Hibernian

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• Rangers are unbeaten in their last 24 league meetings with Hibs (W17 D7) since a 2-1 defeat in February 2018 under Graeme Murty.

• Hibs have lost their past 11 league visits to Rangers by an aggregate score of 27-7 since a 1-1 draw in December 2018 under Neil Lennon.

• Rangers have lost their past four home games in all competitions – the longest losing run at home in the club's history.

• Hibs are unbeaten in their past 15 league games (W10 D5), the longest unbeaten run within a single season in the Scottish top fight in the 21st century by any side other than the Old Firm clubs. Hibs started the day of the first game in this run (14 Dec) bottom of the table, but now find themselves third.

• Rangers have conceded 2+ goals in each of their past five league games (11 conceded in total); in their entire history, only from December 1893 to April 1894 have they ever conceded twice or more in six successive league fixtures.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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For Hibernian fans, the gloriously chaotic 3-3 draw with Aberdeen in late November was the moment their faith in the team they love was restored.

But, even throughout a pulsating game, their patience and resolve was tested to its maximum.

The last six minutes will live with me and everyone who was inside the stadium for a long time.

Pressure had been mounting on Gray after a series of costly late concessions, but then the most unlikely of heroes emerged.

Rocky Bushiri had never really won over the Hibs support. He made mistakes and opponents targeted him.

In his previous 78 games, he had never scored. But he did that night and it was the moment that changed a season.

The goal probably kept Gray in a job, given defeat would have left them languishing at the bottom of the table.

However, since then, only Celtic have been able to get the better of Gray and his team and a third-place finish is now a distinct possibility.

Read more on the six-goal epic that changed two teams' seasons

Hibernian head coach David Gray would be open to Bournemouth goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, the 22-year-old currently on loan to Auckland, joining on loan next season as part of the Black Knight FC network. (Scottish Sun), external

Hibs head coach David Gray has targeted a new goalkeeper as a position he would like to strengthen this summer. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The victory against St Johnstone was as comfortable a three points as Hibs have earned this season.

It's also another indication of just how progressive the club have been over the past few months, with confidence oozing from the players and no fear or doubts in how they play.

The win secured the top-six place that in the early part of the campaign looked unachievable given the wretched start. The players gave themselves a mountain to climb and should be proud of what they have achieved since mid-November.

The prize now is finishing off the campaign in similar style and securing a lucrative European spot.

With stability in the management and behind the scenes, everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Next up is a trip to Ibrox where it's difficult to know exactly what Rangers will turn up. Under Barry Ferguson the Ibrox side have shown a fragility in defence that Hibs will look to exploit.

But in other games, especially in Europe, Rangers have produced some incredible performances that few would have thought possible with their squad.

However, a key aspect is that Hibs now enter these games with a confidence and belief they can triumph. Since the end of November, only Celtic have beaten David Gray's side. That's just two defeats in 21 outings. And in the league, they are unbeaten in 15.

So can Hibs maintain their impressive momentum with a first victory at Ibrox in seven years?

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Is the Scottish Premiership in need of a shake-up? If so, how do you go about it?

News emerged on Tuesday that the SPFL is considering changing Scotland's top flight to a 10, 14 or 16-team division in an attempt to help reduce fixture congestion.

In its current 12-team form, the clubs split into a top and bottom six after 33 rounds of matches, with 38 rounds played altogether.

That format has been in place since 2000-01 and retaining that model is also an option, but reports have also suggested the split could be scrapped.

For any fresh structure to pass, it needs the backing of 11 of the 12 Premiership clubs, and eight out of 10 from the Championship plus 75% of League One and League Two combined.

And judging by the fan reaction to the mere thought of reducing the league to a 10-team division, you would have to assume that idea is already unlikely.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, former Premiership players Cammy Bell and Cillian Sheridan provided their views on a potential restructure.

Expansion is the only option for former Rangers and Kilmarnock goalkeeper Bell, while ex-Celtic striker Sheridan would like to see the split retained.

"I think we need a little bit of freshness about our game," Bell said. "So, if we can expand that league, then absolutely do it. We've got big enough clubs now that can generate good crowds.

"We're at a time just now where we've got the potential of trying to change it and certainly for me it's got to be expansion."

"The split works now," Sheridan added. "When I first came over and saw the whole split thing, I just never really got it. But in the past few years it has been quite interesting.

"If the league is wrapped up, if relegation is wrapped up, it does add a little bit of excitement to things in terms of teams getting into the top six and having to get European football."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Moments before Keiron Bowie sealed Hibs' win over St Johnstone on Saturday, three of the Easter Road stands serenaded Rocky Bushiri.

It was done partly in the hope he'd be handed the ball to take the penalty that had just been awarded, and partly to recognise his storming foray forward that had set up the opportunity for the spot-kick to be given in the first place.

Rocky is in the final few months of his contract and the imposing centre-half must be loving life at the moment.

He has been an integral part of Hibs' revival this season and the love from the stands on Saturday was a far cry from the taunts of the Hearts support back on Boxing Day following his unfortunate own goal in the Edinburgh derby.

Rocky, of course, had the last laugh that day and he's barely stopped laughing since. "He's got a mistake in him" is a statement often thrown out when Bushiri's name is mentioned, but that's a lazy observation these days – those mistakes are few and far between and while he will still make them, that goes for any footballer at any level.

The 25-year-old has not always been this popular with the support. His signing was clumsily announced by Hibs shortly after the club had announced his exit following the completion of an initial loan spell, and the rumours (incorrect as they may be) were that he'd been signed by accident.

He's been scapegoated and made a figure of fun by commentators and pundits who really should know better, so it's a huge credit to Rocky that he has come through such adversity to prove himself a key player in a squad sitting clear in third place.

I hope Hibs can keep him. No doubt Rocky will have many suitors and he'll have his own ambitions but if he does leave, he will go having won round a Hibs support who have taken a real shine to him.

Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers, external

Lewis Miller: The Australian international has improved in recent months to become an important player in the Hibs back three.

Junior Hoilett: His class was clear to see at Aberdeen last term and he has taken that skilful assurance to Easter Road with great effect.

Watch all the highlights from Hibs' 3-0 victory over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

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Junior Hoilett has hailed head coach David Gray as the driving force in Hibs' turnaround this season.

Despite a difficult start to the campaign, the Edinburgh club made it 15 Premiership games unbeaten with their 3-0 victory over St Johnstone on Saturday making it their longest unbeaten streak in the competition in over 10 years.

Hoilett got Hibs up and running with the first goal at Easter Road, Martin Boyle got the second and Keiron Bowie's converted penalty in injury time made it three.

"It's credit to the staff, the players and the manager of course," the winger said.

"We've been resilient day in day out, working hard and supporting one another and you can see how we play and how we turn it around.

"He gives us the confidence to go out and express ourselves and play to our strengths and that's what we've been doing to turn the season around so quickly.

"It's a massive achievement."

Hibs fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's victory over St Johnstone secured a top six spot.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Paul: In season's gone by, and even earlier this season, games like that would end in a drab draw or disappointing loss but the composure, control and result feels like a significant step forward in mindset. Hats off to David Gray and the players!

Les: A completely dominant performance from start to finish. It was a pleasure to watch the confidence flowing through this Hibs team and get the result they fully deserved. A far cry from the abject displays earlier in the season. Well done to the manager and players for making us proud again.

Drew: Two rainbows meant the sun was definitely shining on Leith, but the three goals made it worth singing. Hibs were clumsy at times but St Johnstone couldn't capitalise. The penalty was icing on the cake but the real sweetness was seeing Hibs staying strong. David Gray's made a real difference to the mentality of the team it seems, we didn't look like a team who were looking for a way to lose. It seems impossible that we've moved from worries about relegation to hopes of Europe, but that's the difference a Gray makes.

Tim: What a turnaround from the beginning of the season. Hibs look so assured and confident on the pitch. They look well drilled, disciplined and creative. With the right signings over the summer, we'll be a real threat to the Old Firm.

Craig: Top six secure and now to wrap up European football for next season. Who'd have thought in November we'd be here? Junior Hoilett's goal was superb and he was defensively sound all game. It was good to see Alasana Manneh get some minutes, hope he continues to improve the more game time he gets. Anniversary year going well to date.

Alan: Very professional performance from Hibs. Can't believe that this is the same team that was struggling at the beginning of the season.

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• Hibernian are undefeated in their last 15 games in the Premiership, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition (since at least 2013/2014).

• David Gray's side have scored in each of their last five games in the Premiership, scoring 11 goals in that run.

• Mykola Kuharevich attempted six shots in this game, the highest total for a Hibernian player in the Premiership this season.

• Martin Boyle has scored 10 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Hibernian player, as well as scoring in his last three games.

• Hibernian have won eight penalties in the Premiership this season, no team has won more.

• They have scored 12 goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Celtic (19) have scored more.

• The Easter Road club are unbeaten in their last 24 Premiership matches when leading at half-time (W17, D7) dating back to 18 March 2023 against Celtic (L1-3).

• St. Johnstone have conceded 11 goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (13) have conceded more.

• St. Johnstone have failed to score a first-half goal in 23 of their 31 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premiership this season.

• The Saints did not attempt a single shot in the first half.

Hibs fans, were you at Easter Road on Saturday or following the action from home? What did you make of your side's performance?

Have your say on the game.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "I'm very happy, I think that was the complete performance and you can't ask for any more.

"All in all a fantastic day's work and we fully deserved it given the performance.

"It showed you how well we did without the ball that the goalkeeper didn't have a save to make which showed our dominance. If I'm being critical there were two or three times in the second half we could have been a bit more clinical but I've got no complaints, the boys were brilliant today.

"At the start of the season the aim is to finish in the top six minimum for this football club. Then you start to look towards European places and if that's achievable. That's the target, that's the aim.

"We had a real difficult start, had to go through that adversity at the start of the season but that's now 15 games undefeated in the league which has given us the opportunity to secure top six with two games to go.

"We can't catch the team in front now so we're now the team being chased down. Nobody can catch you if you win games of football so that's the challenge to the players now."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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After a fairly even start it turned out to be a convincing victory for David Gray and his players.

It's clear to see they are playing with enormous confidence and deserve all the plaudits that are coming their way.

The battle for a third place finish is not one they would have thought they would have been involved in after the opening few months of the season but the table doesn't lie and its exactly where they deserve to be after a magnificent run of form in the league.

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Hibernian are still without Nicky Cadden (hamstring) and Joe Newell (pelvis).

Long-term injury victims Uche Ikpeazu, Bozo Mikulic (both knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) are missing for St Johnstone.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibs head coach David Gray says "communication" with Rocky Bushiri about a new deal is ongoing, with the defender's contract expiring this summer.

Bushiri, 25, made his first competitive appearance for DR Congo in their 1-0 victory over South Sudan in a World Cup qualifier last week.

When asked if he expected Bushiri's future to be at Easter Road, Gray said: "It could well be.

"I think there is communication going on, as there is with all the players that are out of contract. And right now, there's no distractions for what we're trying to do.

"He's fully focused on what he wants to try and do. And now that he's back, he's trying to make sure he stays in the team and plays at a certain level. Because I've said it all the time, you're constantly being judged when you pull on the jersey.

"Whether that's to earn a contract here or elsewhere, it's in your best interest to do the best you can. And if a team's successful and individually we're successful, then everybody benefits."

Bushiri remains in the dark about whether his future lies away from Easter Road and says he has not received an "official offer" to stay.

"I don't know if I'm honest," the former Norwich City defender said. "I don't know what the future looks like but I hope it's a positive future.

"Why not [stay at Hibs]? I have been exchanging thoughts with the manager and the club over the last few months. But an official offer hasn't been there yet."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibernian head coach David Gray has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership match against St Johnstone on Saturday.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Gray wants to cement Hibs' top-six place at the earliest opportunity with a win against Simo Valakari's side.

• He expressed delight at Rocky Bushiri making his competitive debut for DR Congo during the international break.

• Gray confirms talks about Bushiri's future at the club are ongoing, despite the player himself saying he has had no contract offer yet.

• Gray is delighted that all the players who were away on international duty have returned fit and well.

• He thinks St Johnstone are playing a "different" style of football under Valakari's management that has helped the team become more attractive to watch.

• Gray stressed the importance of qualifying for Europe in order to attract higher quality players to the club this summer.

Andy Campbell
BBC Sport Scotland

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Fresh from helping Australia defeat Indonesia and China, Hibs forward Martin Boyle can extend his recent resurgence at home to St Johnstone.

But it's not just Hibs' push for finishing third that is likely to be on Boyle's mind since the 31-year-old will soon enter the final two months of his contract.

The club has an option to extend his stay for another year, although Boyle has said conversations are unlikely until this term is complete.

He has three goals in his past five appearances for club and country. He's on to 14 for the season at Hibs, exceeding last term's haul of 11.

He scored the clincher in September's 2-0 win over Saints and a goal on Saturday would mean he equals his highest tally at Hibs in season 2020-21.

With eight games to play, Boyle will surely fancy his chances of making the current campaign his most prolific.

Read the rest of the Premiership picks

Hibernian are interested in Cheltenham Town winger Jordan Thomas, 23. (Football Insider), external

Hibernian are in constant discussions with Sunderland over the possibility of extending Nectar Triantis' stay at Easter Road, according to head coach David Gray. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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• Hibs are joint top of the Scottish Premiership this season for both points gained from losing positions (13, level with Kilmarnock) and points dropped from winning positions (20, level with Dundee).

• Hibs have alternated between winning (3 times) and losing (2) in their last five home league games against St Johnstone, winning 2-0 most recently in September.

• St Johnstone are winless in their past three league meetings with Hibs (D1 L2), and have only kept one clean sheet in 10 league games versus the Easter Road side (1-0 win in December 2023).

• Hibs have won their past four home league games, their longest run in the Scottish Premiership since winning seven on the bounce from January to April 2018 under Neil Lennon.

• St Johnstone have only won one of their past nine away league outings (D2 L6), a 1-0 victory at St Mirren in February.

Hibernian owner Ian Gordon has revealed the club are further on with plans to build a new first-team hub after a land swap at their current training centre. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.