James Keatings' strike earns Hibs a 1-0 win over Birmingham City
Tuesday 26 July 2016 13:25, UK
James Keatings' second-half blast earned Hibernian to a 1-0 friendly win over Birmingham City at Easter Road on Sunday.
Hibs head coach Neil Lennon made 10 changes to the team that bowed out of the Europa league qualifiers against Brondby in midweek, while the English Championship side had former Hibs players Clayton Donaldson and Jonathan Grounds in their ranks.
The first half was a low-key affair, with Dan Carmichael and Sam Stanton both working Birmingham keeper Tomasz Kuszczak from distance and Liam Fontaine seeing his header blocked.
Donaldson and Jacques Maghoma threatened for the visitors before Hibs stepped up the pace and the game's decisive moment arrived just after the hour; Keatings working some space in the box before firing past former Manchester United keeper Kuszczak from an acute angle.
After Andrew Shinnie appealed in vain for a penalty, Hibs threatened to add to their score as the impressive Martin Boyle hit the bar with a header and Kuszczak was forced to punch away Keatings' long-range effort.
The final chance of the game was to fall to Donaldson but he could only fire over the bar from 12 yards.
Hibs are next in action against Shrewsbury Town on July 31 while Gary Rowett's side continue their build-up to the new season when they tackle Port Vale on Wednesday July 27.
