LET ME MAKE IT UP

New boy McGrath feels he owes Hibs group stage spot

- By Scott Burns

JAMIE McGRATH has taken dogs’ abuse for costing his new teammates automatic group stage football - now he wants to make it up to them by getting Hibs there via the qualifiers.

The summer signing was part of Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup-winning side that cost David Gray’s third-placed finishers a guaranteed first crack at the Euro sections.

It also cut their preseason break short and the Easter Road dressing-room haven't been shy in letting McGrath know their feelings about that.

Ahead of tonight's first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round against Midtjylland in Denmark, McGrath said: “That’s the first thing that happened as soon as I walked in. There has been a bit of banter floating around.

“T think I cut the lads’ preseason short as well. The boys haven’t let me forget it.”

McGrath, 28, signed a pre-contract in February to join Hibs and has no regrets about seeing out last season with the Dons.

“T made the decision early on, so to go on and win the Cup was absolutely amazing. Memories I'll never forget,” said the Republic of Ireland attacker.