Hibernian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

What a rollercoaster of a campaign. Way back on a cold November night with the clock ticking towards minute 90, the future of David Gray looked bleak.

Trailing Aberdeen on the back of eight games without a win, there were more vultures than seagulls circling Easter Road.

But the unlikely point Hibs salvaged that night sparked an incredible revival.

In the following five months only Celtic were able to get the better of Hibs. Indeed, of their four defeats since that November night, three were away to the champions with the other being a narrow loss at Pittodrie.

While David Gray and his players have deservedly received many plaudits the board and Gordon family also merit an enormous amount of credit for sticking by their man when others may well have wilted.

They have undoubtedly learned from mistakes made over the previous campaigns with a number of poor decisions made.

The challenge for next season is how to cope with maintaining their excellent domestic form and trying to make an imprint on Europe.

The outcome of this Saturday's Scottish Cup final will tell us whether Hibernian will have a crack at the Europa League play-off or have to settle for battling their way to a Conference League spot.

Either way it's sure to be another exciting campaign and one the Hibs faithful can look forward to with hope, expectation and confidence after the way they finished this season.

Hibernian sporting director Malky Mackay says the Scottish Premiership club are open to either taking Nectarios Triantis back on loan or paying a transfer fee but are waiting on Sunderland to decide what they want to do with the 22-year-old midfielder. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Hibs brought the curtain down on a great season with a title-winning victory at Ibrox on Sunday. The women's team lifted the title for the first time in 18 years with the win over Rangers – a fantastic achievement.

Grant Scott's team deserve huge credit for the way that they have come together as a team to defy the odds and win the title.

It was a fitting end to what's ended up a great season for Hibernian. The men's team finished third, well clear of fifth-placed Aberdeen and Dundee United in fourth.

The final league standings are a fair reflection of where the teams should be – Hibs' form since November has been stunning, with St Mirren finishing the season as the only top-flight side to have avoided defeat by Sir David Gray's team.

Easter Road was buzzing on Saturday and we were treated to an entertaining match which saw Hibs come back twice to take a share of the points against Rangers.

Sunshine on Leith played out as the fans acknowledged the players at full-time, although not before the Under-18s had some fun celebrating their own league title win in front of the Rangers support at half-time.

There was controversy and a call for goalline technology (there always is when the Glasgow sides drop points to Hibs) after Rangers thought they'd scored.

TV replays were inconclusive, and as we found out when Celtic complained about a similar decision earlier in the season, Willie Collum has directed his referees to defer to the on-field decision in instances where there's not conclusive proof of the ball crossing the line.

Rangers' frustrations were no doubt heightened by the fact Hibs' first equaliser was scored less than 30 seconds later. Had the VAR looked back at Rangers' 'goal', there's every chance Nicolas Raskin's two-handed shove on Rocky Bushiri would have been enough to disallow it in any case.

I'm sad to see the back of this season, which couldn't come quickly enough back in October/November when we looked odds on to be pulled into a relegation fight.

It's a huge credit to Gray and his team, to Darren McGregor and his staff looking after the youth side, and to Grant Scott and his team on the women's side that Hibernian can look forward to European football now across the club next season.

It's been great fun, highlights being wins over Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen and Dundee United, with some huge season-defining moments that will live long in the memory. Roll on next season!

Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers, external

Image source, SNS

We asked you for you thoughts on Martin Boyle after the Hibs forward signed a one-year contract extension before taking his goals tally for the season to 20 with a header in the final-day draw with Rangers.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Alan: Total no-brainer. Since the November turnaround, Boyle been fantastic and scored pivotal goals to ensure third spot. The thought of Kieron Bowie and Boyle on form is a joy to think of. And then there is the returning Dylan Vente to ponder. With extended European games we need this quality... now get Rocky Bushiri to stay as well!

David: Martin Boyle - Hibs legend. Most iconic Hibee in the 21st century!

Philip: No team can achieve much without a player like Martin. He's not so fast over distance but he's replacing that with short bursts of movement that his team-mates understand but nobody else does. I can see him ageing into a supersub, a bit like we've had from Dwight Gayle. These guys are so important. They turn draws into wins.

Michael: An absolute no-brainer extending Squirrel's contract. He has been an outstanding servant to our great club and he will be mightily relieved at this outcome as well! What a great time to be a Hibby!

Matt: Easiest decision to make this season - he's quality and still so dangerous. He'll be fired up next season for European football as well as keeping himself firmly in the Australia World Cup squad, so there's plenty more to come from Martin Boyle in a Hibs shirt. Now, get Rocky signed.

Kev: A no-brainer, one of the best forward in the league. I'm sure he'll deliver even more next season in Scotland and in Europe.

Image source, SNS

Head coach Steve Clarke says he has "always had an eye on" Kieron Bowie after handing the Hibernian striker his first Scotland call-up.

The 22-year-old forward has six goals in 22 appearances in all competitions for the Easter Road club this season after battling back from a hamstring injury he picked up on Under-21 duty.

"He's had a good season, Kieron is one I've always had my eye on from the Under-21s," Clarke said after naming his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein.

"Any time I watched the Under-21s he always stood out. He's big, physical and strong with good attributes to his game.

"Going into the summer, you've got Lawrence Shankland and Kevin Nisbet, I know what they can bring, so it was just to have a look at something a little bit different and see if we can expand the pool of players.

"I keep talking about trying to get an overall bigger pool of players that we can select from and these games are a chance to look at one or two.

"You're looking for somebody to catch your eye. You want competition between them.

"That's why sometimes when you bring in some of the younger boys, the older boys are suddenly looking over their shoulder and thinking, 'aye, aye, he's thinking of something different'. It keeps them on their toes as well."

Image source, SNS

Striker Kieron Bowie has received his first Scotland call-up after a stellar second half of the season for Hibernian.

Bowie, 22, is one of seven uncapped players in Steve Clarke's squad for friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein in June.

The former Raith Rovers and Fulham forward grabbed six goals in 15 Scottish Premiership appearances after recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained while away with Scotland Under-21s in September.

He has 10 U21 caps but will be in the hunt for his first full international appearance when Iceland visit Hampden on Friday, 6 June.

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss the decision to disallow Rangers a second goal in the first half of their 2-2 draw at Hibernian.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hibernian ended a stellar season with a four-goal thriller against Rangers at Easter Road and three of David Gray's men have made my team of the week.

Jordan Smith: Seven saves kept his side in it against Barry Ferguson's side.

Nicky Cadden: A seventh assist of the season for the Hibs wing-back who has been superb for the Easter Road side.

Martin Boyle: A goal to take his tally for the Premiership campaign to 15 and 21 goals for club and country this season.

Watch all the action from Hibernian's 2-2 draw with Rangers in their final Scottish Premiership game.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Outgoing Hibernian striker Dwight Gayle has praised the job of manager David Gray this season.

Gray took over at Easter Road last summer but after a poor run of form towards the start of the campaign, Hibs found themselves at the bottom of the Premiership table.

But a change of formation in October changed the fortunes of the club and Gayle, who is hanging up his boots at the end of this season, insists the manager deserves huge praise for turning the season around.

"Honestly, the pressure that we were under as a team, but the way he was able to conduct himself every day was unbelievable," Gayle said.

"Everything else around him was sort of crumbling but he showed such courage. Every training session was precise and in the direction of the weekend.

"He was able to not even forget about it, but he was able to progress from each defeat and really crack on with the next game.

"It's a testament to himself and his coaching staff because they went on to do so well for us and we're so thankful for what they've been able to achieve. I'm very thankful to be involved in a part of that."

Gayle joined Hibernian last summer after a sterling career south of the border but how has he enjoyed his brief spell in Scottish Football?

"It exceeded my expectations, if I'm completely honest," he added.

"I have such fond memories of some of the games this season and obviously going on the run we have, we created history, so I feel like a lot of the boys in there are going to have such good memories that we look back on and I'm sure we'll meet up in the future."

We asked for your views on Hibs' 2-2 draw against Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Kenny: Touch of the old Hibs again. Tippy tappy stuff and Rocky Bushiri don't mix. We really should have been 2-0 down but for the clowns running VAR. we need to learn that we can't keep giving away cheap goals. Apart from that we had some good spells with two well taken goals. All in all a vey good season.

John: Hibs played well and used the wing-backs very well. We clearly should have been two down but these things level themselves out over a season. Great to see the ground nearly full. Hopefully we can get Nectar Triantis signed for a three-year deal.

George: Great season after a flaky start. Squad looking strong and settled, with Junior Hoilett hopefully staying and Triantis looking outside our price bracket while likely not required by Sunderland, a couple of signings needed (one forward, one midfielder) plus a keeper and we could do well in Europa League or Conference League, whichever. But good end to the season - enjoy Sunshine on Leith!

Chris: Amazing season, we were never playing badly, we just had a run of silly mistakes that cost us a goal every time, once that stopped and the belief and trust in David Gray and his assistants kicked in, we showed the true Hibernian, can't wait for the next season, can we take second?

Derek: Hibs deserved a bit of luck going their way, they have been on the receiving end to many times. Great game of football today from both teams .

Sandy: It's the fight in Hibernian that is footballing class, twice a goal behind, and twice bringing it back to level with Rangers who turned up to play. The talent that is Dwight Gayle laying on a world class pass to Martin Boyle and it just got away from him. Pure magic. Hibs came back from bottom place and a bad start to the season, to finish third in the league. Now that's a football team worth supporting. What a ride.

Image source, SNS

• Rangers are undefeated in their last six games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 29 December 2024 to 16 February 2025, a run of nine games.

• Hibernian have failed to win in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 29 September 2024 to 26 November 2024, a run of nine games.

• Cyriel Dessers has scored in each of his last five games in the Premiership (six goals), his longest scoring streak in the competition.

• Nicky Cadden has assisted seven goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Hibernian player.

Image source, Getty Images

We already know Celtic will be in the Champions League play-off round.

And that Rangers will start in the second qualifying stage.

Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen will all be in Europe, too, but the outcome of Saturday's Scottish Cup final will decide who enters which competition and when.

If Celtic win the Scottish Cup...

Hibs will be in the Europa League play-off round. Win that, and they will be in the competition proper. Lose, and it will be the Conference League until Christmas.

Either way, good games and good money.

United will enter the Europa League at the second qualifying round, with the second chance of Conference League preliminaries.

And Aberdeen will enter the Conference League at the second qualifying round.

If Aberdeen win the Scottish Cup...

They will be the ones who will be guaranteed continental combat until December.

Hibs would go into the Europa second qualifying round, with the safety net of a second shot in the Conference preliminaries. But no assured league stage football.

And Dundee United would enter the Conference League second qualifying round.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian and Rangers played out a thrilling four-goal draw amid controversial scenes on the final day of the Scottish Premiership top six.

Barry Ferguson's side twice took the lead, thanks to goals from Cyriel Dessers and Nicolas Raskin, but on both occasions they were pegged back - initially in very controversial circumstances.

Kieran Bowie got Hibs' first equaliser, moments after Raskin thought he had scored before Rocky Bushiri cleared.

Did the ball cross the line? Referee Nick Walsh and VAR Andrew Dallas thought not, and could not find a camera angle that proved it either way.

Martin Boyle scored the second leveller, connecting with a Nicky Cadden cross for his 20th goal this season in all competitions - a fine way to celebrate his new deal.

What did you make of that, Hibs fans? A worthy point? Did it sum up the season quite nicely?

How do you reflect on the season? Let us know your thoughts.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

In a match which mattered not, Hibs' summed up their season rather quaintly. Start dreadfully, slowly grow into it, and finish by thinking of what could have been.

The first Rangers goal came from comical play at the back, with keeper Smith chipping the ball onto the head of Raskin, who played in Dessers to score.

This was the Hibs' of September, October and November. Fragile, a little all over the place.

Rangers' really should have been 2-0 up, but instead it was Hibs who made the chances count.

Bowie took his opportunity, tapping in a Boyle cut back, while the second goal exhibited Nicky Cadden's deadly delivery. At the other, Smith produced seven saves to continue his role as unheralded hero.

The fightback in the game against at times a rampant, flowing Rangers, epitomised the unbelievable journey they've been on.

At the heart of it, David Gray - a man who knows the meaning of the word perseverance. His head was on the chopping block on a couple of occasions, but each time he escaped.

As for next season, only a fool would predict what type of campaign Hibs will have. Just keep an eye on the ride.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "We gave away a bad goal and put ourselves 1-0 down very early on. It was never going to be a nothing game, there's always a wee edge to these games.

"It was a bit frantic, both teams were desperate to win. We didn't want to just fade away, it was full commitment from both sets of players. There was everything in the game.

"It was probably fitting, the way our season has gone. To not lose is another positive, the players could enjoy 'Sunshine on Leith' again, fully deserved for their efforts.

[On the not-given Rangers goal] "It's always going to be one of these ones. Until you can categorically prove whether it's over or not, it's a very difficult one to give. It's harder when the ball is in the air as well.

"I understand why the frustration is there. We've benefitted a couple of times this season but it balances itself out. I've not complained about decisions, and I'm not going to do that on the last day of the season.

[On his season] "I think of the last three years, the experiences I've gained in such a short period of time, constant change. I'm the one that has benefitted most.

"I've learned a lot about myself, about my players and staff. To come through that took a lot of perseverance and belief that we would turn it round. I got that from the players.

"They bought in, demonstrated why it would turn. The players' achievement is incredible, the league doesn't lie at this stage of the season. I can't speak highly enough of the players. To end it the way we did takes some character."

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Jordan Smith. An under-rated goalkeeper in this league, the 30-year-old produced seven stops to deny Rangers.

Without him, the visitors might have run away with this game but - perhaps spurred on by his early mistake - he denied Cyriel Dessers and Danilo a few times.

Sunderland midfielder Nectar Triantis, currently on loan to Hibernian, is not a transfer target for Portsmouth despite stories linking them with the 22-year-old Australian. (The News), external

Hibernian striker Dwight Gayle insists he is sticking to his decision to retire after Saturday's Scottish Premiership curtain call against Rangers at Easter Road and the 35-year-old plans to become an agent and spend more time with his family. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Hibs pair Joe Newell and Rudi Molotnikov (both groin) are still out while head coach David Gray reported that a couple of others are doubtful with "bumps and bruises".

Barry Ferguson will assess his Rangers squad but Ianis Hagi, Ridvan Yilmaz and Dujon Sterling remain out.

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"Outstanding servant" Martin Boyle is staying at Hibs for next season after the club triggered the one-year extension clause in his deal.

The Australia forward had attracted interest from abroad amid his most productive campaign for the club, registering 19 goals and 10 assists across all competitions as David Gray's side clinched a third-place Premiership finish.

But with European group-stage football secured, Boyle will extend his Hibs career into a 12th season, having made 361 appearances and scored 98 goals across two spells.

"We're delighted to extend Martin's contract, and this decision makes complete sense for the football club," said head coach Gray.

"Boyler has been an outstanding servant to Hibernian and his contribution on the field has been demonstrated yet again this season with his invaluable goals and assists.

"Not only that, he has also stepped into the role of captain in Joe Newell's absence and has demonstrated his leadership qualities with extra responsibility.

"Having played with him and coached him, he is the type of player that knows exactly what it means to play for Hibernian FC, and he will be a real asset for us next year."

Hibs fans, is keeping hold of Boyle a real statement of intent by the club as they look to build on an impressive season?

Let us know your thoughts.

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Hibs head coach David Gray says beating Rangers on Saturday for a ninth successive home win would be a fitting end to a magnificent season.

Gray's side overcame a difficult first half of the campaign to soar up the Premiership table and guaranteed a third-place finish with their draw at St Mirren on Wednesday.

With a match in front of their own fans to end the season, Gray has called for his players to sign off with victory.

"That's the challenge to the players - can you finish the season in style?" Gray said.

"We've clearly achieved everything we've set out to do in the league campaign, but we want to finish the season with a win at home.

"Really difficult game, they always are, but a really good game to look forward to and I'm sure the atmosphere will be good as well."

Gray played down the notion of this game being a dead rubber, with Rangers long since out of the title race and Hibs secure in third place.

"There's no such thing as a nothing game," he said. "Rangers will be coming to try to win and these games are always feisty.

"We want to win again against them. The way the season has went and all the accolades the players are getting, you want to finish it as well as you can."