Hibernian

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Hibs head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Celtic in the League Cup this weekend.

Here are the main points from the press conference:

• On the loan signing of Celtic's Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Gray notes how impressive he was at St Mirren last season and that he "got a lot of good references" for the midfielder.

• On a poor start to the season, the boss says the players are getting stronger every day and there is still responsibility and an emphasis on making sure they improve.

• Gray insists Dylan Vente still a Hibs player despite the striker having reportedly travelled to the Netherlands to complete a move to PEC Zwolle.

• On Elie Youan's future, Gray says speculation has been there for a "long time" but right now his full focus is on getting back fit. The French forward is back training on the grass and the club are happy with his progress.

• New signing Junior Hoilett is still not ready to feature but is also improving day by day and is back on the grass.

• Gray says Hibs can benefit from playing Celtic twice in a row as the disappointment of last week's defeat is fresh in the players' minds. They know exactly what they're facing but admits that doesn't make the test any easier.

• On his aims for the season as a whole, he stresses the need to improve on last term and "be miles better".

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Everyone at Hibs will be disappointed with the club's start to the new Premiership season. Two defeats from two, five goals conceded, zero scored.

But patience and a sense of realism is also required as this season in particular there is likely to be a major overhaul of players.

With a bloated squad inherited from the last managerial team, David Gray has a very difficult job of keeping players happy when he and they know they are likely to move on.

He is also tasked with integrating freshness into a squad that is currently low in confidence.

Things don't get any easier for Gray as this weekend it's a trip to Glasgow to face in-form Celtic in the League Cup last 16.

At Easter Road last Sunday the game was won in the opening 20 minutes and if anything was learned from that defeat its surely not to gift anything to Brendan Rodgers' side as they have a ruthless streak about them just now.

The squad Gray is assembling will take time to gel and it will be up to key players like Joe Newell and new centre-back Warren O’Hora to try and bring stability on the pitch.

Hibernian forward Dylan Vente is expected to join Dutch side PEC Zwolle. (Soccernews, in Dutch), external

Chris Cadden believes Hibs will improve as new signings get integrated into the team. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Warren O'Hora admits he and his fellow new Hibernian recruits will need to adapt to the Scottish game quickly after an "eye-opening" encounter with Celtic on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers champions had 19 shots on target in their 2-0 win at Easter Road, and the sides will meet again this weekend in the Premier Sports Cup.

The defender hopes to cope with the "speed and physicality" of the game better at Celtic Park.

“That’s why I’ve come to this club and that’s why I’ve come to this league," the former MK-Dons centre-half said. "I want to play the best in this league, I want to play the best in this country, and I want this club to be up there with teams like that and that’s what we’re excelling to be.

“Yeah, look, it’s an eye opener, but I felt like we did well enough in the second half to maybe nick a goal and maybe nick something out of the game.

“The speed, the physicality is definitely different and something that we have to get up to, and me personally, I have to get up to.

“It’s a process. It’s all new. We are a new enough squad, we have brought in some boys.

“The gaffer has been brilliant with me personally, he’s been brilliant with all the new boys, no doubt about it, and in training he’s working hard with us."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Games against Celtic seem to get more difficult with each passing season.

It’s not hard to see why with the financial gulf between Celtic and every other team in the league is widening year on year, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Celtic eased to victory at Easter Road on Sunday.

We didn’t make life easy for ourselves though, conceding a goal within three minutes from a simple ball over the top which let Kyogo run through, and although his shot was well saved by Bursik in the Hibs goal, Lewis Miller failed to match James Forrest’s determination to get to the rebound, and he squared it to Nicolas Kuhn, who himself showed more desire to reach the ball than the pursuing Jordan Obita to open the scoring.

As if one shot to the foot wasn’t enough, Hibs completed the job when Marvin Ekpiteta’s sloppy pass back to Bursik saw the 'keeper give away possession, and with four Hibs players drawn to the ball, Callum McGregor had all the time in the world to fire a shot beyond Bursik to double Celtic’s lead.

At this point it looked like a hammering was on the cards, and we were glad to get to half-time with the scoreline still respectable. We improved in the second half, with Keiron Bowie striking the crossbar on his debut. The new signing looked very promising from the cameo appearance, and David Gray will be hoping to have him at full fitness as soon as possible.

For Hibs, the same problematic midfield that dogged us last season was found wanting again on Sunday. This is an area that needs urgent attention from Malky Mackay if he’s to give Gray any chance of success this season.

Matty Fairnie can be found on the Longbangers podcast, external

Warren O’Hora says Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Celtic was an "eye opener" as he lamented Hibs' start to the game. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Warren O'Hora says Hibs can build on their second-half showing against Celtic, with the Irish defender targeting European football next season.

Hibs were beaten 2-0 by Brendan Rodgers' side at Easter Road on Sunday and were booed off after a woeful opening 45 minutes, but improved somewhat after the break.

Despite that, David Gray's side have lost their opening two Premiership fixtures and things don't get any easier next weekend, as they face Celtic again, this time in the League Cup.

"I thought we were much better in the second half," he said. "In terms of an experience, that's the level we need to get to. The second half was definitely something that we can take positives from.

"I don’t think it's any secret in the dressing room we want to be right up that table and fighting for the European spots and go well in the cup and that starts next week.

"We need to dust ourselves off and get in again and start working towards Sunday.

"We want to win football games and be right up there and the fans expect that as well. It’s such a big club and it’s a club that should be up there.

"That’s the expectation. That’s why myself and other boys have come here. We want to feel that pressure and fight for those places. That’s one of the reasons I came here to feel that pressure and give the fans what they want and we will be working towards that."

Hibs fans, we asked for your views on Sunday's defeat to Celtic.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Danny: Let's be frank, a few Hibs fans would truly have expected a win against a very good Celtic side. But to go down in this manner, with no spark and no fight, is deeply concerning. David Gray was never the man for the job. He won't survive many more performances like that, which will be a sad end to a legend's association with the club.

Dougie: Surely Gray knows what Celtic are about? The first half was comical, some flashes in the second half after Chris Cadden and Kieron Bowie came on. I think Bowie will be a huge player for us but we were lucky to get away with 0-2. We need to drop Josh Campbell and Dylan Levitt, who were chasing shadows all game. Joe Newell is a good player but I think the captaincy is a step too far for him.

Scott: A better second half but probably because Celtic took their foot off the gas. Hibs' midfield were awful and simply could not compete. Poor past recruitment has hampered the squad and quality additions are desperately required over and above the new signings.

Bea: For me it’s the midfield that needs reinforcements now, there is a lack of creativity and strength there which is causing us problems defensively and not contributing nearly enough going forward. Bowie looks like he could be a player for us though.

David: At the moment Hibs are a Championship-quality team in the Premiership. We haven’t addressed the major problems with quality players and it is showing. Jury still out on Gray as he and his staff are the ones that take training and pick the team.

Finn: Signings need to come into the club ASAP. We also need to drop Martin Boyle, Campbell and Levitt if we want to get anything out of Sunday's game as they were all not good enough today.

Craig: Never expect much from these games but you hope the players at least run their guts out. First half was horrid stuff. Very lucky to only be two down. The second half was a slight improvement, the subs made a difference and Bowie was very unlucky with his effort. Once the new players have settled in, I think performances will be better. Persevere, it's what we do.

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Former Hibs midfielder Marvin Bartley has called for David Gray to be given time to settle into his role as Hibs manager after a dreadful start to the league season.

Bartley played alongside Gray during their time at Easter Road and believes he has what it takes to be successful despite two losses against St Mirren and Celtic.

"There's a lot of players that have been brought into the building and he needs them all to gel," Bartley told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"But they've got Celtic away again next Sunday and that's a massive, massive game for them because what they need is a repeat of the second half.

"If Celtic play the way they did in the first half and Hibs do the same, I don't think they'll be as lucky as to get in at half-time with just a two-goal deficit.

"David will be feeling the pressure every single day in management. You can win five games and then lose one and all of sudden somebody's got something to say.

"So it's part and parcel of it and it's something that over time you will learn from."

Watch highlights as Hibs host Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

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A stunning strike from Callum McGregor helped Celtic to a comfortable Scottish Premiership win over Hibernian at Easter Road.

Nicolas Kuhn put the champions in front inside three minutes after home goalkeeper Josef Bursik failed to deal with Kyogo's initial shot.

McGregor - who announced his Scotland retirement earlier this week - then doubled Celtic's advantage with a wonderful left-footed goal from 25 yards in a superb first-half display.

Brendan Rodgers' side could have scored more were it not for the woodwork, but they will be pleased to come away with three points from a venue they have struggled at times under the Northern Irishman.

The hosts were booed off at half-time having not had a shot, and they improved in the second half, with striker Kieron Bowie denied a debut goal by the crossbar.

Despite that effort, Hibernian were never truly in the contest and have now lost two from two in the league under David Gray.

Hibs fans, we want your thoughts on the game. Have your say here, external.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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David Gray spoke after the opening league defeat to St Mirren about how their second half collapse was unacceptable, but they continued in much the same vein.

The home midfield was completely ineffective, with none of Josh Campbell, Joe Newell and Dylan Levitt able to exert any sort of influence.

On the rare occasions Hibs found themselves in possession it was quickly conceded, and Mykola Kuharevich was left to feed off scraps up front.

They failed to have a single shot at goal before the interval and questions remain about what Hibs are attempting to do on the pitch under Gray’s management.

Yes, they improved in the second half, but it would have been nigh on impossible to get worse and Celtic eased off somewhat.

The bright spark was delivered by substitute Kieron Bowie, who shrugged off Cameron Carter-Vickers before bending a shot past Kasper Schmeichel and off the bar from a tight angle.

Gray will hope the Scotland Under-21 striker can provide a focal point in attack in the weeks to come, starting with another meeting against Celtic next Saturday in the League Cup.

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Hibs boss David Gray: "I think it's clear to see, the first-half performance especially, you can't give a team like Celtic a goal head-start after three minutes.

"When you make individual errors and don't show bravery on the ball, it can be a long afternoon. We were probably fortunate to only go into half-time 2-0 down.

"Second half was better, we carried more of a threat and a bit more composure on the ball. Obviously we're really disappointed to lose the game; we need to learn quickly because we've got it all to do again next weekend away from home.

"We've got a bit of short-term pain at the moment but I'm really positive about where we can take the squad.

"While the window's open we always need to be active. Naturally there will be ins and outs."

Relive Celtic and Hibernian's 2-2 draw in 2017.

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Newly-signed Hibernian players Junior Hoilett, Nicky Cadden and Kieron Bowie are all in contention to be in the squad for the first time.

Elie Youan is set to remain sidelined due to a leg knock, while Jake Doyle-Hayes is still building up his fitness following a lengthy lay-off.

Daizen Maeda returns to the Celtic squad following a knee injury.

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Hibs head coach David Gray says it is unlikely all of his new attackers will be ready to start against Celtic on Sunday.

Mykola Kukharevych, Junior Hoilett, Nicky Cadden and Kieron Bowie have all signed deals at Easter Road in the last week, and Gray will manage their minutes as he gets them up to speed in training.

"With the new signings, we'll be assessing them to see where they are and work it out from there," Gray said.

"They're all available but they're all very different in terms of the stages (of fitness) they're at. Nicky hasn't played since the end of last season having been without a club.

"He's been doing work but he’s only just joined the squad recently so it's about assessing him, working out where he's at and seeing how he recovers from training.

"We certainly won't be taking any chances and pushing people too quickly because it's a very long season but at the same time we want to be as competitive as we can be."

Gray was furious with the performance levels in last week's defeat to St Mirren, and challenged his side to respond positively against the champions.

"Regardless of who the next opponent is, we need to see an improvement from last weekend, especially the second-half performance," he said.

"We know we needed to be better and that's been the full focus this week, to make sure we get a reaction. There's no better way to do that than to test ourselves in what should be a great game at Easter Road."

Dundee have rejected a second bid for Luke McCowan from Hibs, with the improved offer still well short of what the Dens Park club are looking for. (Sky Sports), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

Celtic's flag-day performance in sweeping aside Kilmarnock 4-0 was nothing short of imperious.

Much has been made of the lack of new signings to bolster Brendan Rodgers' squad, but they looked to be revitalised by the summer break.

Enjoying 82% possession against a side who, remember, finished fourth last season, they had 32 goal attempts - 13 on target.

It is difficult to see past Celtic being odds-on favourites to retain the league title given Rangers' summer rebuilding.

Hibernian head coach David Gray will understandably view their arrival on Sunday with some trepidation given the start they have made since he was confirmed in post after his caretaker spell last season.

His side scraped through to the League Cup last 16 as group winners, but not without shock defeat away to League 1 part-timers Kelty Hearts.

Hibs thumped 14 goals - and conceded just one - as they showed they retain the attacking threat of last season.

However, a 3-0 loss away to St Mirren in their Premiership opener suggests the defensive Achilles heel is still present despite summer acquisitions.

Add in the fact that Hibs have beaten Celtic just once in 21 meetings and it could be an uncomfortable afternoon for the hosts.

Strangely, though, Celtic have won on just four of their 15 league visits - losing three - since 2013 and that win rate of 27% is their lowest away from home against any Premiership opponent during those 11 years.

Hibs held Celtic to a goalless draw in their first meeting last season at Easter Road and beat them 4-2 there as recently as May 2023.

However, that was the Glasgow side's only defeat in their latest 12 visits to Leith and it would be a major surprise if it was to be an unlucky 13th.

Read all this weekend's Premiership picks

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Mykola Kuharevich insists he is ready to show he is now a better striker than he was in his first Hibs spell.

The 23-year-old Ukrainian returned last weekend on a season-long loan from Swansea after spending most of the 2022-23 campaign at Easter Road on loan from Troyes.

Kuharevich netted five goals for Hibs two seasons ago despite being restricted to just 10 starts and 15 appearances in total due to injury issues.

He then made a permanent move to Swansea but returns to Easter Road after only featuring 13 times for the Welsh club, scoring one goal.

"I think I am much better because I worked so hard last season," he said.

"I didn't play a lot but I worked so hard every day in training to get better and I just want to show it now.

"I want to help the team as much as possible with goals and assists and everything I can do.

"In football, sometimes you play and sometimes you don't play, I just kept going and trying to make myself better every day.

"I have a lot of good memories from being here the first time. Super fans, super games, super atmosphere in the stadium. I enjoyed it here and I want to repeat it again."

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David Gray says Hibs aren’t finished in the transfer market after adding four attacking players in the past week.

Scotland Under-21 forward Kieron Bowie is the latest recruit after the arrival of wingers Junior Hoilett and Nicky Cadden plus loan striker Mykola Kukharevych.

That takes Gray’s summer signing total to eight players, but he wouldn’t be drawn on reports he is pursuing Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan.

"Whilst the window is open we will always try to improve the squad," said the head coach.

"We'll definitely look to do that and hopefully it can happen.

"At the same time, I expect it to go both ways, I expect there to be ins and outs because you can't just keep bringing in players.

"It's good to have competition but also young players need to be playing and you want them to start to go and make careers for themselves if they're not getting enough game time."

Gray says the attacking reinforcements can help his side recover from their chastening loss at St Mirren in the Premiership opener.

"Everyone's been working hard to identify the right types, it's not just a case of bringing in players because we needed forward players," he added.

"It's been a process we've gone through, and I'm delighted with the characters we've got and the quality they will bring in the final third."

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New Hibs forward Kieron Bowie is ready to "batter people about" and says David Gray can help make him the "best player I can be".

The Scotland Under-21 international and former Raith Rovers player has returned north to sign a four-year deal at Easter Road after four years with Fulham.

"I'm adaptable, I can adapt to whatever he [Gray] wants to do and I've got a lot of development to do as well," Bowie told Hibs TV.

"I'm still young, that's something that really excites him and he wanted to improve me as a player and hopefully help me do well at this club.

"That's all I want to hear from a manager, just to help me be the best player I can be and hopefully this is the next step in my career to do that."

Bowie spent the last two seasons on loan at Northampton, scoring 14 goals, but now wants to put down roots in the capital.

"It was the right time for me to move on and move onto that next chapter in my career and come to Hibs, to make somewhere home," he added.

"Scottish football definitely suits my playing style. It's a rough game up here compared to down in England and I’m ready for the challenge. That's part of my game, I like to batter people about and it's exciting especially with bigger defenders.

"I just want to prove myself and show that I'm not going to get bullied by anyone."