Hibernian forward Kieron Bowie, 22, is progressing well through rehab following a hamstring injury but will not feature before the end of 2024, says head coach David Gray. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Although it ended in defeat at Celtic Park last weekend there was so much positivity to take back along the M8 for Hibs.
To have 14 attempts - nine on target - against the champions in their own back yard is no mean feat.
The fact the man-of-the-match award went to Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is an indication the hosts had more than an uncomfortable afternoon.
Hibs, despite having only 24.5% possession, didn't just create good chances, they carved Celtic open at times.
According to Opta, the Easter Road side's xG of 2.19 was the most on record (since 2019-20) by a visiting team at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership.
By way of a comparison, Hearts - the last domestic team to win at Parkhead - did so with an xG of just 0.23 in their 2-0 victory last December.
The big downside for Hibs was the fact their gilt-edged opportunities were spurned. A harsh lesson that you must take your chances if you want to beat the top teams.
David Gray has had to endure extreme scrutiny in recent weeks and it now looks like his team are beginning to answer some of the key questions that were being posed.
That said, the team again sit bottom of the Premiership table. This week Ross County come calling and Hibs know a win would lift them above the Staggies on goal difference and a few places up the league.
This is a game the Hibs fans will expect to win, but that adds pressure to the players.
Performances have improved in recent weeks - now it is time to turn those into the victories required to move up the table and give the fans some early Christmas cheer.
Matty Fairnie
Fan writer
Hibs headed home from Parkhead on the end of a 3-0 defeat, a scoreline that looks every bit the routine result teams have come to expect when facing the champions in Glasgow.
However, it was far from a routine performance from the Hibees.
With an xG of 2.19 - the highest of any domestic team to have faced Celtic at Parkhead this season - Hibs can feel frustrated at having nothing to show for their efforts.
As usual, though, we only have ourselves to blame.
Mykola Kuharevich and Joe Newell passed up glorious opportunities to score, while defensive lapses and an own goal from Newell hammered home the cost of missing those chances.
There was plenty to take from the game, however, and we have no time to feel sorry for ourselves with a hugely significant game at home to Ross County on the horizon.
This is a veritable six-pointer where we have the opportunity to leapfrog County, currently eighth in the table, and move ourselves out of the bottom two for the first time in weeks.
We have had a terrible record in 'must-win' games over the last couple of seasons and can't afford to let another one go on Saturday, because the longer we remain stuck at the bottom, the harder league survival becomes.
Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers Podcast, external
Sportscene analysis: 'Gray will take a lot of heart from defeat at Celtic'
Watch highlights as Celtic win 3-0 against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership. (UK only)
We asked for your views on Hibs' 3-0 defeat against Celtic.
Here's what some of you said:
Sandy: Bottled the finishing, should have scored at least three goals, however we still played pretty well overall. Seems even holding Celtic to just a 3-0 loss is pretty good at Celtic Park these days. Hibs will be alright. Some winnable games coming. Sleeves up and onwards.
Aidan: Not sure anything would have been taken from the game if any of the very clear-cut chances had been taken, but the reality is we're bottom of the table. It's been the same old story after every defeat that the performance has been there, but when you don't pick up points after 90 minutes, you don't stay in the league.
Kenny: A lively performance but it's very obvious we need to strengthen in quite a few positions. We had plenty of chances but we need to start taking them. Celtic didn't have to be at their best to win this and we really need to get back to winning ways quickly.
George: Played well enough. Gave away a soft first goal and then missed three great chances and you can't do that, never mind away at Celtic. Then picked apart by a well drilled side, but they were there for the taking.
James: We created so many chances, I think 3-3 would not have been an unfair result. Unfortunately the chances fell to the wrong guys. If we keep creating the goals, points will come. Must-win match next week against Ross County.
Sandy: Celtic punished Hibs. Hibs needed to take their chances. Hibs need a better goalkeeper and they need to trust David Gray and invest more in goal and then outfield.
Image source, SNSHibernian have conceded seven goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, no team has conceded more.
Celtic have scored 10 goals in the last 15 minutes of second halves, only Dundee United (11) have scored more in the Premiership this season.
Hibernian have conceded 13 goals in the last 15 minutes second halves, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.
Celtic have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three games in the Premiership, a run of 313 minutes without conceding a goal.
Celtic overcame a wasteful Hibernian side at Parkhead to move nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Arne Engel's first half tap-in, before Joe Newell's own goal and Kyogo's delightful dink after the break, made it seven successive league wins for Brendan Rodgers' side.
The visitors spurned several clear-cut chances in a first half where they found some joy against Celtic's high defensive line.
Mykola Kuharevich was twice denied one-on-one with Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, and Newell blazed over the bar when unmarked inside the box.
Hibs' profligacy continued after they fell two behind, with Schmeichel denying Elie Youan and Nicky Cadden in quick succession before Lewis Miller headed straight at the Denmark international.
This is now Hibernian's worst start to a top-flight season since the 1979-80 season, when they finished bottom of the league and were relegated.
Hibs fans, were you at Celtic Park or were you following along from home? Either way, we want your thoughts.
Have your say on the game., external
George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSA chaotic draw against high-flying Aberdeen and a comprehensive win over Motherwell in Hibs' last two outings showed signs of improvement.
The momentum from those displays carried into their trip to Glasgow and they should really have hit the front inside two minutes.
Mykola Kuharevich had the entirety of Celtic's half to himself but his tame shot was saved by Kasper Schmeichel's left leg.
They continued to create opportunities that rarely come around against Celtic, but Joe Newell leant back and skied his shot with the goal at his mercy and Kuharevich's heavy first touch saw another gilt-edged chance go begging.
It felt as though Hibs could play all afternoon and not score as they continued to waste chances after the break - Elie Youan and Lewis Miller the guilty parties.
David Gray's side return to the bottom of the Premiership, but if they continue to create chances of the quality they did here - and Kieron Bowie returns to the side in the new year - the goals will surely come.
Image source, SNSHibernian head coach David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "Firstly, disappointed to lose the game. We'll never accept losing a game of football, but everything I asked the players to do was there for large periods.
"When you get big opportunities, though, you need to take them. That's cost us today - their goalkeeper gets man of the match.
"We came away from the game losing 3-0, so I'm not going to be overly positive for that reason. We had three or four clear-cut chances - I can't remember a Hibs side coming here and having so many.
"The fact we've created is a positive. If I didn't see the attacking intent we've got, I'd be much more concerned."
Image source, SNSCeltic have a full squad while Hibs are unable to select on-loan Hoops midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu.
Rudi Molotnikov also misses out with a groin strain for Hibs, but Jordan Obita returns for the visitors after suspension. Lewis Miller is set to remain on the sidelines, along with Kieron Bowie (hamstring).
Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSHibs head coach David Gray wants his side to believe they can get a result from the "daunting" trip to leaders Celtic.
Hibs head to Glasgow have climbed off the bottom of the table after backing up the draw with Aberdeen by winning 3-0 at Motherwell last weekend, their first victory in 10 games.
They played at Parkhead in the League Cup in mid-August, with Celtic 3-1 victors, but Gray wants his side to use their recent results as inspiration.
"You talk about pressure and expectation, Celtic will be the team that are expected to go and win so they have to deal with that," he said.
"We just have to look at ourselves and build on what we did at the weekend and take confidence from that and go and believe you can get a result.
"It's a really difficult place to go, the players have already been there, they are a great side with top players and a top coach so it is a daunting task, we know that.
"It's certainly one that if you believe you can go and get something, then why can it not be us?
"But you need to have the confidence that you're not just going there hoping, you need to go there and believe in what we're doing and back yourself in these situations."
Gray says some of his players have ambitions of playing among Europe's elite and wants them to prove they can compete against Champions League players.
He added: "It's also a really good test that the players can look forward to, testing themselves against Champions League players.
"A lot of players who are in my squad at the moment have aspirations to go and play at the highest level they can. So it's a great opportunity for them to test themselves against a good side in a great arena."
Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSHibs head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media before his side's trip to face Celtic on Saturday.
Here are the key lines from the press conference:
He stresses the need to "believe in what we're doing" and credits the players for buying into that.
The 96th-minute equaliser against Aberdeen was a "massive moment" for confidence and Hibs took that into the win over Motherwell.
Gray says he "would have been much more concerned" if Hibs hadn't been creating chances during their poor run.
But they have "not completely turned the corner" and his full focus remains on "changing the league position, results, and performances".
Celtic are expected to win and Gray wants his side to believe in themselves and try to cause an upset.
He says a lot of the Hibs squad have aspirations of reaching the "highest level", so it is a good test for them to face Champions League players.
On Garvan Stewart, who was appointed as the club's head of recruitment this week: "He comes with vast knowledge and experience in that area, a great addition for the club."
Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
Image source, SNSDespite last weekend's much-needed win over Motherwell putting Hibs on to 12 points, this is their worst start to a top-flight season since 1982-83.
Back then they won one and drew seven of their first 15 games – a total of nine points, or 10 using the current three points for a win. They went on to finish seventh in the 10-team top flight that season.
When the Easter Road club were relegated in 2013-14 they had 17 points after 15 games.
The previous time they were relegated - in 1997-98 - they had 13 points at the same stage.
If Hibs lose to Celtic on Saturday, it will become their worst start to a top-flight season since 1979-80 when they won two and drew three of their first 16, giving them seven points or the equivalent of nine today. They went on to finish bottom of 10 that season.
Image source, SNSCeltic have won each of their last three league meetings with Hibernian, last winning more in a row over Hibs from April 2010 to July 2011 (6).
Hibernian are winless in 19 away games against Celtic in all competitions (D4 L15) since a 2-1 victory in January 2010 under John Hughes. Hibs have lost their last five away to Celtic, last losing more in a row on the road against the Hoops in October 1984 (7).
Celtic have won 21 of their last 23 league games (D2) since a 2-1 defeat at Hearts in March. At home, the Bhoys have won 14 of their last 16 (D2), with Hearts again the last side to beat them (2-0 in December 2023).
Hibernian have scored exactly three goals in both of their last two league games (W1 D1); they had only netted 3+ goals in two of their previous 21 league matches before this.
Celtic's Nicolas Kühn has been involved in more goals than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season (5 goals, 6 assists), with his 11 involvements coming in just 12 appearances.
Manager David Gray insists Dylan Vente could still have a future at Hibs as he refused to rule out recalling the Dutch striker from his loan at PC Zwolle in January. (Scotsman), external
Garvan Stewart, the new head of recruitment at Hibs, will "definitely be in the market for a goalkeeper or two" in January, says former Easter Road striker Tam McManus. (Daily Record), external
Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
The past week at Easter Road has been much more enjoyable for supporters than some they have endured over the past few years.
The 3-3 draw with Aberdeen was an epic packed with late drama and very few inside the stadium could have any complaint about the entertainment on show.
Then on Saturday Hibs were almost flawless in dispatching a Motherwell side who are always difficult to beat on their home ground.
The players had been vocal about their support for manager David Gray and in the last two matches fewer mistakes have resulted in much-needed points and a boost for everyone at the club.
The psychological benefit of moving off the bottom of the Premiership table is massive, even if there is a long way to go before the league is finalised in May.
A club of Hibs' size simply should not be where they are and it's now up to the staff and squad to push their way upwards.
But with Celtic next up they face the toughest challenge in the country - a team full of pace and goals.
If Hibs can come through that game relatively unscathed it sets up what could be an exciting December for the fans and bring a happier end to what has been a hugely disappointing 2024.
Hibs winger Martin Boyle needed a bone graft from his hip to fix a hand and wrist injury reveals head coach David Gray, who is challenging the 31-year-old to win his starting place back in the face of stiff competition. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, SNSHibernian have announced the appointment of Garvan Stewart as the club's new head of recruitment.
Stewart, 38, has spent the last year as Bournemouth's head of performance analysis and head of recruitment analysis, and Hibs say he will now work alongside sporting director Malky Mackay "on all areas of player identification and recruitment".
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley's Black Knight consortium have a 25% stake in the Easter Road club and Hibs say Stewart's appointment "further strengthens the strategic and operational connection between Hibs and Bournemouth within Black Knight Football".
"It's great to be able to bring someone of Garvan’s calibre to the football club," Mackay said.
"He's been part of a highly successful recruitment team at AFC Bournemouth and will add real experience and guile to our player identification department.
"Garvan's expertise in data and analysis, and his knowledge of Bournemouth's and Black Knight's systems will be invaluable for us and will hugely enhance our recruitment process and strategy. I'm looking forward to having him on board."
Matty Fairnie
Fan writer
What a difference a week makes! From the demoralising demolition in Dundee last Saturday to a masterclass against Motherwell via an action-packed draw with Aberdeen at Easter Road on Tuesday. Hibs (whisper it) might just be back!
I couldn’t be happier for David Gray. It looked for all the world that he'd run his race as head coach, and I really couldn't see a way back for him after that defeat in the Dundee fog, but his side have bounced back, and it would feel extremely harsh if he were to lose his job now.
Make no mistake, second bottom and just two points ahead of lowly Hearts is an unacceptable position for Hibs to be in, but just as leagues titles aren't secured in December, neither are the bottom spots and we find ourselves just six points off an unlikely top-six position.
There's no escaping the horrendous season that has preceded the last two games and with a challenging trip to Parkhead next up for the Hibees, we could very easily see ourselves planted at the foot of the table again. Defeat to the champions wouldn't be catastrophic for Gray, so long as Hibs get back to winning ways against Ross County the following week.
There's a long way to go before we can really tell if Hibs are on the right track or if these last two performances have been the exception to the rule, but it felt great to have a Saturday night watching Sportscene without having to peek through my fingers at the horror scenes, and there was enough quality and character on show in Motherwell to give optimism for the season ahead.
Matty Fairnie can be found on the Longbangers podcast., external
Hibernian head coach David Gray believes it's "great" forward Mykola Kuharevich, 23, wants to improve. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external
Luke Amos and Jake Doyle-Hayes are pushing for a return to action at Hibs but face a fight to displace team-mates, says Gray. (Scotsman - subscription), external
Image source, SNSHibs will host West of Scotland Premier Division side Clydebank in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
The tie will take place on the weekend of 18-19 January.
Hibs capable of going on winning run, says ex-midfielder Kevin Thomson
Ex-Hibernian midfielder Kevin Thomson insists his former side are a "good team with good players" who are capable of "winning three of four games on the bounce".
Intense pressure was eased on head coach David Gray on Saturday when his team earned an impressive and much-needed victory at Motherwell.
However, Thomson feels the league table is still "alarming" for the Leith side, who still sit in the relegation play-off place after 15 games.
