Hibernian

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David Gray has not been helped by this week's comments from Hibs' billionaire shareholder Bill Foley, according to Daily Record journalist Andy Newport.

Foley, part of the Black Knights consortium and owner of Premier League side Bournemouth, said the Hibs hierarchy haven't been listening to his advice so far, suggesting that Gray would not have been his pick for the top job.

"We saw the statement from Bill Foley, casting a little bit of doubt on the club's choice of manager," Newport said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"You're a couple of games into your managerial career, you're looking to obviously get off to a positive start and to have one of the club's major shareholders suggesting that you probably weren't his top pick for the job - I don't think it will help."

Gray was appointed on a permanent basis in early June after his fourth spell as caretaker manager following the departure of Nick Montgomery.

"It'll be interesting to see how Hibs come through that. There's obviously a wee bit of turmoil this summer. That result [against Kelty Hearts] last week didn't help.

"That's one to watch just because if they don't get a result there then Hibs are back into that cycle of hiring guys and then within a couple of weeks of the season they're under pressure and they're perhaps looking to make a change.

"They had to do that last year with Lee Johnson. Nick Montgomery hasn't lasted long. You look back through Jack Ross, through to Shaun Maloney."

"That's a club that's really crying out for stability and to have a period of calm where a manager can get in, get his feet under the desk, get to know the players, get to know the squad and just take some of the drama away from it.

"There's been far too much of that at Easter Road recently so hopefully David Gray can get things settled down and perhaps win over Bill Foley's trust and maybe make the co-owner think again."

You can listen to the Scottish Football Podcast in full on BBC Sounds or by clicking the link here.

Hibernian's hopes of fetching in excess of £2.5m for forward Elie Youan, with clubs in his homeland and Italy credited with interest, have been put on hold after the 25-year-old picked up an injury against Queen's Park that head coach David Gray expects will keep the Frenchman sidelined for a couple of weeks. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Head coach David Gray has said he is "working extremely hard" to take Hibernian forward after Bill Foley criticised the club's decision making.

Foley, who has a 25% stake in the side, recently suggested that advice from his Black Knight group had not been taken on board.

"If the other ownership group at Hibernian listens to us, they will do better," the Bournemouth owner told BBC Sport.

However, Gray is confident in his ability to lead his side forward and in the process that led to his appointment.

“My job’s all about performance on the football pitch, that’s all I’m interested in at the moment," he told Sky Sports, external in response to Foley's remarks.

“The decisions that go on above my head are for the people that are up there to make these decisions.

“All I know is that I’ve gone through a process the same as everybody else and the powers that be at the football club decided I was the right man to take it forward.

“I’m delighted to be in the position to do that and I’m working extremely hard to make sure that I do that.”

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Hibernian lost 3-2 at home to Watford in Wednesday's pre-season friendly.

Josh Campbell put Hibs in front but Watford levelled through Imran Louza before former Celtic forward Rocco Vata put the visitors in front.

Substitute Harry McKirdy got the hosts' second only for Amin Nabizada to net Watford's winner.

Hibs head coach David Gray replaced most of his team at half-time and all players had been replaced by full-time. Gray's side host Peterhead in Saturday's final Scottish League Cup Group C game.

Former Hibs defender Ryan Porteous featured for the visitors.

Image source, Hibernian FC

Inspired by a '90s classic, Hibernian's third kit takes supporters a trip down memory lane.

Designed in collaboration with Joma, the purple and green striped shirt is a nod to the strip worn by the side between 1994 and 1996.

In their reveal statement, Hibs say the kit is an instant "modern classic".

The team will wear the strip for the first time in Wednesday's friendly with Watford at Easter Road.

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The draw for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup will take place on Sunday.

It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports following their coverage of Motherwell v Partick Thistle at Fir Park, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The top-flight's five European representatives - holders Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren - will enter the draw and will also be seeded, along with the three best group winners.

All last-16 ties are scheduled to played on the weekend of 17/18 August.

Myziane Maolida, the 25-year-old forward who impressed on loan to Hibernian last season, has undergone a medical with Saudi Premier League club Al Kholood after being released by Hertha Berlin. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Hibernian head coach David Gray bemoaned problems at both ends of the park following the shock 1-0 loss to Kelty Hearts in the Scottish League Cup. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Attacking signings are now Hibernian's priority after strengthening their defence. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Martin Boyle, 31, encourages Hibs team-mate Rudi Molotnikov, 18, to keep taking risks, even if it means making some mistakes. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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David Gray is taking "no risks" with Chris Cadden and Elie Youan, after the pair suffered knocks in Hibernian's first two League Cup games.

Cadden came off in the first game against Elgin City with a thigh problem, while Youan took a hit against Queen's Park.

"It's a bit disappointing for Cadds, he got sent for a scan, he's got a little niggle in there, so he'll be another week or so," Gray said before Hibs' trip to Kelty Hearts.

"At this stage of the season I'm not going to take any risks and Elie [Youan] is a similar one. We need to assess that further."

On a positive note, though, Gray offered optimism on Harry McKirdy's return saying, "McKirdy has trained the last couple of days, he's looking really good.

"We've managed him through the last 10 days due to his loading but he's been bright and positive so he 'll be in the squad which is great.

"We're in a good place, but the focus now changes to a completely different challenge up at Kelty."

Hibs sit top of Group C with six points before their first ever game against Kelty.

"The boys have been nice and bright," Gray added. "Your legs always feel a little bit better off the back of a positive result, especially for the boys who got their first 90 minutes.

"It'll be my first time there too, it'll be a difficult challenge and all the pressure will be on us.

"These ties have the potential to be very tricky, so we have to make sure we do everything properly, like we have done in the last two competitive games."

Hibernian are monitoring the availability of Fulham and Scotland Under-21 forward Kieron Bowie, who could move north on loan, but the Scottish Premiership club have several other potential targets. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Jordan Smith will provide "healthy competition" in the goalkeeping department, according to David Gray as the shot-stopper signs on a two-year-deal.

The 29-year-old has over 150 competitive appearances under his belt and having come through the academy, spent 22 years in total at Nottingham Forest, who he represented 47 times in the English Championship.

After loan moves at Barnsley, Mansfield Town and Huddersfield Town, he joined Stockport County in July 2023.

Smith signs on the same day Jojo Wollacott left the club to join Crawley Town permanently.

Upon Smith's arrival, David Gray expressed his excitement at the move.

“He is a player with good experience playing at a high level in the English Championship and has strong pedigree and high standards having spent over 20 years at Nottingham Forest," the head coach said.

“He will provide healthy competition with Joe (Bursik) and Max (Boruc) in the goalkeeping department and we are all excited to work with him.”

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Jojo Wollacott has left Hibernian to sign for English League One side Crawley Town permanently, just one year into his three-year deal.

The 27-year-old former Swindon and Charlton player made eight appearances after joining the Easter Road club last summer for an undisclosed fee.

He made his debut in the Europa Conference League qualifier against Inter Club D’Escaldes, but suffered a thigh injury and then struggled to replace David Marshall between the sticks.

Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay said: “Unfortunately, we couldn’t guarantee Jojo as much game time as he would like, we agreed it was best for him to continue his career down south, in a league that he knows well.”

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David Gray's understanding of the demands at Hibernian will be a "massive help" for the new head coach, says former club captain Marvin Bartley.

A former team-mate of Gray, Bartley feels there has been a mentality issue at Easter Road in recent seasons, but he believes the new boss is the man to address that.

Following several stints as interim manager, Scottish Cup-winning skipper Gray has started his spell as head coach with back-to-back five-goal League Cup group wins against Elgin and Queen's Park.

"David's been out there on that pitch and he understands the demands," Bartley told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He understands what you have to do day in, day out to be successful at that football club, so I think that's a massive help.

"That was the one thing when I went into that football club, coming up from England. It's no secret people down in England look down on Scottish football as if it's Sunday league.

"And I feel Hibs have signed too many players who have maybe come with that attitude. And when you come with that attitude and realise it is a lot tougher than you expected, it's very, very difficult to then flip that mentality."

Bartley says Gray will be a boss who constantly reminds his players of the "standards they have to set" and is backing his former side to finish in the top five.

But "the biggest thing" he wants to see is for "the club win ugly".

"We all want to see free-flowing football," Bartley adds. "But there's nothing better than going home and seeing your team grind out a 1-0 win, people throwing their bodies on the line and blocking things.

"Then you can go home and say: 'That's my team and that's what I want to see'. I think that's what they need to do."

Former Hibernian captain Marvin Bartley believes his former club have signed too many players with the wrong mindset about Scottish football.

Click here to listen to more on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

Hibernian are the team in focus in Thursday's Scottish Football Podcast.

With the start of the new Premiership season fast approaching, BBC presenter Amy Canavan hosts former Hibs captain Marvin Bartley and fan podcaster Colin Wilkinson.

Click here to listen.

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Hibernian intend to carry out their own recruitment before turning to Bill Foley's Black Knight network for marquee additions. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish football gossip.