The brothers who “defied the odds” to live their Hibernian dream
As Hibernian cruised past a lowly Livingston on their way to a 3-0 victory at the weekend, there was a special moment for 17-year-old Jacob MacIntyre who made his professional debut as a 78th minute substitute for goal scorer Adam Le Fondre.
In every school in the country, there’s an endless pool of youngsters dreaming of becoming a footballer and playing for the club they love, but for many it is simply branded an impossible goal.
This makes it all the more impressive when anyone crosses that white line into the professional game, but there’s something extra special about MacIntyre’s story.
Jacob has followed in the footsteps of his older brother Oscar, who was handed his senior bout on the final day of the 2021-22 season by then caretaker boss David Gray, before appearing twice last year under Lee Johnson.
The two count themselves in the esteemed company of the McGinn, Henderson and Baker brothers to have represented the Leith club, with Oscar currently on loan with Annan Athletic in the Scottish League One.
Jacob was signed at the age of nine, while Oscar would have to wait for his chance at 14, but both would go on to play crucial roles in the side’s U18 league title win in 2022.
This gave the young Hibees the chance to feature in the UEFA Youth League the next season, where both MacIntyres featured regularly on the side’s impressive run to the Round of 16 where they would be narrowly defeated by German giants Borussia Dortmund.
Pursuit of a professional career in the game does not just require dedication and commitment from the players, but also their families.
Boyd MacIntyre, the boys’ father, said: “It’s been an amazing feeling for us as a family, can you imagine having two boys at one point in different age groups so we were at the Hibernian Training Centre seven days a week, I felt like I worked there!
Things got a little easier when they eventually trained and played the majority of their football together and after they both signed professionally it wasn’t long before Oscar started driving so it was just games from then on.”
Oscar had initially spent the first half of the season on loan at Queen of the South, working under former Hibernian midfielder Marvin Bartley, before moving to Annan, while Jacob suffered a broken metatarsal injury and missed five months of football shortly after the club appointed Nick Montgomery as manager.
Boyd went on to say: “The challenge of having two boys trying to achieve the same goal in such a competitive sport, the odds weren’t great.
However, after Jacob crossed the white line on Saturday into first team football they defied the odds.
As much as it’s another foot on the ladder they are both totally aware that the journey has just started and to take nothing for granted.
Both brothers are boyhood Hibs fans, and can look to the examples of Paul Hanlon, Ryan Porteous, and Josh Campbell as supporters who forged successful careers at the club.
This season five other youngsters have been given professional debuts at Easter Road, with manager Montgomery putting a strong emphasis on youth development.
Speaking to the Hibs Observer in his post-match press conference, Montgomery said: “It’s great to have them [academy players] coming on with a few players missing today. He [Jacob MacIntyre] was assured when he came on, and showed a good energy – that’s all you want from a young player.
His attitude was very good, it was a debut for him to remember.”
The younger MacIntyre is now on international duty as a part of Billy Stark’s Scotland under-19 side, while Oscar, 19, prepares for a League One clash with Kelty Hearts.
