Hibernian

Image source, Getty Images

David Gray has backed Kieron Bowie to add a "different dimension" to the Hibs attack after securing the versatile forward on a four-year deal.

Hibs have paid Fulham a "significant fee" to sign 21-year-old Bowie, who joined the London club from Raith Rovers four years ago.

The Scotland Under-21 international departs having not made a first-team appearance for Fulham, but netted 14 times in 85 games on loan at Northampton in the last two seasons.

"Kieron is an exciting Scottish talent, and we’re thrilled to bring him to the club," said head coach Gray.

"He can play anywhere across the front three and his pace and power will give us an extra dimension going forward. He has all the attributes to be a success in this league.

"Players of Kieron’s ability and potential are always in high demand, so to sign of player of his calibre shows the ambition that we’ve got here."

Image source, SNS

• Hibs have won just one of their last 21 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D7 L13), a 4-2 league win in May 2023.

• Since the Scottish Premiership began in 2013, Celtic have won just four of their 15 away league games at Hibs (D8 L3), a win rate of 27% - their lowest away from home against any league opponent in this period.

• After losing 3-2 to St Mirren last season, Hibs could suffer defeats in their first home league match of successive top-flight seasons for the first time since 2010-11/2011-12 – with Celtic their opponent in the second such match on that occasion (lost 2-0).

• As well as having 32 shots and 13 shots on target in their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock on matchday one, Celtic enjoyed 82.1% possession. It was the most by a team in a Scottish Premiership match since Celtic had 82.2% against St Mirren in March 2023.

• Since the start of the 2022-23 Premiership season, Celtic’s Matt O’Riley has 26 assists in the competition, seven more than any other player. O’Riley has registered at least one assist against 11 of the 12 sides he has faced in the league; the only side he hasn’t is Hibs in eight games.

Hibernian head coach David Gray says the tie-in with billionaire investor Bill Foley’s Bournemouth will bear more fruit as the summer window approaches the 30 August deadline.

Meanwhile, a deal to bring 21-year-old Fulham forward Kieron Bowie to Easter Road on a four-year contract is being finalised and Gray reiterated his admiration for Luke McCowan but would not be drawn on any further move for the 26-year-old Dundee midfielder. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Heart of Midlothian did not submit an offer for Fulham forward Kieron Bowie, who is close to joining Hibs, despite being made aware of the 21-year-old’s availability. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Emiliano Marcondes, the 29-year-old midfielder who has been released by Bournemouth, says he is keeping his options open on what comes next after his loan stint with Hibernian but hinted at a move to somewhere warmer. (Ealing Road podcast), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The dismal 3-0 defeat at St Mirren on Sunday was the worst possible start for David Gray in his rookie season as manager.

It was also an early reminder that whatever his legendary status at the club, when you become the boss the buck stops with you.

What may be more concerning for Gray is the way the team failed to respond in the second half when Saints took control. He called the display "unacceptable" and he is right.

The time has come for players to show their worth and there is no one better than Gray to tell them what is required to be part of a successful Hibs team.

He certainly deserves his chance and also a helping hand in terms of recruitment. This has been a problem for all managers at the club over the past few seasons and requires to be addressed.

This weekend Hibs take on champions Celtic, who have started the season on fire in both friendlies and competitive action.

Brendan Rogers' side scored four against DC United, Chelsea and Manchester City during their trip to America and repeated the feat against Kilmarnock last weekend.

Few will give Hibs a chance on Sunday and this result will not define the season for the club.

However, the fans deserve a lot more fight than Hibs showed in Paisley and if they at least do that then the team will be able to move forward with some sense of optimism.

New arrivals Junior Hoilett and Nicky Cadden have been described as deals that will "alleviate some of the fears" of Hibs supporters.

The pair became the Edinburgh club's sixth and seventh summer signings on Tuesday.

Cadden joins his twin brother at the club after a two-year spell at English League One side Barnsley, while Hoilett arrived at Easter Road following a short stint with Aberdeen - scoring two and assisting nine in 15 appearances with the Dons.

Mark Atkinson, sports editor of The Scotsman, told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast that Cadden and Hoilett are "important signings for Hibs, given they desperately need additions to that squad".

He added: "They're both experienced players; Cadden is 27, Hoilett is 34.

"Both have played in British football and Scottish football. They’re the profile that Hibs require, they're going down a different route in terms of their transfers this year, making sure that they sign players that are not deemed such a risk in this league.

"Hibs also have an issue on the left-hand side. Jordan Obita is the only senior left-back at the club. They've had to rely on Rudi Molotnikov, an 18-year-old who's played well on the left wing, but is naturally a central midfielder or attacking midfielder.

"Hoilett and Cadden both play on the left. Hoilett's very much an out-and-out forward player. Cadden can play at left-back or further up the pitch. They're addressing a problem area of the team."

Rookie boss David Gray has had a hectic summer bringing in new recruits, which includes two goalkeepers and welcoming back Mykola Kuharevich on loan, but Hibs fans remain restless following Sunday's dismal opening-day defeat to St Mirren.

"It's no surprise to see a reaction from Hibs given the horrendous start to the Premiership campaign," Atkinson said. "It wasn't just the result, it was also the performance that was very underwhelming.

"A lot of Hibs fans are concerned about the direction of the club right now and are concerned about the strength of the squad, so those two players will definitely help alleviate some of those fears."

You can listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast here.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Any lingering whiffs of pre-season optimism evaporated into the Paisley air as Hibs’ league campaign got off to a disastrous start, prompting angry reactions for fans who have their ire directed firmly in the direction of CEO, Ben Kensell, and majority shareholder, Ian Gordon, for a perceived failure to back David Gray in the summer window.

Hibs lined up with three summer signings in the starting eleven, with Mykola Kuharevych taking a place on the bench having arrived from Swansea on Saturday on a season-long loan.

Despite the changes, it was a familiar tale for the Hibs support as we watched the team pass up a glorious first half chance when Dylan Vente contrived to miss from the goal-line, before witnessing a second half collapse that was as bad as any performance we witnessed last season under either of the much-maligned former head coaches, Lee Johnson and Nick Montgomery.

Ben Kensell’s “trust the process” line from his Linkedin post sharing the news of Kuharevych’s signing was quickly thrown up across social media as fans expressed their anger, having watched a performance that showed little, if any, improvement on last season’s dismal showings. Quite what the process being trusted is, remains to be seen.

For David Gray, he will have to regroup and he has his work cut out to ensure that this result – along with the Kelty Hearts fiasco in the Premier Sports Cup – become mis-steps rather than the norm for the season ahead.

Fortunately, it’s only Celtic – twice – up next for Hibs.

Matty Fairnie can be found on the Longbangers podcast

Hibernian are close to signing Scotland Under-21 winger Kieron Bowie, 21 after tabling a six-figure offer. (Record), external

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joe Hodge is in talks with League One side Huddersfield Town about a potential loan move, but Hibs are also interested in the 21-year-old Republic of Ireland player. (Express and Star), external

Hibs betrayed manager David Gray's "fundamentals" in the weekend loss to St Mirren, admits captain Joe Newell. (Record), external

And Newell urges the Easter Road side not to panic after going down 3-0 in Paisley. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Meanwhile, Hibs have had a bid for Dundee winger Luke McCowan turned down. (Football Scotland), external

Dundee will not be drawn on whether there have been bids for McCowan, 26. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Junior Hoilett has revealed he was sold on a move to Hibernian after hearing what the Edinburgh club "wanted to achieve this season".

The 34-year-old winger becomes new Hibs boss David Gray's sixth summer signing following his recent exit from Aberdeen.

"I'm delighted. I can't wait to get started, meet the group, get familiar with the group and meet the fans as well," Hoilett told Hibs TV after signing a one-year deal. "It's a great city here and a big club.

"What [David Gray] wanted to achieve was something that I wanted to be a part of and I just can't wait to get the ball rolling and get back out there.

"They gave me their ideas, what they want to move and achieve this season, and I like the plan going forward. I felt like I was wanted by the staff here and I'm delighted to finally get the deal done."

The Canada international is well-travelled, making over 500 career appearances during spells in England, Germany, Canada and Scotland.

"When you play in different leagues and play with different players in different environments, it moulds you as a player.

"But not only as player, as a person you get to experience things on and off the field that help you going forward."

On his short stint at Pittodrie last season, Hoilett said: "It was good. I enjoyed my time up there and it was good to get a taste of Scottish football. The fans are passionate and it's a religion here, I enjoyed every part of it.

"I can't wait to meet the [Hibs] fans of course," Hoilett added. "I want to help the team progress and achieve our goals this season.

"I can't wait to meet the players and help the players on and off the field to get better and improve every day.

"Of course, the fans here at a big club, I can't wait to put on a jersey and play in front of them at Easter Road."

Image source, SNS

Hibernian have signed Canada international Junior Hoilett on a one-year-deal following his exit from Aberdeen.

The 34-year-old, who has amassed over 500 career appearances, has "been on Hibs' radar", says head coach, David Gray, following his short stint in the north-east in the second part of last season.

Hoilett made his Dons debut against Hibs in a 2-2 draw in February, and went on to make 15 appearances for the club, scoring two goals and providing nine assists in the process.

Before moving north of the border, Hoilett enjoyed spells in the English Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, QPR and Cardiff City.

Gray is hopeful such experiences will enhance his dressing room, adding: "Throughout his career he’s played at a very high level and adapted well to Scottish football last season. He adds extra options and quality to the final third, alongside leadership and experience to the dressing room.

"We look forward to working with him.”

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Hibs are closing in on the signing of Junior Hoilett, with the Canadian winger undergoing a medical with the Easter Road club.

The 34-year-old signed for Premiership side Aberdeen in February, but left Pittodrie at the end of last season having scored two goals and contributed nine assists in 15 appearances.

Hoilett would become Hibs' sixth signing of the summer, following Marvin Ekpiteta, Warren O’Hora, Jordan Smith, Mykola Kuharevich and Josef Bursik.

We asked you for your views on Hibernian's opening day defeat to St Mirren.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Karen: It was a poor performance. I just don’t know how they are going to compete at this level. We need a goalscorer. At this time, we would be lucky not to be in a relegation battle.

Kenny: No midfield, the defence is a shambles and no one to put the ball in the net.

The board, the chairman and investors need to get together. There is just over three weeks left in the transfer window and really we need to bring in players sooner rather than later. Too many players just jogging around with no real work ethic.

Sandy: Of course the season is going to be tough. This Hibs team has had to undergo massive repair work... and its not finished yet. It’ll take until next year when we can unload the deadwood from the wage bill.

Hard work on the training ground still needs done. Yes we lost game one to a Scottish team who are in European football and were at home.

Peter: What fresh lunacy is this? After a purgatorial pre-season we have plunged further into the seventh circle of the Hibernian hellscape. An ominous beginning to the Gray era. Abandon all hope ye who enter here.

Scott: This is a poor squad that will put Gray under pressure. We are up against it from the start. The loss to Kelty was a big warning that the forward areas needed to be addressed as a priority. Up next is Celtic home and away so the team has to give the manager and support a huge reaction and at the very least give us a performance.

Martin: Been saying for long enough, we’re weaker than last season. Transfer window has been poor considering the investment hype. Real quality needed ASAP or we’re facing play-offs.

Matt: That performance had all the hallmarks of a long season ahead for Hibs. Looked like the exact same issues which plagued us last season - creating plenty of chances but unable to finish and leaking soft/sloppy goals in the process.

Colin: With great expectations comes great disappointments! Yet again fail to take our chances then lose a goal and the heads go down. A lot of work to be done.

Image source, SNS

Aiden McGeady believes Bill Foley's recent comments about Hibernian show a "fractious atmosphere" at the club.

Foley's Black Knight consortium invested in the Edinburgh club, and Foley recently told the BBC Hibs would improve if they listened to his people.

Former Hibs winger McGeady called his criticism "damning" on the Scottish Football Podcast and stressed Sunday's defeat to St Mirren will not have aided matters.

"I read that interview from Bill Foley, quite damning in his criticism, but it does show a bit of a fractious atmosphere within the club," he said.

"It's not an ideal start for Dave, and I really hope he does well at Hibs because I've got a lot of time for him and I think he's a really good coach. But I read something as well from Ben Kensell the other day and it was 'trust the process', and I was thinking, 'well, what is the process at Hibs?'.

"I'm unsure of what it is because it's not far off the same team as last season. Season after season it's been fifth, sixth, seventh and that's not good enough for a club like Hibs and the fanbase won't settle for that.

"I hope Dave has the backing of the board to add to the squad because it's kind of almost going in circles at Hibs."

You can listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast here.

Image source, SNS

Hibs "let everyone down" after they started their Premiership campaign with a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to St Mirren, according to club captain Joe Newell.

Three second-half goals - one from Roland Idowu and two in quick succession from All three goals in Paisley came after the break, and Newell says that type of collapse simply cannot happen again.

"The immediate reaction would be anger and disappointment," Newell told Hibs TV, external.

"We worked so hard in pre-season and had a really good feeling coming here. It feels like in a blink of an eye we've chucked the game away. It's a bad start.

"The first half kind of feels irrelevant the way we performed and let ourselves down as a collective in the second half.

"You have to put chances away and defend well, and we didn't do either. They are a good side and there were no surprises. They are strong, they are resolute and they are clinical.

"We've let ourselves down, we've let everyone down. It's the start of a very long season, everyone is more than confident that the club will be going in the right direction.

"There's a lot to learn from today. We have to get away from that because we folded - that really has to change."

Watch the best of the opening-day action from Paisley as St Mirren beat Hibernian. (Available to UK users only)

Hibernian chief executive Ben Kensell has teased more summer transfer business as he urged fans to "trust the process". (Football Scotland), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Hibernian manager David Gray told BBC Scotland: "Patchy at times, to say the least. The performance is irrelevant when you lose the game 3-0. I can't accept that, we can't accept that moving forward.

"In the first half we had enough chances to go in front. We don't take them. It's been a theme for a wee while. The goal we lose starts with three or four mistakes and we can never accept that.

"The second goal is an error. We're punished for it. That's the level you're playing at. It's nowhere near where we need to be.

"The standards have been set from day one. The expectation is there every day. We know in both boxes we weren't good enough again today and that's a concern.

"We can't have six or seven chances to score a goal. We will be looking to bring players in, especially in the forward area."

Not an ideal start to the league season, Hibs fans. What went wrong in Paisley this afternoon?

Was there any cause for optimism? Or are you preparing for another tough season?

Let us know your thoughts., external

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

The first 10 minutes would have encouraged the travelling Hibs fans, but it soon became a story they have seen many times before.

Looking lively through Martin Boyle, 18-year-old Rudi Molotnikov, and the rampaging Lewis Miller, a few missed chances saw the heads go down and the visitors retreated deeper and deeper.

The second St Mirren goal came from a defensive mistake, Marvin Ekpiteta the guilty party, and it became a truly familiar afternoon. The third soon followed and the promising opening stage was a distant memory.

Gray has a lot of credit in the bank. He is a local hero, the man who gave Hibs fans their best day, but if performances don't improve from the Nick Montgomery era, he will see his stock dwindle quickly.