Trip to Berwick & an Edinburgh derby to kick off the Neil Lennon era at Hibernian

BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport

Neil Lennon will take his Hibernian bow at Berwick Rangers after the capital club announced their pre-season schedule.

The Northern Irishman was confirmed as Alan Stubbs’ successor at Easter Road last night and his first fixture will be a trip to modest Shielfield Park on July 5 to face John Coughlin’s League Two side.

Lennon will then oversee his first match in the capital when Hibs, who report back for training on June 23, make the short trip to face city rivals Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium on July 7.

City, who were promoted to the SPFL for the first time in their history last term, will be hopeful of a bumper crowd for the clash, with the Scottish Cup also due to be paraded before kick-off.

Hibs’ maiden home game under their new boss takes place on July 10 when Motherwell are the visitors to Easter Road in their final friendly before the Hibees’ European campaign commences.

Hibs enter the Europa League at the second qualifying round – one round later than Aberdeen and Hearts – on July 14.