commemorate it."
Gray, now Hibs manager, scored the last-gasp header that secured the historic win. Newell quipped that a cup triumph would allow him to "sail off into the sunset."
Return from Injury
Newell missed significant European matches against Midtjylland, Partizan Belgrade, and Legia Warsaw during the summer of 2025 while recovering from surgery. He expressed eagerness for the upcoming season: "When I was on holiday I was just buzzing to get back. I missed out on a lot. I just love playing football for this club and I have missed out on a lot of good nights and big moments in the last few years."
Hibernian are set to face either Vllaznia of Albania or Malisheva of Kosovo in the Conference League second qualifying round later this month. Newell highlighted the importance of early-season European ties: "I'm massively looking forward to Europe, they are unbelievable nights. You don't really think of it as a kid growing up down south. Unless you're going to play for Man United it's not thought of. It's a different challenge. In Scotland you are used to playing against the same teams but these are different challenges and always really special nights. And because they're so early in the season it means you're not sleep walking into the season, you have to hit the ground running."
