Myziane Maolida thanks Hibernian for making him smile during a fruitful loan period but admits a return to Easter Road is unlikely, saying a move away from Hertha Berlin is "logical" since he wants to play at "a high level". (Scotsman), external
Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.
We asked for your thoughts after David Gray threw his hat in the ring for the vacant Hibs job following a season-ending 1-1 draw at Livingston.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Dicky: Although adored by the fans, Sir David Gray in my opinion wouldn’t be the man to take us forward... yet. The last four managers have been absolutely garbage and I feel a tried and trusted man at this level is needed to take us forward. No risks. Gray will get his chance in the future but now is not the time. Fans are fed up with mediocre appointments.
Kenny: It’s been another disappointing season and it’s getting to be a bit of a habit. I think that Gray can become a good manager but he needs to leave Hibs and serve his apprenticeship. Hopefully he can come back and be a success. Right now we need experience. The board must take time and get it right.
George: Don't think Sr David has the necessary experience, unfortunately. But if we can't get Derek McInnes or Stephen Robinson, or perhaps Michael O'Neill, then he's as good as any of the rest, so give him a shot at it. He'd have Malky MacKay upstairs to lean on with his experience.
Image source, SNSAppointing David Gray as head coach to work under Malky Mackay would be the wrong "look" for Hibs, says former Livingston boss Allan Preston.
Now in his fourth spell as caretaker manager, Gray insisted he was "ready" to take on the top job after Sunday's 1-1 draw with relegated Livingston.
But after Mackay took up the sporting director role at Easter Road last week, Preston believes there could be a power imbalance given Gray's inexperience in charge.
"I think he's a contender, but will Hibs give him the job? I don't think so," he said on BBC Sportsound.
"Gray will want to be a manager at some point, but I don't think it's right now and I don't think it's at Hibs.
"I think they'll be looking for someone more experienced and exciting. Look at what Aberdeen have done, they've not gone down the usual route.
"If Malky Mackay appoints David Gray, I don't think that's the right look. Gray would be his own man, but Mackay has more experience and would be sitting above him.
"He's the one who could manipulate him and say 'you need to do this, you need to do that.'"
Former Motherwell captain Stephen Craigen also thinks the Hibs hierarchy will look further afield in the search for a sixth permanent boss in just over four years.
"I can't help but think the Black Knight group will have more investment than their [up to 25%] stake suggests," he said.
"Bill Foley is ruthless and wants success, he wants it to happen now.
"Malky Mackay's first appointment... to appoint someone from within, what's the point in bringing Mackay in? You're appointing him for his contacts and his knowledge of the game.
"I think they'll go for someone not in the norm in Scotland who's been on the roundabout. I think that's exciting for Hibs fans."
Image source, SNSMyziane Maolida has scored 10 league goals this season (one in this game), more than any other Hibs player.
Livingston have scored in their last six games in the Scottish Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of eight games from 29 January 2022 to 6 March 2022.
Hibs have lost 21 points from winning positions in the top flight this season, only Dundee (25) have lost more.
Joel Nouble has assisted two goals this season one in this game), no Livingston player has more in the Scottish Premiership.
Hibs attempted the last five shots in this game as Livingston's last shot was taken by Bruce Anderson in the 67th minute.
Bruce Anderson has scored seven league goals this season (one in this game), more than any other Livingston player.
Watch highlights as Hibernian and Livingston play out a 1-1 Scottish Premiership draw.
Available to UK users only.
David Gray reacts to his side's draw with Livingston
Image source, SNSHibernian caretaker manager David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "Credit to Livingston, David will be happy with their start and they got a reaction, started the better team and threw a lot at us.
"They force you to defend from everywhere, but we were poor on the ball for the first 15 minutes and showed good resilience. Both teams didn't want to lose, rather than wanted to win it. Did we do enough to win the game? Maybe, but a point each is probably fair.
"I believe I am ready. I'd always back my ability. That's not what matters at the moment, what matters is what the club decide. I've been asked to do a job, which is now done. Over the next few days, we'll find out what's happening.
"I feel I've gained a lot of experience, always in difficult situations. I've also had the benefit of four different coaching styles. I was learning the whole time, piecing it all together and implementing what a successful Hibs team could look like.
"What I've done previously has no bearing move forward, I would never want that to be the case."
Livingston signed off their doomed Scottish Premiership campaign with a comeback draw against Hibernian at the soon-to-be-renamed Tony Macaroni Arena.
After a sleep-inducing first-half in the West Lothian sun, Myziane Maolida put Hibs ahead four minutes after the break as he buried a loose ball on the edge of the area.
But there was to be a nice end to Bruce Anderson's Livingston story, with the departing striker tucking home a Joel Nouble cross to level.
Already destined for the Championship, Livingston finished 10 points behind 11th-placed Ross County, while managerless Hibs finished eighth.
The season finally comes to an end, Hibs fans. How do you feel? What did you make of that final match of the season?
And how do you think David Gray would do as Hibs manager? Do you want him in charge?
Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland
These teams will both look very different next season. Hibs might have a new man at the helm. Then again, they might not.
Caretaker David Gray - a man knighted by Hibs fans due to his cup-winning heroics - might be tempted throw his hat into the ring, but the strength of his case for the top job remains hard to gauge.
Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson are certainly on their way out, and the job for whoever becomes manager is to find two leaders to replace them.
The club feels wildly disconnected from the fans right now. They have to re-establish that connection over the summer.
Image source, SNSPaul Hanlon. Not his best game for Hibs, but almost certainly his last. A player under-rated during his prime.
Livingston: George, Nottingham, Devlin, Se Kelly, Montano, Pittman, St Kelly, Nouble, Shinnie, Anderson, Yengi.
Substitutes: Wright, Carson, Bradley, Sangare, Sharp.
Hibernian: Wollacott, Cadden, Bushiri, Hanlon, Obita, Triantis, Newell, Boyle, Campbell, Maolida, Vente.
Substitutes: Johnson, Levitt, Doyle-Hayes, Mayenda, Amos, Stevenson, Le Fondre, Tavares, Moriah-Welsh.
Image source, SNSLivingston manager David Martindale expects to be selecting from the same squad he had at his disposal for the midweek defeat at Aberdeen, with goalkeeper Jack Hamilton (groin), James Penrice (hip) and Shaun Donnellan still missing.
Hibernian caretaker David Gray also expects to be selecting from the same squad he had available for Wednesday’s win over Motherwell, with goalkeeper David Marshall, Elie Youan, Will Fish (back) and Lewis Miller (hamstring) set to miss out again.
Image source, SNSHibs keeper Jojo Wollacott wants to finish a disappointing season on a positive note when they take on Livingston on Sunday.
The Easter Road side have fallen short of expectations this season, but won 3-0 against Motherwell on Wednesday following the sacking of manager Nick Montgomery.
It was Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson's final home game for Hibs, and Wollacott said they were determined to win the game for them.
“After last Sunday, I think a win and a clean sheet on Wednesday was the minimum requirement and we wanted to give Paul and Stevo the best possible send-off, so it was an ideal night,” he said. “We’re looking to take that into Sunday now.
“It’s not been an ideal week with the manager getting sacked but we’ve got to stay positive and try and finish the season on a high.
“We’re playing for a bit of pride and if we can get a win, it can also give us a bit of momentum going into next season.”
Wollacott has started the last three games following an injury to David Marshall and he has enjoyed his run in the first team.
“It’s been nice to get on the pitch again,” he said. “I was a bit unfortunate to get injured at the start of the season so that didn’t go to plan but these things happen throughout your career.
“You just have to remain positive, control what you can and wait for your opportunity.”
Image source, SNSLivingston have lost four of their last five league games against Hibernian (W1), as many as their previous 15 against Hibs in the top-flight beforehand (W7 D4 L4).
Hibernian have won both of their last two league trips to Livingston, last winning three in a row on the road against them in the top-flight in May 2003.
Livingston have lost 23 of their 37 Scottish Premiership games this season (W5 D9); the last side to lose more in a campaign in the division were Dundee in 2018-19 (27).
Hibernian have won just one of their last nine away league games (D5 L3), beating St. Johnstone 3-1 in April.
Hibernian have won each of their last three Scottish Premiership games with David Gray in charge by an aggregate score of 9-0 (4-0 v St. Johnstone in May 2022, 2-0 v Aberdeen in September 2023, 3-0 v Motherwell last time out).
Hibs end the Scottish Premiership season with the short trip to West Lothian to face relegated Livingston.
After beating Motherwell 3-0 on Wednesday, will interim boss David Gray be inclined to stick with the same team?
Who would you like to see in the starting line-up? Pick your team here.
Image source, SNSHibs interim boss David Gray says he's "100%" ready for the move into management, though that may not be at Easter Road.
The 36-year-old is in his fourth spell as caretaker manager following the sacking of Nick Montgomery earlier in the week.
He took up similar roles after the departures of Jack Ross, Shaun Maloney and Lee Johnson.
But asked whether he sees himself as capable of taking on a top job in a general sense, Gray brimmed with confidence.
“I’ll always back myself, given the opportunity," he said
"I’ve been in this position four times now and it’s been uncomfortable for a number of reasons, first and foremost because there are people losing their jobs who you have been working with.
“But in terms of backing my ability to be able to do the job, I 100% believe I can do it.
"I’ve demonstrated that now on a few occasions but first and foremost I’m doing what the club have asked me to do. Until my position changes, it’s all about the club.”
Although there has been managerial upheaval at Easter Road in recent years, Scottish Cup winner Gray believes it's still an attractive role for potential suitors.
“It’s a fantastic club and it’s a fantastic job for whoever gets the opportunity to take the club forward,” he added.
“The decisions that are getting made in the background are all to try and move the club forward to where we believe it should be. It’s a challenge but it’s also one someone should be very excited about.”
Image source, SNSDeparting Hibs hero Lewis Stevenson is a "manager's dream", says former Easter Road boss Alan Stubbs.
Stevenson, 36, will leave the Leith side at the end of the season alongside fellow stalwart Paul Hanlon.
Having led Hibs to Scottish Cup glory with the veteran pair in 2016, Stubbs describes Stevenson as a player who was always respected in the dressing room.
“He is literally a manager’s dream – in terms of both his personality, but also his qualities as a player," he told club media.
“He is a player that you know will never let you down and that is a very difficult commodity to find in a player. Sometimes you have players that bring a big personality to the team, or they bring their own ability, but with Lewy – he ticked every box.
“He was an example to others in terms of the way he trained. He gave his best every day no matter what.
“Over a period of time, when you have a dressing room that respects an individual so much – that tells you an awful lot.
“From my point of view, Lewis doesn’t speak all the time – but when he does speak, the players listen. He’s not one to have an opinion every game but when he does speak all the players respect what has to say.
“He is a very quiet individual, but in a good way. He has always wanted the best for Hibs and he has never wanted to leave. There is a lot to say and admire about a player that has been at one club his whole life."
Retiring Hibs women captain Joelle Murray worked with new Easter Road sporting director Malky Mackay in the Scotland set-up and has hailed him as a "fantastic" appointment for the club.
Listen and subscribe to the Scottish football podcast on BBC Sounds
Image source, SNSLewis Stevenson has warned Hibs of their "big mistake" in letting fellow club stalwart Paul Hanlon leave Easter Road.
The two veterans waved goodbye to the home crowd after Hibs thumped Motherwell 3-0 on Wednesday night.
While Steveson says he understands why the time is right for him to move on, he believes Hanlon - who revealed he would have preferred to stay at the club - will be missed in Leith.
“I’ve no complaints and I totally understand the club’s position – I’m 36 and they need to move on at some point,” the defender said.
“But I can probably say this now. I think with Paul it’s a big mistake. He’s shown the last few games how good he can be.
“A left centre-half is very hard to come by, and he’s still playing as well as he’s ever done. Anyone watching that [Motherwell] game, any potential suitors, he’s going to be getting a few offers next season.
“He’s maybe playing with nothing to lose, but even the Aberdeen game [on Sunday], we got beat 4-0 and I still think he was the best player on the pitch.
“Maybe I’m being biased – he’s my old pal and I’ve played a lot of games with him – but he’s still got a lot to offer, and I’m sure somebody’s going to get a good left centre-half.
“Outside the Old Firm – and obviously he’s not going to go to Hearts – there’ll be plenty teams looking at him.”
Sacked Hibernian head coach Nick Montgomery could return to management with Western Sydney Wanderers. (Sun), external
Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray is fully focused on his current role as the head coach role at former club Hibs sits vacant. (Courier - subscription), external
Sportscene pundits Charlie Mulgrew and Neil McCann discuss the sacking of Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery and the Easter Road send-off for club legends Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson. (Available to UK users only)
Image source, SNSEmotional but unforgettable was the overriding feeling from Hibernian's Lewis Stevenson and Paul Hanlon in their Easter Road farewells.
The defensive duo, products of the Hibs academy, have amassed over 1,000 games between them and played their final home fixture for Leith club in Wednesday's win over Motherwell.
The pair were part of the 2016 Scottish Cup-winning side, with 36-year-old Stevenson also claiming a League Cup winners' medal nine years prior.
"This guy beside me is the ultimate Hibs player for me," Hanlon, 34, said of Stevenson. "He has done it all. For what he has done for the club every single day, he can't be topped."
Speaking of Hanlon, Stevenson added: "I’m not just saying this because he is here, but he has given a lot to this club. He was the best player on the park [on Wednesday] and he has made my job a lot easier over the years."
Left-back Stevenson says a lap of honour round Easter Road following the full-time whistle was an experience he will never forget.
Hanlon echoed that view by saying: "I'm really proud of those scenes at the end with the fans and my family. It will live with me forever."
