Image source, SNSElie Youan's late goal moved Hibernian up to third place in the Scottish Premiership as David Gray's side ended their poor run of away form and consigned struggling Aberdeen to another defeat.
Image source, SNSDavid Gray doesn't expect European travels to weaken Aberdeen on Sunday, as the Hibs boss prepares to to travel to Pittodrie.
Aberdeen were on the sore side of a 6-0 thrashing to AEK Athens on Thursday, while Hibs come into the game in good form having put Livingston to the sword last weekend.
"I think it's something we've experienced ourselves, having played in Europe on a Thursday night," said Gray.
"But Aberdeen have developed a squad knowing they were going to be playing Thursday, Sunday, so they've got a really good, strong squad, regardless of what 11 they put out."
Hibs had to deal with European qualifiers earlier in the season, although they fell at the final hurdle in the Conference League play-off to Legia Warsaw.
That blow seemed to affect Hibs, who went winless in six after that disappointment, before the win against Livingston.
"I think the biggest thing is always about the mentality going into the game," Gray added. "They're all fit players, as are our players, they're all fit, strong, able to play two, three games a week, no problem. You look at the modern-day athlete, they can all do that.
"It's about the mentality going into it. And we certainly go into the game in a really good place after last week, and we need to take the confidence from that and go and make sure we do what we need to do to come back with three points."
Image source, SNSAberdeen had Emmanuel Gyamfi and Sivert Heltne Nilsen missing for Thursday's Europa League defeat at AEK Athens. Kristers Tobers (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Hibernian midfielder Jamie McGrath has trained this week after recovering from an Achilles problem and is fit to play against his former club.
Rudi Molotnikov picked up a knock in the Uefa Youth League and will be assessed. Joe Newell is close to a return from groin trouble while Alasana Manneh (hamstring) is still missing.
Image source, SNSAberdeen's Jesper Karlsson has created more chances from open play (13) than any player in the Scottish Premiership this season. Despite this, the Sweden forward is yet to record an assist in the competition.
Hibernian have only won one of their past seven away league games (D3 L3), triumphing 2-1 at Dundee on matchday one this season.
Aberdeen have won their past two league games without conceding; they last won three in a row in November 2024 and last did so while also keeping a clean sheet each time in May 2024 – when the third game was a 4-0 win over Hibs.
Hibs have won just three of their past 18 league visits to Aberdeen (D5 L10), although two of those have come in their latest four (D1 L1).
After their 1-0 victory in April, Aberdeen are aiming to win back-to-back league meetings with Hibs for the first time since November 2020 (three in a row).
Hibernian duo Alasana Manneh and Joe Newell are nearing a return to action. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Winger Nicky Cadden jokes Hibs head coach David Gray is not the only one he has to please, with his father also adept at delivering the hairdryer treatment. (Record), external
Cadden refers to twin brother and Hibs team-mate Chris as "the golden child" in their family. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSMidfielder Nicky Cadden wants Hibs to show their winning mentality and "dominate games" as they head to Pittodrie eyeing back-to-back wins.
David Gray's men secured a first win in seven games in style last weekend by thrashing Livingston 4-0.
Cadden wants to maintain that intensity against an Aberdeen side reeling from a club record 6-0 European loss to AEK Athens.
"Getting the result on Saturday was very good and the performance was good," the 29-year-old said.
"That's the way we want to play, we want to dominate games.
"We know we're a good team and we've only lost one league game this year, albeit a few draws.
"When you look back, we should have won more but the team hasn't changed, we're just as bright and happy as always.
"The team wants to win games of football. The changing room is full of winners.
"It'll be a tough game against Aberdeen. They've had a shaky start but they're now picking up some good results.
"We're under no illusions it's going to be tough, especially going up to Pittodrie but hopefully we can build on our performances from last year against them and we'll come down the road with a good result."
Hibernian head coach David Gray wants forward Kieron Bowie "to get in the box more". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSAberdeen's Jesper Karlsson has created more chances from open play (13) than any player in the Scottish Premiership this season. Despite this, the Sweden forward is yet to record an assist in the competition.
Hibs have only won one of their past seven away league games (D3 L3), triumphing 2-1 at Dundee on matchday one this season.
Aberdeen have won their past two league games without conceding; they last won three in a row in November 2024 and last did so while also keeping a clean sheet each time in May 2024 – when the third game was a 4-0 win over Hibs.
Hibs have won just three of their past 18 league visits to Aberdeen (D5 L10), although two of those have come in their latest four (D1 L1).
After their 1-0 victory in April, Aberdeen are aiming to win back-to-back league meetings with Hibs for the first time since November 2020 (three in a row).
Claire Thomson
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSDavid Gray says there are "no excuses" as Hibs look to use their rout of Livingston as the launchpad for a spree of wins.
The Easter Road club entered the international break following a late defeat against rivals Hearts - their first league loss of the season - but bounced back by beating Livingston 4-0 to end a six-game winless streak.
Hibs now face Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen on Sunday, who rose off the bottom of the table last weekend and are eyeing a third straight league victory.
"I got the reaction I wanted. It was almost a complete performance, a clean sheet and four goals at home, so really good," said Hibs boss Gray.
"It's now about building on that. Going into the international break, we used it as a reset so there are no excuses now, we need to move forward and start putting wins on the board.
"It was really good to start with three points at home as we gear up to a tough test on Sunday, but a game to really look forward to.
"It's easy to say once it's happened that I feel a win was coming, but the level of performance has been good.
"We've spoken about the chances we've created but not taken, we've missed out on opportunities and not killed games off.
"It was really pleasing to see them take those chances, it gives the players confidence and belief.
"Aberdeen have developed a really strong squad that are starting to click together as a team so it will be a difficult game.
"We know we're a good side and we'll take the confidence from the weekend to go up there and hopefully come away with three points."
Matty Fairnie
Fan writer
Image source, SNSHibs delivered what the fans craved - a 90-minute performance.
It was back to winning ways last weekend and with it came a display that sent the support home happy. Livingston will be glad to have left Edinburgh having only conceded four goals.
Thibault Klidje - the club's record signing - led the line superbly, taking advantage of a rare start to show David Gray what he's capable of.
Klidje's goal was a thing of beauty and he terrorised the Livi defence the whole time he was on the pitch.
Gray now has another selection headache. He has swapped out Jordan Smith and Rocky Bushiri, two standouts last season, in favour of Raphael Sallinger and Scotland Hall of Famer Grant Hanley, and now needs to decide whether Martin Boyle stays on the bench to give Klidje a run of games.
It's the sort of problem a manager would want to have and Gray has shown previously he is not afraid to put noses out of joint if it's best for the team.
We'll see with his team selection against Aberdeen what his thoughts are for the forward position.
A change back to the 3-5-2 system that served Hibs so well last season paid off on Saturday and this too should hopefully see Hibs get back on track for the rest of the season. All in all, a cracking weekend for the Hibees.
Junior Hoilett urges Hibernian to build on Saturday's win over Livingston by recording a positive result at Aberdeen on Sunday and says "it will take a professional performance". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Hibernian took a first Premiership home win of the season as they hammered Livingston, Junior Hoilett and Thibault Klidje make my team of the week.
Hoilett played twenty minutes and scored two goals - an economy of excellence. He has always been a class act and a pleasure to watch every time Hibs play.
Record signing Klidje was properly impressive against Livingston. A goal and a penalty won by the Togo international in a 4-0 romp. He looked sharp with lots of quality.
There are now plenty of exciting possibilities in the forward areas for head coach David Gray with Klidje, Kieron Bowie and Martin Boyle at his disposal.
'Competition in squad should drive Hibs on' - Sportscene analysis
Watch the Sportscene panel discuss how Hibs can kick on after their 4-0 win over Livingston at the weekend.
Watch highlights as Hibs ease past Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.
We asked for your thoughts after Hibs' 4-0 win over Livingston.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Gordon: Good all round performance resulting in a comprehensive win over a side that has regularly given us problems in the past. Thibault Klidje proving a handful up front and Grant Hanley once again solid at the back. Hopefully we can now kick on from this, again well played Hibs.
Willie: Great to see Hibs getting some reward for great play - 27 goal attempts, 12 on target - a real exciting game, thought Livingston played some good football but were handled well by a defence in which Hanley was excellent. We move on to two hard fixtures but if we approach these games with the same intensity we will be very hard to beat
Francis: Our £1million signing proved he was worth the money, sharp, slick, great turn of speed, all he needs now is a few good finishes in front of goal and the net will bulge with renewed confidence and a lot of goals, well done Klidje.
Aidan: Good confidence booster ahead of difficult upcoming games and nice to be back in the top three in the league table. Still feel that this group is yet to hit the levels which they are capable of, exciting times.
Andrew: A satisfactory result after weeks of sub-par performances. I've been saying it all season that we've been underperforming and even though this is against a weaker opponent our quality is clearly there. Our bench is stronger than in recent years and having players like Miguel Chaiwa and Martin Boyle off the pitch at kick-off exemplifies that. Need to build on this and should start Klidje regularly now. David Gray surely can't use the excuse of trying to settle him into games now. He's clearly ready.
Niall: Much better. Creativity, freedom, goals and a clean sheet. Think Klidje has shown that he has to be seriously considered for the starting role. Need to kick on for a bit of a run of wins now.
Image source, SNSHibernian head coach David Gray: "Everything I asked for we saw. The big thing was the reaction to losing our first game of the season and we did it in the perfect way.
"Four goals, a clean sheet and we could have had more. The biggest thing I asked for was intensity and I got that from the start.
"The subs came on and made us better, which is the challenge for them. It's a really good day's work.
"It's great for [Thibault Klidje] him on a personal level, getting a goal. His level of performance was excellent, he's a constant threat and looks to run in behind.
"That was part of the game plan today to exploit the space in behind and he certainly did it.
"He's had to be patient, but we've been patient with him. He's come over to a new culture and new way of working and coming into a team that is very competitive as well.
"I'm delighted with his performance and he should be delighted with his performance, but to single anyone out today would be wrong because to a man they were fantastic."
Record signing Thibault Klidje inspired Hibernian to a first home win of the season as they hammered Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.
What did you make of Klidje's display? And how significant a win was that for Hibs?
Image source, SNSHibernian welcome back Miguel Chaiwa and Elie Youan after injury. Captain Joe Newell is stepping up his fitness after a long-term groin injury but not yet ready for squad involvement. Alasana Manneh (hamstring) is still out.
Livingston are hoping to get Joshua Brenet registered in time to feature while Cristian Montano, Cammy Kerr and Aidan Denholm are all closing in on comebacks. Ryan McGowan is not far behind them.
Image source, SNSGoalkeeper Raphael Sallinger says the international break has been a good chance for Hibs to "calm down" after suffering a late defeat to city rivals Hearts.
Craig Halkett's stoppage time goal at Tynecastle snatched all three points for the hosts who sit two points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
And while Hibs were desperate to get back to action and right their wrongs quickly, Sallinger admits the break has been a change for David Gray's men to regroup.
"I'm more the type who wants to just play the next game, especially when it was a late goal against Hearts," the 29-year-old said.
"It was disappointing for us, but the two weeks to calm down and get away from football and have your head on other things was good.
"A lot of players weren't here the last two weeks, but we spoke a lot about how we can do better.
"A lot of people were talking about conceding the late goal, and how we can change that but when you look at statistics and everything, especially the last game against Hearts, it was just unlucky.
"We've had good performances, we were unlucky in a lot of games. The Kilmarnock game, we had a really good first half. We want to keep the performance during 90 minutes, and that's the thing, we are going the right way.
"In football it's all about details, and sometimes you just need a successful result. We want to do it, and we can, so the moment can change quickly."
