Hibernian

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Hibernian manager David Gray says his side are desperate to get back out on the pitch to face Dundee after the euphoria of last weekend's victory over Rangers.

Hibs made it 16 Premiership matches in a row without defeat when they achieved their first win at Ibrox since 2018 last Saturday.

They return to action at Easter Road against relegation-threatened Dundee on Sunday and Gray said the mood among his players is "really positive" as they prepare for their final pre-split fixture.

"The extra day was beneficial because we were actually able to give the boys a day off earlier on in the week which was great, you get a bit of freshness into the players," Gray said.

"But then when you're winning games of football, everybody feels good about themselves, the bumps and bruises don't feel as sore, everyone's positive and training's been really good as a result of that.

"I think everyone's in a real good place and they're just wanting the games to keep coming."

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Tony Docherty wants Dundee to spoil Hibs' party when he takes his side to Easter Road on Sunday.

The resurgent third-place Hibees will equal a club record of 17 league games unbeaten - set in 1948 - should they take at least a point against the visitors.

Dundee, on the other hand, occupy the relegation play-off spot and are five points ahead of St Johnstone at the bottom with six games to play as they chase survival.

"We play the same way all the time," manager Docherty said.

"In every game we set up to win the match, but we are playing against a good team in Hibs.

"They have done exceptionally well recently, but in the last four they are on the same run as us, they've also won two, drawn one and lost one [Hibs were beaten by Celtic in the cup].

"So two teams on form, but they are at home and I think they have a record to try to break so that is another motivation for us, to try and make sure they don't do that.

"But any game you analyse your opponents, they have their strength and weaknesses and we have worked on that all week.

"We always set out to win every match we play but we know there has to be a balance between in possession and out of possession and we'll be endeavouring to do that.

"Hopefully we can give ourselves a shot in the arm by going into that split with another victory under our belt, another three points and putting ourselves in a decent position."

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Hibs remain without Joe Newell (groin) and Elie Youan (toe), while Kwon Hyeok-kyu (ankle) and Rudi Molotnikov (groin) are both doubts.

Dundee have had a full squad in training but Scott Fraser is still short of match fitness after groin trouble.

Hibernian midfielder Dylan Levitt, 24, says there was nothing in rumours linking him with Wrexham in January. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Celtic could still win a 13th Scottish top-flight title in 14 seasons this weekend, despite their shock defeat away to St Johnstone last Sunday.

Victory at home against Kilmarnock on Saturday would be sufficient to confirm the arithmetic should Rangers lose at Aberdeen the following day.

The Ibrox side are almost certain to clinch the second Champions League place, but four points from their final six matches would confirm it.

Whoever finishes third and fourth will also be in Europe, as will the division's fifth-placed side should the Scottish Cup winners be one of the Premiership's top four.

The fight for the final top-six place will go to the final game before the split, with one of Hearts, Motherwell or St Mirren claiming it.

Hearts visit Fir Park one point in front of their hosts and the Paisley side, who take on Ross County.

The two teams missing out could yet be sucked into a relegation battle.

Bottom side St Johnstone are now five adrift of Dundee and six behind Kilmarnock and Ross County. Motherwell and St Mirren are a further three points ahead.

With the teams all playing each other again post-split, there is still plenty scope for movement between now and 18 May.

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• Hibernian remain unbeaten in their past 15 top-flight home games against Dundee (W8 D7) since a 1-2 reverse in October 2001 under Alex McLeish.

• After beating Hibernian 4-1 in December, Dundee are looking to win back-to-back games against Hibs in the top-flight for the first time since January 2002 under Ivano Bonetti (three in a row).

• Hibernian remain unbeaten in 16 league games (W11 D5), winning both of their last two without conceding; Hibs last won three successive Scottish Premiership matches while keeping a clean sheet each time in October 2018, a run which started with a 3-0 win over Dundee.

• Dundee have won two of their past three league games (L1), as many as their previous 14 beforehand (W2 D3 L9).

• Martin Boyle has scored in each of his past four Scottish Premiership appearances for Hibernian; the last player to find the net in five in a row for Hibs in the competition was Christian Doidge in December 2019.

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David Gray insists his Hibs side are a "different animal" to the team beaten by Dundee earlier this season.

The Easter Road club were on the end of a heavy 4-1 defeat at Dens Park back in November, a result which left them rooted to the bottom of the Premiership table and put the head coach under serious pressure.

Five months later, Hibs sit third in the top flight, unbeaten in 16 league games, as they welcome a Dundee team who sit in the relegation play-off spot.

"We've been really conscious of taking it one game at a time," head coach Gray said. "That's something that's worked really well for us.

"If you think back to the reverse fixture, the last time we played Dundee was our lowest point in the season. To lose the game at Dens 4-1 to where we are now, we're a completely different animal and we want to keep pushing forward.

"It shows how much a challenge it's going to be [that we've not beaten them this season]. Dundee are fighting for their lives but they also score a lot of goals, they've scored the same amount of goals to us this season.

"They force you to defend, they've got loads of energy especially in the middle of the pitch and we know the constant threat of Simon Murray. It's a game at home, there's an expectation on us to get three points and that's what we set out to do."

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Hibs head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to host Dundee on Sunday.

Here are the main points from his news conference:

• The boss is expecting a "real difficult" game from a Dundee side who are "fighting for their lives" at the bottom end of the table but stresses the players are "full of confidence" and desperate to continue the unbeaten run.

• Gray says conversations are being had with all the players who are out of contract at the end of the campaign but insists there's "no distractions" for those players who are fully focused on the rest of this season.

• The prospect of European football next term is a "massive carrot" for any player and Gray knows his side have a "genuine opportunity" to finish in those positions this term - "if we keep winning nobody can catch us".

• The Hibs boss stresses his side are a "different animal" to the team that were beaten 4-1 at Dens Park the last time the sides met.

• Says it's great to see Simon Murray doing so well but hopes he is "quiet" in the game this weekend.

• Gray says there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday's game - Kwon Hyeok-kyu has been nursing an ankle injury so is unlikely to feature while Rudi Molotnikov has a bit of a groin issue but is not expected to be out longer term.

Manager David Gray has confirmed that Hibernian will hold talks with Dylan Vente at the end of this season, with the Dutch striker having scored 13 Eredivisie goals on loan at PEC Zwolle. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

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Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Hibs held on to third place with a comfortable win at Ibrox on Saturday.

With Aberdeen hot on our heels, there were a lot of fans and pundits that saw the weekend's fixtures as an opportunity for Aberdeen to finally reclaim third, having relinquished it a few weeks back while they were on their own dismal run.

However, Hibs had other ideas and it says so much about this team's character, belief and ability that they didn't just come home with the three points from Glasgow, but they did it in a manner that belied the pressure on them.

Just as they had done against St Johnstone the week before, they made the game look easy.

David Gray earned his third manager of the month with March's award and he must be a serious contender for manager of the year, regardless of how the league plays out from here.

The turnaround in results has been nothing short of unbelievable, with Hibs' 16-game unbeaten run in the league the best the club has achieved since the 1940s.

Gray has chalked up wins against Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee United and Hearts in that spell, statement wins that have cemented what was a fractured relationship between the fans and players at one stage this season.

The feel-good factor is all over Hibs, reflected in record-breaking season ticket sales for next season.

There was a moment earlier in the season when the writing was on the wall for Gray. The club deserve credit for standing by him despite the results, and he has repaid their faith in spectacular style.

Hibs have yet to beat this Sunday's opponents, Dundee, this season. Gray's men will be determined to put that right to make sure we stay third for another week at least.

Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers, external

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Hibernian are now reaping the rewards of having patience and faith with head coach David Gray, says former Scotland defender Joelle Murray.

After a tough start to the campaign, fears were growing that club legend Gray would be next in a lengthy list of Hibs managers to face the sack in recent years.

But the Leith side have since surged up the Scottish Premiership table and now sit in third place amid a remarkable unbeaten run, which stretched to 16 games with a well-earned victory at Rangers on Saturday.

Murray, who won multiple domestic honours with Hibs' women's side, says she is "absolutely delighted" at the turnaround.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Murray added: "The patience and the faith the board and the club has shown has certainly paid off, and it's not been a fluke."

Former Hibs defender Murray also heaped praise on current Easter Road centre-back Rocky Bushiri for his impressive form in recent months.

"Rocky knows his strengths, knows his capabilities, knows what he can and can't do," Murray added.

"And I think as the season's gone on, he's kind grown into that role in the middle of the back three."

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With Saturday's 2-0 victory over Rangers at Ibrox, Hibernian's first since 2018, David Gray's side made it 16 games unbeaten in the top flight.

In fact, you'd have to go back to 7 December to find the last league defeat the Easter Road club suffered - a 3-0 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead.

If the league had kicked off the day after that loss, they would be far and away the best team in Scotland, such is their form.

Gray's side have won 11 of their past 16 games - more than any other side in the top flight - and haven't lost a single one, something no other team in the division has achieved.

As well as beating both sides of the Old Firm in that period, they've got a better defensive record than them both as well.

Hibs have conceded four fewer goals than Celtic and 10 fewer than Rangers and have also picked up six more points than both Glasgow teams.

Hibs' win over Rangers moved them within 15 points of the Ibrox club with six games still to play.

David Gray's next test comes in the form of Dundee, currently fighting for their survival at the bottom end of the Premiership. Can they make it 17 unbeaten in their search for a third-place finish?

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hibernian continued their magnificent league form with a 2-0 win at Ibrox on Saturday and duly have three players in my team of the week.

Rocky Bushiri has matured and flourished under David Gray as the season has progressed, much as the team has as a whole. He has become a seriously important player

Dylan Levitt took a chance with a drive from range and set Hibs on their way to victory, with the help of a fumble from Rangers keeper Jack Butland.

Nectarios Triantis also gets the nod in midfield. He continues to impress in the centre of this Hibs side - what a season he is having on loan from Sunderland.

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss Martin Boyle's goal in Hibs' victory over Rangers.

Watch highlights as Rangers lose 2-0 against in-form Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked for your views on Hibs' 2-0 win against Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Maureen: What has happened to Rocky Bushiri? Has he been possessed by the spirit of Paolo Maldini? He's an absolute titan in the Hibs defence now. He neutralised Cyriel Dessers and imposed himself on the game, as he has so often this season. It gives us the base to attack teams with confidence. Loving it.

Darren: If you told me at the start of the season that in David Gray's first season as permanent manager, he would finish third, beat both Old Firm and win two Edinburgh derbies I would say you were mad. I would have been delighted for any of those but to have nearly all three? It's uncanny. If Hibs stay third Gray would be up for manager of the season for me. I believe a well accomplished manager like Brendan Rogers wouldn't mind losing it to Gray after the complete turnaround.

Alan: Great result for Gray and the team and the remarkable turnaround continues. This confident Hibs side is a world away from the team at the start of the season - secure at the back and scoring goals. Race for third spot is going to be tight but this Hibs team should challenge confidently for this spot.

Chris: It's a strange feeling going to Ibrox confident of winning, long may it continue! It starts with extending Gray and Martin Boyle, and probably letting Joe Newell go - don't need an injured captain coming back into the team to disrupt a working system.

David: Hibs controlled most of the game. It was a professional and complete performance. The back three dealt with all that was thrown at them, great composure in midfield and the attack made a nuisance of themselves. A simply incredible turnaround since the end of November and we just need to keep this run going for another month or so. Gray must be up there for manager of the year.

Sandy: Solid defensive performance and speed on the break by the gazelle like Martin Boyle, plus a classy midfield provided by Dylan Levitt and Nectar Triantis made for a 2-0 result over misfiring Rangers. Impeccable coaching by Gray and his team have this Hibs squad delighting us fans. Onwards and upwards.

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• Hibernian are undefeated in their last 16 games in the Premiership, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition (since at least 2013-14).

• Cyriel Dessers attempted four shots in this game, more than any other player.

• Martin Boyle has contributed to goals in his last four games in the Premiership.

• Vaclav Cerny attempted nine crosses in this game, more than any other player.

Hibs fans, were you at Ibrox to see your side's win against Rangers or were you following along from home?

Either way, we want your thoughts on the result and the performance.

Have your say on the game.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "It's huge. 2018 was the last time a Hibs team came here and won. The way we started the game was huge, the composure we showed and getting the goal.

"You put a game plan in place knowing Rangers are going to have a lot of the ball, so you have to be really disciplined without the ball. Every time there was a slight mistake, a teammate was there to bail them out. A massive collective performance - the subs came on and impacted the game.

"It's an incredible run and the players deserve all the credit for it. The big thing was trusting what we were doing. Not being too high when it's good and not being too low when it wasn't.

"I never stopped believing and it's been a huge collective effort from everyone involved.

"If we keep winning games, nobody can catch us and that's the mindset moving forwards."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibs' season goes from strength to strength. They have won 11 of the 16 matches in their unbeaten run and show no sign of slowing, having been bottom in November.

This is their first win at Ibrox since February 2018, when John McGinn and Jamie Maclaren were on the scoresheet.

They were solid at the back, with Rocky Bushiri particularly impressive in the way he subdued Cyriel Dessers, and they also excelled in midfield, with Nectarios Triantis a model of composure and quality, ably assisted by Dylan Levitt, who got the ball rolling.

Hibs were a constant threat on the break, sitting in a solid defensive shape before utilising their strength and pace up top to hurt Rangers time and time again.

It is a result and performance which will give David Gray every confidence his side can maintain third spot and give European football a good crack next season.

Hibernian midfielder Joe Newell, 32, may not play again this season. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny is unlikely to be risked as he looks to recover from a hamstring problem. The Ibrox side are still without Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee).

Hibs could have Nicky Cadden back but captain Joe Newell (pelvis) has suffered a setback.