Hibernian

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

I'm moving Lewis Miller to centre-back from left-back, as he has the attributes.

He's been criticised for his defensive displays of late but responded well with a great headed goal against Dundee United.

We asked for your views on Hibernian’s 1-1 draw against Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Andy: Death, taxes and a Hibs capitulation - the three certainties in life. There are too many players that are simply not good enough and David Gray’s selections and substitutions show too much loyalty to a core squad that isn’t good enough. Hibs are relegation fodder.

Cameron: The blatantly obvious on show yet again. Another late goal due to defensive inability and another lead lost. We should just play the youth team defenders at this rate to gain experience for the future - they couldn't be any worse than the shambles we currently have at the back. Same story, different week.

Disco: Gray has been our defensive coach under the last few gaffers, which correlates with our inability to protect leads or capitalise when playing well. The club needs to act decisively and without sentiment. Gray’s place in our history is cemented, but our immediate future is unstable. Bill Foley should be wining and dining Davie Moyes.

John: David Gray has to go. He has not been capable of building a team which has any degree of physical or mental resilience and stamina. He might be a Hibs legend but he is clearly not an effective man-manager or coach.

Anon: Another monumental mistake by the board in appointing David Gray. Bring in Neil Lennon at least until the end of this season, otherwise relegation beckons. The Gordon clan, Ben Kensell, Malky Mackay et al should depart.

Rob: There’s a distinct lack of confidence at the back. This is bred by having a goalkeeper who isn’t ready for this level and makes continuous howlers. This needs addressed urgently in January. Screaming out for a creative number 10 who can unlock defences. Should have stumped up the cash at the first hurdle for Luke McGowan. We need results fast.

Stuart: Enough is enough. Time for Gray to go! We will be in the Championship next season if he continues.

James: We are a disaster at the moment. No confidence in the current regime to get us out of this predicament. New manager and new direction needed before it’s too late.

Image source, SNS

• Hibernian have lost 11 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• They have conceded nine goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• David Gray's side attempted 387 passes in this match, higher than their season average of 328.6 in the Premiership. They also attempted 47 crosses - higher than their average 21.7 - and attempted 15 shots - higher than their average of 12.5.

• Lewis Miller has scored his first goal in the Premiership this season, netting for the first time since 25 November 2023 against Dundee.

• Hibs have avoided defeat in their last five matches when scoring first in the Premiership, since a 1-2 loss to Ross County on 4 May 2024.

• Hibernian have scored in their last five Premiership home games.

Watch the best of the action from Easter Road as Dundee United claim a dramatic late point against Hibs.

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Head coach David Gray lamented "inconsistent" officiating after Hibs were not awarded a stoppage-time penalty for shirt-tugging just minutes after Dundee United salvaged a 1-1 draw from a spot-kick given for the same offence. (Scotsman), external

David Gray suggests Hibs striker Mykola Kuharevich may have been "stupid, unprofessional and lazy" in conceding the penalty that gifted visitors Dundee United a draw at Easter Road. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Sam Dalby's 89th-minute penalty secured a dramatic draw for Dundee United and extended bottom club Hibernian's winless run in the Scottish Premiership to six games.

Hibs remain at the foot of the table, albeit with a game in hand on second-bottom Hearts, while United return to fourth.

What did you make of that then, Hibs fans? Was a draw a fair result?

Where did it go right, and where did it go wrong? Did anyone impress you?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Hibs' late collapse came as no surprise. They've conceded nine goals in the last 15 minutes of matches this season, more than any other side in the Premiership.

As a result, they've lost 11 points from winning positions - also more than any other team. If matches ended in the 75th minute, they'd sit fourth.

It speaks of either a fitness issue, or a mental fragility that has seemingly plagued this Hibs squad for a couple of years despite personnel changes.

The hosts were pretty comfortable for most of this game, but they failed to capitalise on their dominance in possession and should have been further ahead at half-time.

Once more, Gray will have to point to individual errors that have cost Hibs. Once more, his players have let him down.

Image source, SNS

Jordan Obita. Another Hibs' goal created from the boot of their left-back. There's an argument to be made that he's their most creative player.

He is fantastic at getting up the pitch and his delivery is often inch-perfect.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, O'Hora, Obita, Newell, Kwon, Triantis, Hoilett, Boyle, Kuharevich.

Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, Youan, Iredale, McKirdy, N Cadden, Campbell, Bushiri, Molotninkov.

Dundee United: Walton, Strain, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Ferry, Sevelj, Babunski, Stephenson, Middleton, Dalby.

Substitutes: Richards, Trapanovski, Odada, Fotheringham, Van der Sande, Thomson, Constable, Stirton, Ubochioma.

Hibernian defender Warren O'Hora, 25, says becoming a new father is giving him the impetus to succeed in football. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hibernian Training Centre

Image source, SNS

Nicky Cadden says Hibernian are "not getting the rub of the green" but insists they are "a really good team" who just need one victory for things to "snowball".

The Leith side are second bottom in the Scottish Premiership with just one win from their first 10 games, but winger Cadden says a much-needed second victory is imminent.

The 28-year-old has been watching from the stands recently, having missed four games with an injury, but he made his return midweek against Ross County.

"It's very close, very close," he said when previewing Sunday's game against Dundee United.

"Even in the games when I was injured, I'm watching and I'm thinking, 'we're a really good team here and we're playing good stuff' and it's just maybe the ball's not falling in the box at the right time or we're just not getting that rub of the green.

"I think we just need one win. Once we get that out the road I think we’ll be fine. We're a good group."

Cadden, who joined twin brother Chris at Hibs this summer, has played north and south of the border.

Such experiences during his 11-year career make him sure things will swiftly change.

"I've been in changing rooms a lot worse that were doing a lot better," he adds. "So I think it's just about getting that first win and knowing we can do it.

"And then it'll take care of itself. Once we get that first win, I think it'll snowball from there."

Image source, SNS

• Hibernian's last top-flight win at home to Dundee United came in November 2012 (2-1), with Hibs winless in six such meetings since (D4 L2).

• Dundee United have won their last two Scottish Premiership meetings with Hibernian and could win three in a row in the competition against Hibs for the first time since August 2012.

• Hibernian are unbeaten in 15 top-flight home games against newly promoted opposition (W6 D9) since going down 0-1 to Ross County in December 2012.

• Dundee United have kept two clean sheets in five away games in the Scottish Premiership so far this season, already the same number of shutouts they managed on the road in the whole of their previous top-flight campaign in 2022-23 (19 games).

• Dundee United's Jim Goodwin has won just one of his eight managerial away games against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership (D3 L4), a 1-0 victory with St Mirren in February 2022.

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Hibs hope to have Dwight Gayle (hamstring) and Chris Cadden (thigh) back in the squad but long-term absentee Kieron Bowie (hamstring) is missing.

Louis Moult (knee), Ross Docherty (muscular) and Ross Graham (hamstring) are all working hard to make themselves available for United but there are no guarantees, while Craig Sibbald is expected to be out until January with a groin injury.

United manager Jim Goodwin says Hibs head coach David Gray deserves more time in the job at Easter Road. (Record), external

Gray does not want "players to play within themselves", urging Hibernian to play with "freedom". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hibernian Training Centre

Image source, SNS

"We know we need to get points on the board. That's the be all and end all and the full focus for this weekend."

David Gray knows Hibs are in desperate need of just a second league win of the campaign, but he remains steadfast in his belief "it's coming" and when it does, it will be the "kickstart to the season" they need.

On Sunday Hibs host Dundee United, who they dramatically lost to last month. The head coach knows it will take "a big effort" but believes, "if we play the way we can play to the best of our ability, then we can go and get the three points".

The point away to Ross County on Wednesday lifted Hibs back above city rivals Hearts and off the foot of the table. And while it was a point they would have taken before the game, Gray admits they're "in a position where we know we need more than that".

"We’re getting to the final third and creating chances, I’d have much more concerns if we weren't doing that," said the 36-year-old, whose side are the lowest scorers in the Premiership.

"We definitely need to be more clinical, it's something we talk about and are working hard at, but a big thing for me, the message to the players is we need to keep putting ourselves in these positions to miss them.

"It might take 10 runs to get one opportunity, we might get a bit of luck, a break of the ball and that’s how quickly things can change.

"We need to keep working at it, putting ourselves into positions to miss and hopefully, by continuing to do that, things will change quickly."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hibernian Training Centre

Image source, SNS

Hibs head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media before his side's Premiership match against Dundee United on Sunday.

Here's what he had to say:

• Getting points on the board this weekend is the "be all and end all" for Hibs, and Gray's full focus is on that.

• He is convinced "one win this weekend can be the kickstart Hibs need".

• The head coach thinks victory "would change the narrative", similar to the way it has shifted this week, adding: "The narrative was about us being defensively not good enough, we get a clean sheet and the attention changes to the top end of the pitch, that's natural."

• Gray would have "more concern" if Hibs weren't getting into areas to create chances, but is urging his side to "keep putting ourselves in these positions to miss them".

• Keeping a clean sheet at Ross County on Wednesday was "the positive" and while he'd usually take a midweek point in Dingwall, on reflection and given the "position we find ourselves in, we know we need more than that".

• Dundee United have "demonstrated they're a good side," so it will take "a big effort" to get the much-sought after win, Gray says.

• He doesn't think Hibs fans will be coming into the game with nerves, and insists they will have "optimism".

Sunday's match at Easter Road brings together two sides eager to get back to winning ways.

With a winless October, Hibernian's last victory came all the way back on 14 September - a run of five games.

Dundee United's return to the top flight has been solid, but narrow defeats by Aberdeen and Motherwell in the past week have dragged them down the table ever so slightly.

United, who are unbeaten in four visits to Easter Road, are fifth, eight points above second-bottom Hibs.

And, if their last meeting is anything to go by - the Tangerines' 3-2 win at Tannadice, this fixture could be a treat.

Read all the Premiership picks here

We asked for your views on the 0-0 draw against Ross County that extended Hibs' winless run to five games but lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Here's what some of you said:

David: It's clear David Gray doesn't have any sort of plan. With the front four we have we created very little. Another winnable game slips by and we really don't look like winning matches. The next two matches will define our season. Draws are no use to us now.

Jonny: Well, a point is a point at this stage, and a clean sheet is a bonus. Lewis Miller is a bombscare on the ball and shouldn't be in the team. Luck will change soon but we need a few more experienced bodies in at the next window and a clearout. It would be sad to see another Hibs legend punted as manager.

Kieran: Another absolutely pathetic performance. Gray's legend status will never leave him but he is not the man for this job. The board have gotten away with absolute murder and it won't be long till Bill Foley pulls his funding if things keep on down this path. Another season of bottom six and more corporate suites built than victories. Pathetic.

Greg: It is very impressive that Ben Kensell and the Gordons manage to continually find managers that struggle to beat Ross County. Consistency at its finest.

Stuart: Hibs have let go managers with better results. Gray says the team is improving but results don't show that. It looks like it will take a season to get a win. Gray and Malky Mackay must go.

Cameron: Poor decision-making in the final third this time around. A clean sheet for once but that defence just sends dread through me every time the opposition attacks. Luckily County were as bad in the final third as we were.

George: Given the state of confidence this was an okay point after a point against the Jambos on Sunday. County are no mugs at home, so it's a wee step forward, and a building block on the confidence levels we need to build.

Head coach David Gray wants to see more attacking threat from Hibernian after they moved off the bottom of the Premiership table with a 0-0 draw at Ross County. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Hibernian moved off of the bottom of the Scottish Premiership despite failing to find a way past a stubborn Ross County side in a goalless draw in Dingwall.

What did you make the performance? What needs to change to get back to winning ways?

Let us know your thoughts on the match, external.