Hibernian

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

It's been a tough week for Hibs.

Two games where we've conceded in quick succession and gone on to lose has really dampened what was left of the early-season optimism, particularly the manner of the goals.

Last season's horror start was characterised by self-inflicted wounds, and we're seeing the same bad habits creeping back into our play.

Whether it's defensive lapses at key moments, or missing sitters, the result has been no points from six in a week where two victories could have taken us into second place.

It hasn't worked at either end of the pitch in the past two games and it definitely feels like there's something lacking in this Hibs side at the moment. Last season's turnaround was delivered with swagger and confidence, sparked by the 3-3 draw with Aberdeen.

Maybe David Gray needs another result snatched from the jaws of defeat to give his side the lift that's needed to make sure the season doesn't turn into a mid-table battle with the other top-six hopefuls.

Gray definitely needs and deserves time to find the answers, though – we saw what he is capable of last season and glimpsed it in our early European campaign, so I'm hopeful the club shut out the noise and back him to strengthen the squad in January.

Finally, best wishes to the BBC's Kenny Macintyre on his recovery from prostate cancer. It's a measure of Kenny that he would use his platform to raise awareness of the importance of regular screening, and I hope he has a speedy recovery.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

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Hibernian defender Rocky Bushiri has been named in DR Congo's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Bushiri, 26, joins Celtic winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, 24, in Sebastien Desabre's squad.

DR Congo will play Benin (23 December), Senegal (27 December) and Botswana (30 December) in Group D.

Bushiri has been capped five times and Balikwisha made his DR Congo debut in the play-off victory over Nigeria last month after switching allegiance from Belgium.

We asked for your views on Hibs' 2-1 defeat to Celtic yesterday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Neil: No need to overanalyse this one. A better performance than against Motherwell, but we gifted Celtic two goals and never took our chances, therefore we didn't deserve to win the game.

Bill: Same old shortcomings, keeper and Rocky Bushiri caught out for first, Bushiri jogging back at second. Once again formation not working, Chris Cadden and Jordan Obita can't defend. Kieron Bowie and Martin Boyle having to chase long balls, not much service. Nothing on bench.

Mark: Hibs played well for long periods and dominated for most of it. Ninety seconds of lapsed concentration cost us the points. If we continue to play like that, we'll win more than we lose.

Ross: Concerned with some of the performances against the bigger clubs so far this season. Far too passive in games vs the old firm and I disagree with David Gray's assessment. We never looked like getting back into the game. We are becoming a little too predictable in our tactics.

Sandy: Hibs are in need of a 'statement' win, and it was not to be today. Celtic were not the better team, as much as we shot ourselves in the foot with defensive errors yet again!

Scott: Started and finished well but in-between Celtic mostly controlled the game. Finishing was poor as was the defending for the two Celtic goals. Gray simply must do better with this squad.

Michael: Celtic were handed the first goal but we did better in the second half but a point a piece would have been fair!

Grant: I think we shouldn't be playing out from the back against a quality side like Celtic, tactics were wrong again. When we changed the shape second half, and went a bit more direct we definitely had them on the ropes.

Watch highlights from Celtic's Scottish Premiership win at Easter Road on Sunday.

Available to UK users only.

Hibernian head coach David Gray hopes Nicky Cadden's early withdrawal in the loss to Celtic will mean his calf strain is not as severe while tightness felt by Jordan Obita is "nothing significant". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Two former referees say Celtic full-back Colby Donovan should have been sent off for a challenge on Obita in the visitors' 2-1 win at Easter Road. (The Ref's View via Record, external)

Steve Conroy and Des Roache also bemoan a lack of consistency over the handball rule. (The Ref's View via Glasgow Times, external)

The penalty for handball given against Celtic's Liam Scales following a VAR review in their win over Hibs was the correct call, believes the defender. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "For very large periods we were on top. We definitely deserved to get something.

"I saw everything I asked the players to do. You need to take your chances against a team like Celtic, that's something that's maybe let us down today.

"You give Celtic a two-goal head start, it's a difficult thing [to come back from]. The players maybe got spooked by that. We saw a really positve reaction second half.

"I take responsibility for the first goal, mistakes happen with the way we try to play out. The players should take belief from the second half."

Interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill preserved his perfect Scottish Premiership record as two goals in 33 first-half seconds helped defeat Hibernian.

Have your say on the game here.

Read the match report here.

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Hibs defender Grant Hanley drops out through suspension but Josh Campbell returns from injury. Rudi Molotnikov (ankle), Junior Hoilett (niggle) and Dylan Levitt (appendix) are out.

Celtic hope Colby Donovan can shake off a foot knock while Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi are in contention after hamstring injuries.

James Forrest remains out while Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand (both hamstring) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) are long-term absentees.

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Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger is hopeful of forcing his way into the Austria squad before next summer's World Cup.

The 29-year-old, signed in June from Austrian Bundesliga side TSV Hartberg, has kept four clean sheets so far in the Scottish Premiership as the Hibees sit third in the table.

Sallinger played once for Austria Under-20s but is yet to receive a call up to the senior side.

"It should be every player's ambition to be in the national team," he said.

"I'm very happy for my country and for the Austrian national team that they have qualified for the World Cup.

"I want to just try the best I can. Maybe they're going to have a look at Scotland, maybe they give me a chance.

"But I think it's on me, I want to make the best performances I can and then let's see what happens.

"A lot of players are playing for international teams. It would be good if this happens to me as well. It was always a target for me to play in an international team and if it happens, it happens."

As Hibs prepare to face Celtic at Easter Road on Sunday, Sallinger isn't putting any more pressure on the game despite the potential increased recognition it could receive from the Austria national team set up.

"For me no, because I have to do the best I can in every game," he said. "But maybe for them it's more publicity and everything, it's on TV.

"I don't know, but the league doesn't get decided in one game, so there are a couple of games to play. I just want to make sure that I'm performing well in every game."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hosting a Celtic side on a high from Thursday's Europa League win over Feyenoord is a "very good" game for Hibernian after their midweek defeat by Motherwell, head coach David Gray insists.

"I'm looking for a reaction and I know I'll get it from the players," he said of Sunday's game.

"We've got a home crowd, early kick-off, live on the telly, I think it's what players should come to this football club for, an opportunity to test themselves against one of the best in the league."

It is expected to be Martin O'Neill's final game as Celtic interim manager before a permanent appointment is made.

"A lot of people have said they've not had a brilliant start to the season, but they're in the cup final, they've just won in Europe away," Gray said.

"I think obviously with Martin O'Neill and his staff coming in, they've steadied the ship, they've won some big results and, if it is to be their last game, I'm sure they'll want to go out on a high.

"Our opportunity now is to try and make sure that doesn't happen. Regardless of who the manager is, whatever their form is, they've got top players, players that play European football for a reason, so we know the challenge will be difficult."

Hibs missed the chance to narrow the gap with second-top Celtic to two points on Tuesday as Motherwell drew level with Gray's side on goal difference.

"You can't dwell on things like that, but I did think it was important we didn't just sweep it under the carpet," he added.

"The biggest disappointment from my point of view, and where my frustration came from, was it was just so unlike us as a performance.

"It's not as if I've had to do this a lot, but I had to go over it and I had to be quite blunt. We got sucked into a way of playing, I believe, for the first 20-25 minutes which is not the way we've played."

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 Premiership clash with Celtic on Sunday.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Gray says the fact Easter Road is one of only two Scottish stadiums included in the UK bid for the 2023 Women's World Cup is a fitting legacy for former owner Ron Gordon.

• Gray says Hibs have already moved on and recovered from the disappointing midweek loss at Fir Park. He says "you can't dwell" on a defeat, but expects a "reaction" in front of their own fans.

• The frustration stems from the performance being "so unlike us" and being "sucked into" the game Motherwell wanted.

• There have been some honest discussions between the players about what went wrong against Motherwell, but Gray says that happens all the time as they are an honest group.

• He praised Celtic's win against Feyenoord, which he says was great for them and Scottish football as a whole.

• With Sunday possibly Martin O'Neill's last match as Celtic interim manager, Gray knows they will come to Easter Road determined to win for the Northern Irishman, who has won all of his domestic matches so far.

• The Hibs boss adds: "They'll want to go out on a high and our opportunity now is to try and make sure that doesn't happen. Regardless of who the manager is, whatever their form is, they've got top players, players that play European football for a reason, so we know the challenge will be difficult."

• Team news: Junior Hoilett misses out with a hip injury but Josh Campbell is available again.

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Hibernian's Easter Road is one of 22 venues included in the the UK's bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup.

Hampden Park in Glasgow is the only other Scottish stadium listed.

Edinburgh and Glasgow are two of the 16 host cities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The UK's joint bid stands unopposed and could be ratified by a vote in a Fifa congress in 2026.

Easter Road hosted Scotland women's win over Hungary in the Euro 2025 play-off semi-final play-off second leg in Ocotber last year.

Hibs chairman Ian Gordon said: "We are delighted to be part of the UK's exciting bid to host the 2035 Fifa Women's World Cup.

"Since my family and I became majority shareholders in Hibernian FC we have been extremely passionate about the development of women's football.

"As a club we have made huge strides over the last few years and have tried to support the Scotland national team at Easter Road whenever opportunities arose.

"We are strongly supporting the bid to host the Women's World Cup and believe a proposal of this kind can leave a lasting legacy on the women's game."

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• After their 2-1 win in February, Hibs could enjoy back-to-back home league victories over Celtic for the first time since December 2018.

• Since the start of 2017-18, Celtic have won just 27% of their league visits to Easter Road (four/15), their lowest away win rate against any opponent in the Scottish Premiership in this period.

• Hibs have only lost one of their past 18 home league games (W11 D6), going down 1-0 to Rangers in October.

• Celtic have won three successive league games without conceding. The Hoops last won more in a row in December 2024 (seven), and last did so while keeping a clean sheet each time in their opening six league matches of last season.

• No side has scored more 90th-minute (or later) winners in the Premiership this season than Celtic (three, level with Hearts), including Callum McGregor last time out at St Mirren. The last club to score more in a single campaign in the competition were Rangers in 2016-17 (five).

• Against Motherwell on Tuesday night, Hibs had just two shots, their lowest in a Premiership match since February 2022 against Celtic (also two), and the joint fewest any side has managed in a single match in the competition in 2025-26 (Dundee also two v Hibs in August).

• Celtic's Callum McGregor has been involved in 76 open play sequences ending in a shot in the Premiership this season – at least 13 more than any other player.

• Hibs have scored five goals following high turnovers in the league – more than any other team – despite the fact only two teams have had fewer shots following high turnovers than David Gray's side (10) in the division this term (Aberdeen eight, Dundee seven).

Hibernian are "hurting" following their midweek loss to Motherwell, says Chris Cadden. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Was David Gray tactically outwitted by Motherwell counterpart Jens Berthel Askou in Hibs' defeat at Fir Park?

Hibs' run of back-to-back wins was ended by a 2-0 loss, compounded by Grant Hanley's first-half red card.

Former Easter Road midfielder Scott Allan thinks Hibs were caught out by the hosts' set-up.

"Hibs will be really disappointed, but they just couldn't get to grips with it," he said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"They did the set-up all week, expecting Motherwell to have four at the back, and they found out after half an hour it was something different, a back three.

"That's the difficult thing for Gray, because they hadn't changed all season. Askou changed last night and it was arguably Motherwell's performance of the season.

"Once Askou gave you a completely different thing to think about, it's very hard to then change that within the game, against that sort of shape, that was the biggest thing.

"Askou, after the game, basically highlighted the plan was to leave Hanley on the ball. They'd left him on the ball, and once he played the square passes, that was the trigger to press aggressively.

"He wanted to highlight the one v one with Tawanda Maswanhise and Hanley. They pressed the two outside centre-backs, and Hibs just really struggled to deal with it."

Scottish coach and analyst John Walker says the Hibs back three are all susceptible to a howler.

"That's the funny thing about Hibs, when I look at their back three of Rocky Bushiri, Hanley and Jack Iredale, I look at people who are capable of having nines out of tens and going to Ibrox and keeping clean sheets and beating Rangers or Celtic," said Walker.

"But I also look at that defence and every one of them can get a red card and have an absolute howler of a night. Unfortunately for Hanley, who's just came off the back of probably the best week of his footballing life, that's all it was.

"Hibs just need to get through this little spell. Gray's got the experience of turning things around as well, so Hibs will be absolutely fine."

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We asked for your views on Hibernian's 2-0 defeat against Motherwell in which Grant Hanley was sent off in the first half.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: Hibs will bounce back on Sunday. Celtic still reeling after another European defeat can be beaten at Easter Road.

Bill: This was no shock, we have a poor defence. Rocky Bushiri and Grant Hanley are slow. We are nowhere near the team from last season, departing guys not replaced. Top four or five will be a tough ask. The formation is not working.

Ringo: A terrible performance just when you think Hibs are getting somewhere, they always let you down. Far too many defenders making mistakes, how many times does this happen? If Martin Boyle scores then maybe we are back in the game, how he misses is beyond me.

Neil: A blueprint for how to beat Hibs. Motherwell completely disarmed us and we had no answers. That wasn't individual errors in the first 25 minutes, it was a one-dimensional performance from us, Motherwell completely dominated and we showed no agility in response.

Kenny: From the best game of the season to the worst in four days. What is it with this team? We simply didn't turn up. We only made one clear-cut chance and Boyle missed it when it would have easier to score. We need to get our act together for Sunday. Very disappointed.

Michael: Absolutely shocking performance from Hibs. You could see the formation and shape wasn't working 15 minutes into the game, but David Gray refuses to change. There never seems to be a gameplan or tactics. A few wins against the two bottom clubs of the league, a poor Aberdeen team and fans think we are world class. A good experienced manager would have this team comfortably sitting second.

Scott: Comprehensively outplayed by Motherwell for most of that game, Hibs never really got going after that sloppy opening 20 minutes. The midfield were really poor in possession consistently giving the ball away while the defending was disjointed. Even if Boyle had used his left foot, Hibs were not good enough to get anything from that game. Too many players just didn't turn up which will be a concern for Gray.

Hibernian head coach David Gray feels Motherwell scorer Tawanda Maswanhise was fortunate not to be sent off for an attempted headbutt on Jack Iredale in Hibs' 2-0 defeat by Well at Fir Park on Tuesday. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Hibernian head coach David Gray told BBC Scotland: "Everything that could have gone wrong in the first 20, 25 minutes certainly did. In the end, we got what we deserved for that 25-minute display.

"Really poor, really slow. Everything we didn't want to do. Motherwell didn't do anything different from what we thought [they would] to catch us out.

"It's unlike us. It's not as if it was individual, there was lots of errors between us in that performance. Compounded by that was a few decisions that went against us, but they came about from really poor play from us so I won't put it down to that.

"We're really up against it, 2-0 down, down to 10 men, but one thing is they didn't throw the towel in. They kept running right to the very end.

"There's a big moment just before half-time [Martin Boyle shot cleared off the line]. If we go in at 2-1 down, having been as poor as we were, it would have been big.

"I can't fault the effort second half, the players tried to keep going, tried to carry a threat. But tonight we got what we deserved.

On Grant Hanley's dismissal... "It was a factual decision, and it's the letter of the law. It's an accidental trip but it's a red card.

On the penalty decision... "I'm not sure what he's meant to do with that. The shot is clearly going miles wide. Grant hasn't made himself any bigger, he's not even trying to block the shot.

"The biggest issue for me is inconsistency. What I just watched at Ibrox four days ago... Inconsistency is the problem. I don't know the rule."

Motherwell swept past 10-man Hibernian at Fir Park, moving level on points with the Edinburgh side, who hang on to third place in the Scottish Premiership after a hapless display.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.