Hibernian

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We asked for your views on Ryan Porteous' possible return to Easter Road following reports linking the defender to Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Paul: Hopefully he learned a bit more about defending, a good addition to the squad. Does this mean Rocky Bushiri is on his way out?

Kenny: Step backwards. He's too slow and gives away silly free kicks and penalties. He wouldn't improve the team.

Scott: If Rocky doesn't sign bring him back. Always gave you everything and was good for winding up the opposition. He needs to play to get a sniff of the Scotland squad.

Darren: I'd take Porto back in a heartbeat. That lad has untapped potential.

A wee cuddle from SDG is the perfect medicine to get his Scotland career back on track and become a Hibees legend.

David: The return of development boys to Easter Road has worked well in the past, but I remain unconvinced that Ryan Porteous has requisite maturity yet to consistently be the seasoned pro needed in defence.

Brian: No thank you. He's a bomb scare. Not sure he would be a good influence in the dressing room either, I'm surprised David Gray is looking at him.

Ross: It would be good business for us, it increases the competition, though I feel he is better than what we currently have. Squad depth will be key next season.

John: If he can cut out the rash tackling and play they way we know he can, then yes. If he is still jumping into tackles he can't win, then no. In Gray I trust though.

Darren: I don't want him back at Hibs. He agitated for a move away and in the end I was glad to see him go. He would not fit in with the current ethos at Hibs, he is far too self centred.

Ian: There is a good balance in the team and dressing room at the moment, but feel Porteous might rock the boat a bit, and not in a good way. He left, leave it that way.

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Two-and-a-half years after leaving his boyhood club for the English Championship, could Ryan Porteous return to Hibernian?

Recent reports have suggested that the Easter Road club are plotting a move for their former defender who has fallen out of favour down south.

The Scotland centre-half moved to Watford in January 2023 for a fee worth around £450,000 and made 82 appearances for the Hornets before moving to fellow second-tier side Preston North End for the second half of the season gone by.

Linking up with former Hibee boss, Paul Heckingbottom, the 26-year-old made 11 appearances for The Lilywhites as they secured their Championship status.

But he sat on the bench for their final four games.

The Hibs Academy graduate made the move in the hope it would catch the eye of Scotland head coach Steve Clarke.

He hadn't featured for the national team since being sent off in the Euro 2024 opener against Germany, until he appeared for the final minute in Scotland's 1-0 win away to Greece in March.

With World Cup qualifying kicking off in September, the 13-cap defender will be keen to work his way back into the international set-up after being omitted from the squad for the June friendlies.

Having spent the end of last season on loan, a starting berth at Watford appears unlikely for Porteous, while Hibs may be in the market for a centre-back if a deal cannot be struck with Rocky Bushiri, who is out-of-contract.

Europa League qualifying will come round quickly for the Hibees, and it'd be safe to imagine Porteous would want his future sorted sooner rather than later.

Are the stars aligning for a reunion?

Let us know what you think of the links to Porteous' signature and how you'd feel about a possible return here.

Hibernian are preparing to make an offer for former defender Ryan Porteous, with the 26-year-old facing an uncertain future at Watford. (The Herald, subscription), external

Hibernian remain open to the idea of Ryan Porteous returning to Easter Road but they are not actively pursuing a move for the Scotland defender as negotiations with out-of-contract defender Rocky Bushiri continue. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

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Hibernian duo Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller have helped Australia qualify for a sixth consecutive World Cup finals after a 2-1 win away to Saudi Arabia.

Winger Boyle set up Machida Zelvia forward Mitch Duke for the winning goal at Al Inma Bank Stadium at King Abdullah Sport City.

Meanwhile, Miller played the full 90 minutes in the Socceroos' defence.

Australia finish second in their qualifying group behind Japan, six points clear of their hosts.

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We asked for your favourite Hibs moment of a memorable first season under David Gray.

Here's what some of you said:

Leo: It has to be Rocky Bushiri's last-minute leveller against Aberdeen. It totally turned the season around and saved Gray's job.

Jonathan: I'd love to say Jack Iredale's winner in the derby, but Bushiri's equaliser against Aberdeen back in November totally galvanised the whole club and we didn't really look back. Just a minute earlier Aberdeen had gone 3-2 up in the 95th minute, we were on eight points from 14 games and they were going 26 points ahead of us. To then finish with just one defeat outside of Parkhead for the rest of the season is incredible.

Stewart: Being undefeated against Hearts...

Anon: Has to be the derby win at Tynecastle.

Sandy: The 3-3 against Aberdeen is a good shout, that game said we can do something, but the Boxing Day derby win was my favourite.

A year to the day since David Gray's appointment as Hibernian head coach, the mood around Easter Road is a far happier one.

Having finished ninth the season before under Lee Johnson and then Nick Montgomery's management, expectations were low despite Gray's legendary status as a player.

Gray's only previous managerial experience had been as caretaker and the Scottish Cup-winning legend had to come through a torrid start to the season before he could bask in the adulation of the fanbase once more.

A 17-match unbeaten streak catapulted Gray's side up the table, a run which ultimately fuelled Hibs' third-place finish in the league.

They beat city rivals Hearts at Tynecastle for the first time in five years and won the subsequent derby at home thanks to Jack Iredale's magnificent goal.

A Josh Campbell double secured victory over Celtic at Easter Road in February, while goals from Dylan Levitt and Martin Boyle downed Rangers at Ibrox in April.

What was your favourite moment of such a memorable campaign? Let us know.

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Goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger sees his move to Hibs as a step up in his career and can't wait to play in front of the "amazing" fans at Easter Road.

The 29-year-old Austrian arrives on a three-year deal from Hartberg having spent his entire career in his homeland and Germany.

"I'm very happy. Hibs is a great club with great fans in a great city. I'm very much looking forward to being here and playing successful football," Sallinger told Hibs TV.

"For me it was always a target for me to play outside of Austria. Austria is a good league, but in Germany, Scotland or the UK football is different.

"To be in Scotland and to play in front of a lot of fans was always a target for me.

"I hope I can help the team a lot and I hope that we can reach our targets, and also get into a European group stage. Maybe we can even have a better season than last season.

"I've watched the last two Hibs games and the fans in the crowd are really impressive, especially after the game against Rangers when the fans were singing Sunshine On Leith. It was pretty amazing and pretty impressive to me.

"I'm looking forward to having this feeling on the pitch."

We asked for your views on what Hibs need to do in the transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Maureen: We need a penalty box predator we can rely on to bang in 15-plus goals a season alongside Kieron Bowie. It's what Dylan Vente was meant to be, and Mykola Kuharevich hasn't quite delivered. Where is today's Leigh Griffiths or Derek Riordan? Oh, and pay whatever it takes to keep Rocky Bushiri.

John: An attacking midfielder is required as not enough goals coming from the current players. A striker capable of 12-plus goals per season is also a must. Would be nice to see academy players get an opportunity.

David: Hopefully not too much to simply keep the momentum going. Clearly a keeper to compete with Jordan Smith and fingers crossed we can re-sign Bushiri and Junior Hoilett. The comings and goings of Elie Youan, Vente and Nectarios Triantis will dictate much of our other activity but persuading Triantis to return should be a priority. Otherwise we will need a midfield replacement. Hopefully not the number of player incomings of previous years.

George: With thanks to Smith for last seasons performances, it's a "sorry, but we need an upgrade" because there's too many flaws for him to be our No1. If we don't get Kuharevich back, we need another No.9 to lead the line and take pressure off Bowie. We are well covered in midfield if Newell gets fit and playing, plus Rudi Milotnikov comes in. Defensively, if Bushiri signs, we're fine, otherwise, we need another CB... Porto?

Sandy: To improve you have to spend money, that's a football fact. Whatever it costs we have to shell out for Triantis and wage rises for him, Rocky and Junior - we have to keep these players. Further to that we need to shell out for another centre forward. For funding, sell on Vente and Youan, neither fit this Hibs model. Personally I trust our board to back David Gray.

Kenny: We heed a goalkeeper and a centre-half. I have never been a fan of Big Rocky. He had a great second half of the season but he's suspect on the ball. A strong middle of midfield player and centre forward is a must. Strengthen the spine of the team and we won't be far away.

Kevin: Triantis is a must to get. Keeps the flow of the game going forward where we can hurt teams.

Hibernian, Blackpool and Stockport County are among the clubs interested in taking 19-year-old Manchester United winger Ethan Williams on loan. (Football Insider), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Hibs will host Bolton Wanderers in a pre-season friendly on Saturday 19 July that doubles as Darren McGregor's testimonial match.

Defender McGregor joined Hibs in August 2015 and was an integral part of the Scottish Cup-winning team the following year.

After 188 appearances across his eight-year stint, McGregor retired from playing and was appointed Hibs Under-18s head coach.

The 39-year-old will grace the Easter Road pitch with an outing for David Gray's side in the testimonial (14:00 BST kick-off) against Bolton, who finished eighth in English League One last season.

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There is something rather surreal about looking at a picture of Efe Ambrose attempting to get heavy-handed with a teenage Erling Haaland.

Ambrose, now at English non-league side Workington, and Manchester City's Haaland, arguably the world's top striker, have seen their careers take different paths since they faced off in 2018.

It was the night the Norwegian phenomenon "killed" Hibernian, former manager Neil Lennon recalls.

The Leith side met Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Molde in Europa League qualifying and travelled to Norway with the tie in the balance after a goalless first leg in Edinburgh.

Haaland missed the Easter Road clash because of talks over a £9m move to Red Bull Salzburg, but he started the second leg with his future still in limbo.

The 18-year-old sensation delivered a bullish display against a Hibs defence consisting of Ryan Porteous and the experienced trio of Ambrose, Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson.

Haaland's first goal came from a simple back-post header, before a blistering run in behind - one we've become so accustomed to seeing now - resulted in him turning provider for Fredrik Aursnes. The forward then rounded Adam Bogdan to seal a 3-0 win.

"Yeah, he killed us," Lennon tells BBC Scotland. "We were going well, 0-0 at home, and when he played in the second leg we were like: 'Who's this guy?'.

"He was 18 at the time, and funnily enough straight after he went to Salzburg. I said to Solskjaer: 'Could you not have sold him a couple of days earlier?'. He was amazing."

Lennon took charge at Easter Road in 2016 and led Hibs out of the Championship in his first season - a feat he is now attempting to repeat with Dunfermline after signing a two-year deal to remain at the Pars, whom he joined on a short-term basis in March.

"I had a real happy time at Hibs. It was a fabulous couple of years, I loved it and I get the same feeling here although it's a different challenge because that Hibs team had the nucleus of a really good team," Lennon adds.

"We've got some good players in the building but we need to add a lot more to that, whereas the Hibs team had won the cup so there was still a feelgood effect there around when I came in. And we were more than enough quality to get out of the division once we added a few players to the team already.

"So that was a very happy time and I want to experience that again but you only do that by doing the work in the background and doing the hard yards."

Listen to the full interview with Lennon in a bonus episode of the Scottish Football Podcast

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibernian made 11 signings before the start of last season but preparations for the next campaign should be quieter after David Gray survived a turbulent start to his managerial career to deliver an impressive third-place finish.

Having lost just four of their past 28 games - three of those to champions Celtic - continuity and momentum are sure to be the watchwords, along with progress.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jamie McGrath has already been recruited from Aberdeen, while conversations continue with out-of-contract pair Junior Hoilett and Rocky Bushiri.

Of the departing loan contingent, Hibs would welcome back Nectarios Triantis and Mykola Kuharevich for third spells at Easter Road.

A summer bid for Triantis is a sure thing. The 22-year-old Australian is under contract at Sunderland until 2027 and may not be part of their plans in the Premier League, but his composed performances will not have gone unnoticed by others.

With Dwight Gayle hanging up his boots and uncertainty over the futures of Kuharevich and Hoilett, competition is required for Martin Boyle and Kieron Bowie in attack.

Elie Youan and Dylan Vente remain on the books but for how much longer? Both are entering the final 12 months of their deals and there may be plans to sell to fund new faces. The latter scored 13 goals on loan at PEC Zwolle in his native Netherlands.

In defence, Bushiri has been a revelation as a warrior at the heart of a back three and his powerful displays will make it hard to keep the DR Congo international. If the 25-year-old moves on, Hibs have the experienced Marvin Ekpiteta waiting in the wings, although Gray might want to add to his centre-half options.

Jordan Smith confounded expectation when promoted to the starting XI, having been a back-up goalkeeper for the best part of his career. At least one more goalie will be required though as Josef Bursik and Max Boruc depart.

Hibs are well served in central midfield if captain Joe Newell can get over his groin problems since Dylan Levitt improved immensely in the second half of the season, which meant January signing Alasana Manneh had to be patient.

However, if there is a Triantis-shaped hole in the squad, a top drawer replacement could be the top priority at Easter Road.

Hibs fans, what is your take on the business the club must do? Is there an area of the squad that needs improving? Or maybe holding on to Bushiri and trying to bring Triantis back are the priorities? And what about sales - who needs to go?

Share your views

Hibernian have made an offer for Hull City midfielder Xavier Simons, with the 22-year-old former Chelsea youth having a year to run on his Tigers' deal. (Daily Record), external

Out-of-contract Rocky Bushiri will make a decision on his future when he returns from international duty with DR Congo, with Hibernian having made a significant offer of a new contract but the 25-year-old also having offers from Championship and European mainland clubs. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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Not only did Martin Boyle finish the campaign as Hibernian's top scorer, but he also created more goals and played more minutes than any other team-mate.

Across all competitions, the Australia international netted 20 goals, 15 of which came in the Scottish Premiership.

As well as that, the 32-year-old provided 11 assists, totalling a stellar goals and assists contribution of 31.

The forward racked up that tally while playing 3,248 minutes across 44 games, which is more than any other Hibs player managed in the 2024-25 season.

Sunderland midfielder Nectar Triantis, who has just finished his second loan period at Hibernian, has withdrawn from the Australia squad with his club future uncertain. (The Herald, external - subscription required)

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

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Hibernian manager David Gray insist he does not feel extra pressure in the job despite his iconic status at the club.

Gray led Hibs to just a third top-three finish this century last season, fighting back from a terrible start to the campaign before embarking on a stunning run of form that saw them go from bottom to Europe.

The achievement came nine years after Gray scored the Scottish Cup winner against Rangers when he captained Hibs to their first triumph in the competition in 114 years.

"A lot if people spoke about it when I was appointed," Gray told BBC Scotland.

"I think that was something that, when I applied for the job, it wasn't ever something I thought about personally.

"People always say that when you do this, you might get sacked so what does that do for you at the club and everything you've done for it?

"But I genuinely felt at the time I applied for the job it was about, I believe I'm ready apply for the job officially. If I get it, brilliant, because I felt I could make a difference."

Gray also opened up on the moment he realised his playing days at Easter Road were coming to an end while opening the pathway to management.

"Jack Ross gave me the opportunity when I had at least a year or so left on my playing contract," the 37-year-old added.

"Jack gave me the opportunity to be his first-team coach. Clearly I wasn't going to be playing many games if he's asking me to be on his coaching staff rather than one of his players.

"So I had the decision to make at that time and it was about what do I want to do?

"I felt that if I wanted to play for another couple of years, I'd have to leave Hibs or the opportunity to go in [to coaching] at such a good level and at a club I know the ins and outs of it. I saw that as a brilliant opportunity to get into coaching."

Read more from Gray here and listen to the interview in full on Saturday's Sportsound, BBC Radio Scotland, from 14:00 BST.

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Hibs legend Joelle Murray says it would "leave a massive hole" if Rocky Bushiri and Junior Hoilett leave Easter Road this summer.

The out-of-contract duo are in talks with the club over extending their stay.

"It would be a massive statement," said Murray on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Rocky has been spoken about a lot. He was the main player in that 3-3 draw with Aberdeen that was the turning point in the season. He scored the goal that turned the game on its head.

"From that point on he was absolutely magnificent. He was a top-class player for us.

"I'd imagine Rocky will have a lot of other clubs interested in him because he's a brilliant player but absolutely fantastic person.

"If we can retain Rocky, a key member of this season's success, along with Hoilett who David Gray can't speak highly enough of, it would be huge.

"Gray speaks about the culture and how Hoilett and Dwight Gayle in particular played a massive and significant part in that positive culture.

"If we can retain both, unbelievable. If we can retain at least one then I'd be happy, but if we see both leave, it'll leave a massive hole in that dressing room."

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Hibs are in talks with Rocky Bushiri and Junior Hoilett over new deals as seven players depart Easter Road this summer.

Defender Bushiri was a mainstay in the side that secured a third-place Premiership finish last season and is out of contract along with 34-year-old Canada winger Hoilett, who netted four times in 30 games after his arrival last sumer.

Striker Dwight Gayle, 35, retires from professional football having scored six goals in 29 appearances during his season at Easter Road.

Goalkeeper Max Boruc and midfielder Nohan Kenneh, who spent the final months of last term on loan at Ross County, also exit.

And loanees Nectar Triantis, Mykola Kuharevich, Hyeokkyu Kwon and Josef Bursik return to their parent clubs.

Hibs thanked "all departing players for their hard work and contribution, wishing them all the best for the future".

Top Hibernian transfer target Alex Paulsen, the 22-year-old who has been on loan to Auckland from Bournemouth, has been named the A-League's goalkeeper of the year and also picked up the save of the year award. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Hibs head coach David Gray insists he will not risk upsetting the best squad chemistry he has ever known and new signings will therefore need to have the right personality as well as quality. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

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We asked for your views on whether Jordan Smith should start next season as number one number one at Hibernian.

Here's what some of you said:

Keith: Smith has been excellent for us since he came in but is he the answer? I doubt it. We must look to improve all over the pitch and goalkeeper is one of those positions.

Billy: Jordan deserves to be Hibs' number one keeper next season. He has been exceptional since his introduction to the team, and it's a team game and he's so important to our current team, so whoever we buy will have to be his understudy as for me he's cemented the number one position.

Neil: Smith has done well overall, however he's still got room for improvement. He was at fault for some of the goals conceded and he's had a few shaky moments in games. We need to bring in someone to really challenge him or take his place. Competition for places is healthy.

Donald: Smith has earned the right to be number one, is there nobody at the academy to be an understudy?

Alan: I would get Kevin Dabrowski back from Raith Rovers, he was outstanding for them a season ago, best keeper in Championship by a mile. His face doesn't seem to fit since Barry Robson arrived. Smith has been good but still a bit suspect and not good with his feet.

David: Smith should deservedly retain the number one spot next term. However, he is prone to the odd error and it's clear we need a quality option to challenge for the gloves, especially given the strain that European football can bring. Overall though Smith has been very good since breaking into the side.

Kieron: While Smith was brilliant last season, there are some elements to his game that he needs to improve upon. He's a little hesitant on coming off his line to clear the ball at times which has cost us a few goals. That has been a problem for Hibs for a while, so if we can get someone in who can deal with that, it will be a big plus. As for our third-choice keeper, it will be interesting to see if Hibs bring anyone in or have one of our academy players to fill the spot, we'll have to wait and see.