Hibernian

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Chief executive Neil Doncaster says crowd figures are "hugely promising" after the SPFL broke its attendance record for the second year running.

Over 5.15m supporters took to the stands to watch their side across all SPFL competitions in 2023-24, covering the Premiership, Championship, League 1, League 2, League Cup and the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The year-on-year figure marks an increase of 64,122 on the season prior's record high, when the number of people attending SPFL matches surpassed 5m for the first time.

A total of of 4,746,052 fans attended games across the four divisions, with Premiership matches attracting 3,760,765.

Scotland continues to have the best attendances figures per capita across its top four divisions in Europe with 21.3 per 1000 people - 65% ahead of second-placed the Netherlands.

Doncaster said: “After topping five million fans across an SPFL season for the first time in season 2022/23, it is hugely promising to see attendances growing even further this season.

“Our supporters are renowned across the world for their dedication and passion and regularly record the highest per capita attendance in Europe."

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Former captain David Gray is on Hibernian’s final shortlist for their vacant manager's job. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Raith Rovers chief executive Andy Barrowman says it's "business as usual" at Stark's Park as their manager Ian Murray is linked to former club Hibs. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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As well as Martin Boyle's Australia call-up, Hibernian will have an additional three players off on international duty this summer.

Rocky Bushiri is in the DR Congo squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Senegal and Togo next month.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott could also feature in qualifying for the 2026 tournament with Ghana, who face Mali and Central Africa in June.

Finally, midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh has been selected to represent Guyana in their double-header with Panama and Belize, also taking place next month.

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Hibs will face Queen's Park, Kelty Hearts, Peterhead and Elgin City in Group C of the Premier Sports Cup next season.

The group stage gets under way on the weekend of 13-14 July and wraps up on 27-28 July.

The eight group winners and three best runners-up join European participants Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren in the last 16 on the weekend of August 17-18.

Click here to view the draw in full.

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Four Premiership players from three clubs feature in Australia's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Hibernian forward Martin Boyle has been named in Graham Arnold's 25-man set-up, along with Hearts duo Cammy Devlin and Kye Rowles.

Departing St Mirren right-back Ryan Strain, who is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, is also in there.

The Socceroos take on Bangladesh and Palestine next month.

Myziane Maolida says it is unlikely he will be returning to Hibernian next season but has thanked the Scottish Premiership club for giving him a platform to impress on a loan spell from Hertha Berlin that has opened up new opportunities for the 25-year-old Comoros international striker. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Former Bayern Munich midfielder Thorsten Fink, most recently in charge of Belgian side Sint-Truidense, and current Ajax assistant manager Michael Valkanis are not people Hibernian are currently planning to speak to regarding their head coach vacancy despite reports suggesting they would be interested in the role. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

David Gray remains the favourite to be appointed Hibernian head coach after the 36-year-old impressed in his latest stint as caretaker and is likely to be interviewed alongside other applicants with the club also sitting on a bid of more than £2m from an unnamed French outfit for forward Elie Youan. (The Scotsman), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

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When you go searching for statistics to paint the picture of Hibs' attacking output, one name keeps popping up. Again and again and again.

And Elie Youan's name is one that pops up on the Easter Road terraces plenty too, sometimes out of bewilderment, sometimes out of bemusement.

But a lot of the numbers put a positive light on the Frenchman - and that goes beyond his 20 goal contributions in all competitions.

No player in the Scottish Premiership has completed more dribbles than Youan (61), using his trickery and pace to glide past the opposition and get Hibs up the pitch.

He is also in the top 10 for assists (eight) and touches in the opposition box (141) in the top flight, while ranking in the top 15 for shots on target (23).

"There's a player in there" is one of football's most overused cliches, but the numbers suggest that Youan has a significant contribution to make if a manager get him concentrated and consistent.

Whoever Hibs choose to appoint as the new head coach - David Gray or not - unlocking the 25-year-old's potential may prove pivotal to their success.

We asked whether you would be happy to see David Gray appointed Hibs head coach on a permanent basis as speculation mounts linking the club legend with the role.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Gary: Not for me, Sir David Gray is an icon and legend for Hibernian - let’s keep it that way. We need a manager or coach with a proven track record.

Dean: I thought when Nick Montgomery only had 60 games under his belt that it wasn’t enough; Gray only has 12! I don’t think the time is right for him currently.

Gordon: Franck Sauzee was a legend. They gave him the manager's job then sacked him. It was a sad ending for a great Hibs player. I have the same feeling for David Gray and would rather he kept the status he has now.

Neil: I would be very disappointed if Gray got the job. He needs to leave Hibernian and gain management experience elsewhere. We need a quality experienced manager. The only name that has been mentioned so far who would fit the bill is Ronny Deila, the ex-Celtic manager.

Geordie: Give Gray a shot like Arsenal did with Mikel Arteta and let him learn for a season (which is unlikely to be worse than this one). We can then let him build the team for an extended period. That would put Hibs back where they need to be in my opinion.

Paul: Not for me, we need a seasoned coach to take the club forward. Gray needs to gain more experience first, then maybe move to Hibs.

Darren: 100% yes. If Malky Mackay can get the right players then why not? Every managerial appointment is a gamble but at least we know David is made of the right stuff.

Craig: It's only Scottish Cup glory keeping Gray at Hibs, because as a defensive coach, he's been terrible. We have one of the worst defences in the league and if he can't manage to sort the back-line out, how is he supposed to configure the whole team. If appointed, I believe he'll just be Mackay's puppet. A cheap option; we should be aiming higher.

Hibs legends Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson have both been approached by Premiership hopefuls Raith Rovers after the pair were released by the Easter Road club. (Edinburgh Evening News, external)

Read the rest of Saturday's gossip here.

There is mounting speculation that four-time caretaker manager David Gray could be given the head coach role at Hibs on a permanent basis.

What would you make of that appointment? Do you think he's the right man for the Easter Road club, and how do you think his relationship with sporting director Malky Mackay will play out?

Let us know. , external

Hibernian are weighing up a bid - that could be worth as much as £2m plus add-ons - from an unnamed French club for striker Elie Youan. (The Scotsman)

David Gray is the clear frontrunner to replace Nick Montgomery as Hibs manager, says former striker Tam McManus. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.

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Rory Whittaker says being named Hibs' academy player of the year is a "very proud moment".

The teenager became the Easter Road club's youngest every player when he came off the bench in a 2-0 win over St Johnstone in September at 16 years and 44 days.

Having made 14 appearances for the first team under former boss Nick Montgomery, the right-back is looking to add to that tally next term.

“It is a very proud moment for me," he told club media. "It has been a good season for me and very hectic at the same time.

"I can’t take it for granted and I am really privileged to win this award.

“All the coaches made it clear that the debut was just the first milestone and that I needed to keep going.

"I feel I managed to do that this season, I managed to grab a few more opportunities to play more first team games.

“I am really happy that I managed to play so many games this season, and I will take a lot on board going into next season."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It’s been a long and weary season for Hibernian fans. One that started with hopes of a lengthy European run but ended with a bottom-six clash in front of a few thousand fans against relegated Livingston.

With just 17 wins in 50 matches, the campaign has to go down as a little bit more than just disappointing.

Only four of those wins came against sides who finished in the top half of the table and that in itself should be an indication that an eighth-placed finish was probably fair.

So what can the Easter Road faithful look forward to next season?

A new manager in charge, for sure. Whoever it will be has a huge job on their hands; the fans are becoming increasingly frustrated at the teams inability to challenge further up the table.

The new manager should be backed by everyone within the club, and with the Black Knight investment Hibs should be able to attract the right players to take the club forwards.

Interim boss David Gray has certainly put himself firmly in the frame to be handed the role on a permanent basis.

In his recent spell as interim manager - his fourth in total - it was evident he commanded a respect from players and staff alike. With Malky Mackay appointed as sporting director he also has someone with vast experience to rely on.

Summer is when fans tend to be at their most optimistic and with a new manager and some new players entering the building there is still hope in Leith.

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Nick Montgomery says it was an "honour" to manage Hibs, but expressed his disappointment about how things worked out on the pitch.

The Englishman was sacked earlier this month after the Easter Road club failed to secure a top-six finish.

"It was an honour to be appointed manager of Hibernian Football Club and to become part of a club with so much history," Montgomery said in a statement.

"After arriving with my assistant manager Sergio and goalkeeping coach Miguel, at a time when the club had been through a difficult start to the season, I was confident that we could lift the club and help to challenge for both cups and the top six positions.

"Whilst I am proud we made the semi-final of the League Cup and the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup, I am disappointed that we narrowly missed out of the top six in the last minute of the final [pre-split] game.

"I am immensely proud to have given a debut to the youngest player in the club's history, as well as four other academy graduates, and I hope they will continue their development to become first team regulars in the near future.

"I depart having met some wonderful people and witnessed the passionate fan base who showed support throughout all of the challenges the club faced during the season."

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Hibernian will draw up a managerial shortlist in the coming days as they close in on appointing Nick Montgomery’s successor and, while caretaker boss David Gray will be one of those interviewed for the position, St Mirren's Stephen Robinson is not in the running. (Record), external

New Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay and club chiefs have placed interim boss Gray on a shortlist to be their new head coach. (Sun), external

The players at Hibernian respect Gray "completely", says left-back Jordan Obita. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Adam Le Fondre says he is "disappointed how certain people treated me" after the striker's spell at Hibs came to an end.

The 37-year-old signed last summer on a free transfer, and scored five goals in 29 appearances for the Easter Road club.

Writing on Instagram, Le Fondre said: "I'd like to thank Brian McDermott and Lee Johnson for bringing me to the club and Nick Montgomery for [his] continued trust in my ability. I had a blast north of the border.

"Disappointed with how the season panned out and how certain people treated me, but that's for another day.

"Special thanks to the fans for making me feel very welcome, it's truly a special club and I believe they are on the road to great things."

David Gray remains prominent among the leading contenders to replace Nick Montgomery as Hibernian head coach, with the Easter Road club reluctant to pay compensation for a more experienced manager in a job. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Alan Stubbs, who led Hibernian to the Scottish Cup in 2016, reckons his old club should make Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes their number one target. (Scotsman), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

The 1-1 draw with Livingston reflected Hibs’ instantly forgettable season - uninspiring, dull, and with little quality on show.

What quality we did see came through the departing Paul Hanlon and the on-loan Myziane Maolida, who opened the scoring early in the second half.

It has been reported that Hibs are looking to make Maolida a permanent signing this summer, and it’s easy to see why.

Out of favour at Hertha Berlin, he has grabbed the opportunity to showcase his ability during his loan spell and would begin the reset of a squad that hasn’t lived up to expectations this season.

Work now starts on what should be a top-to-bottom rebuild at the club.

Malky Mackay’s controversial appointment puts someone in place who is responsible for sorting out the football side of the club. His first job will be to appoint a head coach good enough to improve the players we have already and operate shrewdly in the transfer market to bring the quality levels up.

With Mackay’s appointment having split the support, it’s essential that the head coach is someone the fans can get behind quickly, and who can bring an enthusiasm and positivity to the club that hasn’t been evident in a long time now.

David Gray may be just the man for the job. Having been groomed for the head coach role since hanging up his boots a few years ago, he clearly feels the time has come for him to be given the chance.

Other popular choices among some Hibs supporters are Derek McInnes and Stephen Robinson, both doing excellent work at Kilmarnock and St Mirren respectively. Whether or not they would be keen to come to Easter Road is another matter, but after a number of failed appointments, many fans want someone tried and tested at this level.

Whoever gets the gig, it’s important the appointment is made quickly so that the rebuild can begin in earnest.