Hibernian

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David Gray’s status as a Hibs legend will count for little if he fails to hit the ground running in his tenure at head coach.

That’s the verdict of former Scotland and Chelsea winger Pat Nevin, who is a Hibs fan and hopes rookie boss Gray can make the most of a “tough gig” at a club that have churned through five managers in fewer than five years.

Speaking on the BBC’s Scottish football podcast, Nevin said: "If you don't start well, the fans can turn.

“Also, the board's not for waiting a long time. It's one of those clubs that does seem to change very, very quickly.

“And it's difficult to build a team. If you're going into management, what you want more than anything else is time. You want time to get the team playing your style, but also getting your type of players in.

"And it usually takes a minimum of a year, a season, but probably more than that and just these days with most clubs you don't get that if it doesn't go well at the start.

"Maybe Hibs in particular, you get very very little time and they just seem to switch it around. I find it an odd way to do it but give him a chance, although he'll need to start off well."

Hibernian have added £1m to David Gray's playing budget after giving him the head coach job permanently and aim to appoint Heart of Midlothian B team boss Liam Fox as his assistant, are keen to make Liam Craig a first-team coach, while Aberdeen goalkeeping coach Craig Samson is also being considered. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

The decision to appoint (Sir) David Gray as the new head coach at Hibernian has raised a few eyebrows among the support.

His lack of experience, the fact he’s just starting his UEFA pro licence, and his association with the failed management teams of recent years have all been cited as reasons why he shouldn’t get the job.

There is validity in all of those points, in fairness. However, the case for Gray stands up to scrutiny and I think he’s exactly what the team needs, despite those reservations.

Gray has been a leader at the club since arriving as Alan Stubbs’ first signing in 2014.

In 2019, nearing the end of their playing careers, both Gray and Darren McGregor were given four-year deals, with Hibs saying the long-term plan was to give them “positions within the club that make the most of their experience and leadership qualities”.

This is a move that has been five years in the making. Gray’s leadership qualities were evident as a player – he knew just the right time to smash into a tackle to lift the crowd and the team; a stern, no-nonsense character who kept a ‘lively’ side including John McGinn, Jason Cummings and Anthony Stokes on track.

We have seen in his interim spells that he can win games, bearing in mind he has invariably had to take over at times of crisis. It’s clear he understands the game in this league and how substance over style tends to get results more often than not.

While several fans have raised questions about the appointment, there are no doubts that every supporter is right behind him.

A club legend for that goal in 2016, there will not be any Hibs fan who doesn’t want Gray to be a roaring success in the hotseat. I’ve every confidence he will be.

Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers podcast, external

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

If there were any Hibernian fans calling for a hero revitalise their club, they now have the epitome of one in the managerial hotseat.

After four stints as interim boss, David Gray is getting his chance to take the reins on a permanent basis.

Desperate or a shrewd new sense of direction? Time will tell.

As a head coach his credentials are still unclear, but the former right-back achieved legendary status as a player and captain at Easter Road.

The main reason for that? Bulleting in a header to win the 2016 Scottish Cup while wearing the armband.

After a turbulent four years, during which Hibs have burned through five managers, the fans now have an iconic figure to rally round, even if his experience in the dugout is limited.

The worry for supporters in situations like these, however, is the risk of that hero's reputation becoming tarnished.

But a look across the city shows taking a gamble on a young coach, and former player, can be a success.

Across four separate spells as interim manager, Gray's record stands at five wins, three draws and two defeats from 10 league games.

There's also a narrow League Cup final defeat to Celtic back in December 2021 to add to that - a painful but valuable experience - as well as a 3-0 Europa Conference qualifying loss at Aston Villa.

Stretching that league form over a 38-game season will be the challenge for the 36-year-old, whose immediate task is to bring stability to a club in desperate need of it.

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BBC Scotland will continue to broadcast live matches and highlights from the Scottish Cup for another five years.

The new deal extends the BBC's arrangement of showing a game from each round - up to and including the final - on a free-to-air platform.

The contract also allows the broadcaster to produce "near live digital highlights".

The Scottish Youth Cup final will also be shown live for the next five years.

• Read the full story

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Ten years on from making his debut for Hibs as a player, the time has now come for Gray to take on the head coach job at Easter Road. One of the hottest seats in Scottish football.

Many will say this is a risk for the club - and they would be right. But every managerial appointment is a gamble of some sort.

However, since Jack Ross was cruelly shown the door in December 2021, just 10 days before a League Cup final, Hibs have jumped around to try to find the one person that can set alight the club's vision for success.

And, after hanging up his boots as a player three years ago, Gray has been listening, watching and hopefully learning how he can make an impact as permanent team boss if the opportunity arises. Now it has.

In making this move, the Hibs board may well have taken a look at what happened across the city with rivals Hearts when they appointed the inexperienced Steven Naismith as head coach.

Not every Hearts fan was in agreement and patience was required. But, in the end, it paid off handsomely.

The Gordon family have to be applauded for their continued investment in Hibs.

Along with the Bill Foley/Black Knights investment, Hibs are in a stable situation financially and will be hoping the appointment of Gray, given his legendary status at Easter Road, will have fans flocking to buy season tickets ahead of the new season.

The job Gray has landed is one of the big five in Scotland, but that comes with a responsibility and accountability with every new signing and every starting XI scrutinised. New managers at any club are given a very short honeymoon period by supporters.

Before their first match in the League Cup against Elgin City next month, Gray will have an eye on who he wants to keep from what was a bloated squad at the end of last season and who he wants to bring in.

That is where the new sporting director, Malky Mackay, could be invaluable given his experience and extensive contacts throughout the UK and abroad.

However, whatever happens, Gray certainly won't fail due to lack of effort or application. The same attributes he had as a player will now follow him into the managerial hotseat.

After four stints as interim boss, David Gray has been appointed Hibs head coach.

The Scottish Cup-winning captain is the club's sixth manager in just over four years.

What do you make of the appointment of the Hibs legend? A risky move or are you in favour of the board taking a different direction?

And what should his priorities be in a big summer for the club?

Have your say here., external

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David Gray is determined to deliver success for Hibs and says it is a "true honour" to be appointed head coach of "this great football club".

Gray, skipper and scorer of the winning goal in the 2016 final as Hibs ended a 114-year wait for Scottish Cup glory, replaces Nick Montgomery to become the club’s sixth manager in just four-and-a-half years.

The 36-year-old Edinburgh native is tasked with reviving the team’s fortunes after last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish.

"It is a real privilege for me to become the head coach of this great football club," said Gray.

"Everyone knows how much Hibs means to me. It is a massive club with a phenomenal fanbase that I know very well – so to be given this opportunity is a true honour.

"From being here as a player and a coach for over 10 years, I know what a successful Hibs team looks like and I am determined to succeed and take our club forward."

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Hibs conducted a “robust recruitment process” before naming David Gray as the club’s new permanent head coach, says sporting director Malky Mackay.

Easter Road legend Gray, 36, has signed a three-year contract after four spells as interim manager.

Gray has been at the club for a decade as player then coach and Mackay - who led the managerial search - says his promotion to the hotseat provides "stability".

"Following a robust recruitment process, David emerged as our preferred candidate and we are delighted to have him on board,” Mackay said.

"Having watched his progression closely over a number of years, David’s ready to step up and become Hibernian FC’s head coach.

"David understands the pressures and demands that comes with a club like Hibs, knows Scottish football inside out, is an excellent coach and a strong man-manager.

"He already has good relationships with the current playing squad and members of staff both at HTC and Easter Road, which provides an element of stability, and we know he’s the right man for the job."

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Additional investment in Hibernian has been approved, the club have confirmed.

Shareholders Leslie Robb, Hibernian Supporters Limited (HSL), and Bydand Sports LLC have all increased their respective shareholdings.

The extra investment has been approved by Bill Foley's Black Knight Football Group, who bought a 25% stake of the club for £6m earlier this year.

Hibs are poised to name caretaker boss David Gray as permanent head coach and are set for a squad overhaul this summer under the guidance of recently-appointed sporting director Malky Mackay.

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Several clubs in Scandinavia are interested in Emiliano Marcondes after the midfielder was released by Bournemouth following his loan to Hibernian and with Norwich City deciding against pursuing the Dane. (Record), external

Raith Rovers are poised to complete the signing of 34-year-old freed Hibernian centre-half Paul Hanlon. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Controversy and VAR have been intertwined ever since its implementation in the Scottish top flight in October 2022.

From handball decisions to fouls and penalties, managers and fans alike have had grievances over the technology - and the length of time taken for decisions to be made.

With the 2023-24 season complete and the new campaign a number of weeks away, would you rather see VAR scrapped from Scottish football or persevered with?

Cast your vote here.

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Emiliano Marcondes is now a free agent after being released by Bournemouth - does that open the door to a potential permanent return to Hibernian?

During a six-month loan at Easter Road last season, the Danish midfielder scored three goals in 17 appearances.

The 29-year-old enjoyed some standout performances in an underperforming Hibs team that finished in the Premiership's bottom six.

Wage demands for a permanent deal could prove to be excessive for the Leith side if they make a move.

Hibs are also yet to appoint a first-team manager after the departure of Nick Montgomery, who brought Marcondes to the club, which could be another factor in any potential deal.

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Guillaume Beuzelin believes David Gray would unite former club Hibernian if given the manager's job. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

We asked you to name Hibs' best cult hero signings - the player that showed up with little expectation (and perhaps ability) but won over the support.

Here's what some of you said:

Colin: Matthias Jack never backed down. I had a shirt printed the first season he arrived with his name and number. Never forgiven him for changing it the next season! Still loved him and his goal against Dundee United.

Joe: Paco Luna. If only he had buried that header against Athens.

Duncan: Can think of a few 'streets will remember' sort of players. Dominque Malonga would be a good one, scored some important and quality goals for the Hibs. Scott Allan stands out as a top player who drove us forward. Ivan Sproule could change games by himself and became a cult hero for sure, with the iconic picture of him being carried at Ibrox.

Craig: Cult heroes don’t come any better than the one and only, Jimmy Boco.

Peter: Efe Ambrose. Velveteen first touch. Maverick raids forward. Acrobatic goal celebrations. Not to mention his lightning post-match dashes to the erstwhile kebab establishments of Easter Road, before the shrill blast of the the final whistle had faded into the ether. Top-tier character.

Sandy: Stan Vincent was a forward in the 1960s who couldn’t fully break into the first team because of the likes of Colin Stein and Eric Stevenson. But he did score against Hearts An Edinburgh man born and bred, and a hero to me . I started supporting Hibs in the 1960s and remembered him.

Archie: Farid El Alagui - injuries meant his game time was limited but he lit up an otherwise bleak season in the Championship with memorable moments, none more so than a last-minute goal against Hearts at Easter Road.

Anon: Cult hero? Stephane Omeonga, without a doubt. Came on the pitch from bench, first match, rallied his teammates, was an incredible motivator with pace. Off pitch, won the support of the fan base with kind, loyal manner and played Sunshine on Leith beautifully on the piano! We should never have let him go, solid midfielder.

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Hibs' new manager will start life in the role with a trip to Elgin City in the opening game of the Premier Sports Cup.

The Easter Road side travel to Borough Briggs on Saturday, 13 July before hosting Queen's Park in Leith live on TV.

They will then head to Fife to face Kelty Hearts and round off their campaign with a home meeting against Peterhead.

Fixtures (All times BST)

Elgin City v Hibs - Saturday, 13 July (15:00)

Hibs v Queen's Park - Tuesday, 16 July (19:45)

Kelty Hearts v Hibs - Saturday, 20 July (15:00)

Hibs v Peterhead - Saturday, 27 July (15:00)

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Hibernian could rekindle their interest in Bournemouth defender Owen Bevan. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Lewis Stevenson has signed for Raith Rovers following the end of his long career with Hibernian.

The 36-year-old left-back has signed with his boyhood team until the summer of 2026.

He spent 22 years with Hibs, making his 600th appearance earlier in May.

"Delighted to finally be here," he told Rovers' website. "I was an avid armchair fan last season, everyone at the club (has) done so well and hopefully we can kick on again next season."

Rovers manager Ian Murray, who played with Stevenson at Easter Road, added: "Lewis is obviously an excellent signing for us and a player I know well. He will bring so much experience and his attitude has set an example to others over his career.

"He can play in a couple of positions and has so much quality. I really look forward to working with him again and I’m sure, being a local guy, the supporters will agree it’s a great signing."

Stevenson won the League Cup in 2007 and the Scottish Cup in 2016, the only player to complete that double as a Hibs player.