Hibernian

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David Gray says he will "always be very grateful" to Ben Kensell for giving him the opportunity to become Hibs head coach.

Kensell unexpectedly left his role as chief executive this week and Gray, who was appointed boss on a three-year deal last summer after four interim spells, has thanked the 43-year-od for his support.

"I've got nothing but positive things to say about him," Gray said. "He's been very, very supportive of me throughout my whole time at the football club.

"He's been here for three-and-a-half years. And when I think back to when he joined the club to where he leaves it, especially off-the-field things, [there has been] the transformation of the stadium and the commercial side of the business and everything else."

Kensell came in for criticism from some Hibs fans, with his tenure including two bottom-six finishes in three full seasons and four managerial sackings.

"Everyone's got an opinion on it and rightly so, everyone's allowed to have their own opinion and I don't think you'll ever get everybody on the same page all the time," Gray added.

"[He has been] massive, for the massive part I know he did, and giving me the opportunity to be head coach at the football club, so I'll always be very grateful for that.

"And even when I think back during the difficult times this season, he always asked me difficult questions when they needed to be asked but he was always very supportive of me as well. He was a big help during the difficult times."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray has been speaking to the media before Hibs face Ross County in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key points from the Hibs boss:

• Hibs altered their plans because of Storm Eowyn and left Edinburgh at around 8am to travel north.

• Gray adds: "Once we were away from the city we knew it was the right decision to leave early because my wife just phoned to tell me my fence has blown over. So that is a job for Sunday morning."

• Hibs are thankful to Inverness CT for the use of their training facilities this afternoon.

• Gray has "nothing but positive things" to say about chief executive Ben Kensell - who abruptly left the club on Thursday - and thankful of the support he received during a difficult start to the season.

• The Easter Road boss says confidence is high in the squad amid an eight-game unbeaten run and a win would take them closer to "cementing our place in the top six".

• Hibs are yet to make a signing this month and Gray says: "The biggest challenge is to make sure we finish the window in a stronger position than we were when it opened and I'm very confident that'll be the case."

• Joe Newell and Ellie Youann are still out. Nicky Cadden is available but will have to wear a face mask for around six weeks due to a broken nose.

Hibernian are close to completing the signing of 26-year old Gambian midfielder Alasana Manneh from Odense, but it might only be a pre-contract deal with a view to a summer move should negotiations break down because of the Danish club's injury crisis. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Hibs' David Gray would like to sign Nectarios Triantis permanently, but the head coach says that will depend on the 21-year-old midfielder's chances of first-team football when he returns to parent club Sunderland for the final year of his contract. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Chief executive Ben Kensell has left his position as Hibs chief executive after three-and-a-half years at Easter Road.

Hibs say Kensell helped the club "evolve significantly" and was "integral" to securing the partnership with Bournemouth owner Bill Foley's Black Knight Football Group.

Hibs sacked four managers and twice finished in the bottom six during Kensell's tenure.

The Gordon family, who took ownership of the club following Ron Gordon's death in February 2023, said in a statement: "We'd like to thank Ben for all his hard work and leadership over the last three-and-a-half-years.

"And we will be forever grateful for the support he provided our family after Ron's passing. As a club, we have made positive strides forward under Ben's guidance, and he will be leaving the club in a better place.

"We're always looking at the future of the club, and after discussions with Ben, we mutually decided that it was the right time to part ways.

"We wish him nothing but the best moving forward."

The club added they will continue to be led by the board of directors as the recruitment for a new chief executive gets under way.

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• Hibs are unbeaten in seven league games, winning five (D2), as many as their previous 26 beforehand (W5 D9 L12). Hibs last went longer without losing in the Scottish Premiership in September 2021 (nine games under Jack Ross).

• Ross County have only won one of their past seven league games against Hibs (D4 L2), a 2-1 victory at home in May 2024.

• After their 3-1 win in December, Hibs could pick up back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories over Ross County for the first time since October 2022, and first time within a single season since 2017-18.

• Ross County have lost three of their past four home league matches (D1), as many as their previous 16 beforehand (W7 D6 L3).

• Hibs forward Martin Boyle has scored a brace in both of his past two league games, while he last scored in three successive Scottish Premiership appearances in August 2021 (run of four).

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Hibs' expectedly comfortable Scottish Cup win over Clydebank was notable for the return from injury of Kieron Bowie as well as Rudi Molotnikov and Mykola Kuharevich.

The fans have high hopes striker Bowie, who joined in the summer from Fulham, and it was great to see him back in action after more than four months out.

The 3-0 victory - which has set up a fifth-round trip to Ayr United - was a highly satisfactory afternoon for David Gray. His side progressed without fuss, players returned to action, and the team kept the momentum that has been building over the last few weeks.

Also a word for young Lewis Gillie - the 16-year-old made his debut in the second half and he can be pleased with his contribution on a day he'll remember for a long time.

Martin Boyle opened the scoring inside the first two minutes and when Molotnikov fired over moments later, it looked like the visitors were going to be on the wrong end of a real hiding.

However, the expected goal rush never materialised and Gray clearly got in the players' ears at the interval as the second half was a much more energetic affair, with Molotnikov rounding off a fine return from injury before Boyle completed the scoring.

Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers Podcast, external

Forward Kieron Bowie's return to fitness for Hibernian is a huge lift, says head coach David Gray. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Bowie, 22, feels part of the Hibs team again following his lengthy absence. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your thoughts after Hibs' 3-0 Scottish Cup win against Clydebank on Saturday.

Here's what some of you said:

Danny: Hibs were decidedly average. The Bankies were obviously aiming to defend and didn't have a shot on target.

Kenny: A professional performance. We looked like a very good Premiership side. The team are working hard in all departments and the effort everyone's putting in is great to see. Our season starts here. Hopefully we can go on a good cup run but qualifying for Europe must be the priority. We can't afford now to take the foot off the gas.

John: The early goal got rid of any banana skin fears. Good to see Rudi Molotnikov get a start, he contributed to all good things on the park. The defence was solid as usual, Dylan Levitt's performance was excellent and Martin Boyle is unplayable at the moment.

Hibernian made their way through to the Scottish Cup last 16 after a confident and comfortable victory against sixth tier Clydebank.

David Gray had made five changes to the side that swept away Motherwell last weekend in the Premiership but it was clear from the opening whistle that there was to be no let up in their performance.

Indeed it took only 90 seconds for the 2016 winners to take the lead.

Junior Hoilett dispossessed full-back Adam Hodge before firing a cross into the box, where Martin Boyle had a simple task to knock home from close range.

Rudi Molotnikov came close to adding a second soon after but the Scotland under-18 international did find the net a minute into the second half.

Chris Cadden played in Boyle down the right and his deep cross to the back post was nodded home by the teenager to ease any thoughts of a Clydebank comeback.

And the tie was over just before the hour when Boyle fired home his second, and Hibs third, when he converted a Molotnikov cross after the visitors failed to clear.

Hibs fans, were you at Easter Road on Saturday or following the action from home? Either way we want your thoughts on the performance.

Have your say, external

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Hibernian manager David Gray: "I'm happy, job done in terms of getting into the next round.

"Massive credit to Clydebank to keep going the way they did. It was a great day for them and their supporters, they supported their team right to the end and encouraged them to keep going.

"The message before the game was to try and maintain the standards we've set in recent weeks. We became a bit sloppy in the first half but the second half was miles better, much more like us.

"Everybody came through the game which was important. All in all a really good day's work.

"We're delighted to be in the hat, that's the main thing, we'll see who we get and go from there."

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Two goals and an assist for the forward who is proving to be back to his goalscoring best.

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Hibs head coach David Gray wants his players to make their own special Scottish Cup memories having experienced his "greatest moment on a football pitch" in the 2016 final.

Gray headed home the winning goal to end Hibs' 114-year wait to win the tournament before lifting the trophy as captain.

The former defender leads Hibs into his first Scottish Cup tie as head coach on Saturday when they welcome West of Scotland Premier Division leaders Clydebank to Easter Road.

"I don't think it's about making it about me at all," he said. "The reality is that because I was part of a team that was fortunate enough to actually achieve something here in a cup competition, I'm able to say that 'it is achievable, we've done it', and how good it can be when that happens.

"It's the greatest moment I've ever experienced on a football pitch, personally. But also for the club, for the supporters, for everyone involved, they're great moments to be involved in. And as players, that's what you look back on.

"Now that I've retired from playing, I look back on what I achieved in my career.

"It's a very lucky position to be in and I feel very privileged to be able to do that, especially when you think back to some of the great players who maybe didn't win anything in their careers.

"To be able to say I have is fantastic. Obviously, we're a long way away from that at the moment. But at the start of every season, it is an objective of ours."

Gray is not going to select a second-string side for the match, despite the gulf between the sides in the Scottish league pyramid.

"I think with the amount of games and fixtures we've had, there is an opportunity to put a bit of freshness, but it will certainly be a really strong side," he added.

"It will be a tough tie. So, it will be a real strong side we put out with full ambition to win the game."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibs head coach David Gray has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Clydebank on Saturday.

Here's what he had to say:

• Has made players aware of Clydebank's strengths and says Hibs must "approach the game with the right mentality" as it's a "cup final" for the opposition.

• Hasn't shared any of his memories of the Scottish Cup win in 2016, because he doesn't want to make it about him. Winning a cup is a key objective for the club at the start of every season.

• Gray says he will make changes to promote freshness, but he is keen to build on current momentum and will still select a "really strong side".

• Expects Clydebank to approach the game with confidence given their unbeaten record in the West of Scotland League Premier Division.

• Nicky Cadden will miss the game with a broken nose, but Kieron Bowie and Mykola Kuharevich are available.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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For some, barring an upset of historical proportions, progress to the Scottish Cup fourth round is just all about a big pay day and the romance of the cup.

In a previous incarnation, Clydebank were a top-flight club, but only now is the new one beginning to emerge from the Airdrie United takeover that led to their demise 22 years ago and they currently lead the West of Scotland Premier League.

Darvel made the sixth tier famous with their cup upset over Aberdeen a couple of years ago and Gordon Moffat's Bankies might have seen a glimmer of hope when the draw was made with Hibs in the Premiership relegation zone.

However, David Gray's side have since gone seven games unbeaten, winning five of them, to move up into the Premiership's top six, while this will be Clydebank's first competitive game since a 1-1 draw away to Glenafton Athletic on 14 December.

Little chance then of a repeat of Hibs' last meeting with the old Clydebank, when it finished 1-1 at Easter Road before the Leith side won 3-0 in the replay to progress 25 years ago.

Read Scottish Cup preview in full.

Hibernian have matched Djurgarden's £720,000 offer for 17-year-old KuPS midfielder Matias Siltanen. (Fotboll Direkt), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Goalkeeper Andy Leishman is hoping to make his mark in Edinburgh again when Clydebank travel to Hibernian.

The 35-year-old almost helped pull off a shock in 2012 with Auchinleck Talbot before they went down to a 1-0 defeat against Hearts.

"It's three times I've played against Hearts and now we're playing the other side of Edinburgh, so hopefully it's fourth time lucky," he said.

"As long as we try our hardest and give a good account of ourselves, the day will take care of itself."

More than 2,200 fans will travel to the capital to support the West of Scotland Premier Division leaders.

"It's great for the club because they've not experienced this in a long time," Leishman added.

"Hibs are absolutely flying so we've just got to go out there and enjoy the day and see what happens from there."

Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibernian and Rangers are eyeing moves for Luton Town midfielder Allan Campbell, with the 26-year-old interested in a return to his homeland after being sent on loan to Charlton Athletic. (Football Insider), external

Cracovia midfielder Jani Atanasov, a 25-year-old North Macedonia international, is one of several potential signing targets being considered by Hibernian this month. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Hibs striker Josh Landers, who turns 18 next month, has been given permission to travel south for a trial period with West Ham United. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

There is a spring in everyone's step these days down at Easter Road. And rightly so.

After turning around a league campaign that looked destined to be a relegation battle, now all the talk is of looking upwards and chasing fifth, fourth or perhaps even third place.

And after exiting the League Cup early on there should now be a determination to ensure there is a lengthy run in the Scottish Cup.

Of course you need a bit of good fortune with the draw and a home game against Clydebank is probably one of those ties supporters would wish for.

Older readers will remember 'The Bankies' of the 1970s, with the likes of Davie Cooper performing his wizardry on the wing.

Although they have had various reincarnations over the years, the club have recently been performing well in the West of Scotland league and remain unbeaten in their 10 matches played.

Nevertheless this should be a game Hibernian win with some ease and give the home fans a belief another Scottish Cup success can be achieved this season.

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Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

While it wasn't the edge-of-your-seat entertainment that Hibs and Rangers served up last weekend at Easter Road, the Hibees' 3-1 win over Motherwell had more than enough about it to leave the home fans buzzing as they headed out into the cold Leith night.

A quick-fire double in the first half from Martin Boyle and Nectar Triantis put Hibs out of reach of a very lethargic Motherwell, and despite the visitors clawing a second half goal back, Hibs never looked likely to take anything other than three points from the match.

This was as competent and comfortable a win as you'll see in the top flight outside of Rangers and Celtic. Hibs are a side brimming with confidence and despite lining up without key players like Elie Youan, Joe Newell, Marvin Ekpiteta, Mykola Kuharevich, and Keiran Bowie, Hibs still had more than enough to keep Motherwell at bay.

It's testament to the work that David Gray has done with the side that a team that had looked like real relegation contenders are now looking up the table and thinking about whether a European spot is out of the question.

Nobody is getting carried away, though. We only have to look at Aberdeen to see how badly the wheels can come off and so for now, we are all just hoping that this great run carries on for a bit longer, starting with Clydebank in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Matty Fairnie can be found at the Longbangers Podcast, external