Hibernian

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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There's a lot on the line at Easter Road as Hibernian aim to go a full 12 months without a home defeat in the league, while every game is big right now for Rangers as they bid to claw back ground after a dismal start to the season.

Hibs have won two in a row after being hamstrung by careless draws and David Gray's side are unbeaten in their past three Premiership meetings with Rangers.

However, the Hibees faithful have not celebrated a top-flight success at home against Rangers since September 2006 and they did surrender rather meekly at Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup last month.

In Sunday's 2-1 victory at Aberdeen, Hibs should have been out of sight before conceding in the dying embers.

The defence appears more solid now Grant Hanley has had a run of four successive starts and record signing Thibault Klidje is looking to score for the third game running but there is still a nagging feeling Gray should be getting more from an array of exciting attacking talent.

There were positive signs for new boss Rohl as Rangers finally delivered a first home league win of the campaign against Kilmarnock.

Rangers played with greater tempo and tenacity and there were potentially significant goals for Danilo and Youssef Chermiti, two players in grave need of a confidence boost.

Rohl would love to end a club record run of 24 competitive away games without a clean sheet but seems likely to place more emphasis on the other end of the pitch.

These two served up a 3-3 and a 2-2 in Edinburgh last term and another end-to-end thriller would not come as any surprise.

Read all the midweek Premiership picks

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Hibernian defender Warren O'Hora is doubtful with a shoulder issue while Dylan Levitt is out until after the international break after having his appendix removed.

Rudi Molotnikov (ankle), Joe Newell (groin) and Alasana Manneh (hamstring) are also still missing.

Rangers attacker Oliver Antman is available again after missing the Kilmarnock game with illness.

Long-term absentees Rabbi Matondo (knee), Dujon Sterling (Achilles) and Kieran Dowell remain out.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray is demanding a huge improvement from Hibs' previous performance against Rangers when the sides meet at Easter Road on Wednesday night.

Hibs were beaten 2-0 at Ibrox in the League Cup quarter-final last month during Russell Martin's shortlived tenure and now face an Ibrox side helmed by Danny Rohl, who takes charge for just the third time.

"We've obviously not got a lot to go off," the Hibs boss said about preparations for their midweek meeting.

"Rohl won't have had a lot of time on the grass with the new team. We're guarding against players that are off the back of a good win.

"They've changed a couple of systems now, so probably two different shapes. Within that, we know whatever shape or system he plays, they're a good side. They've got good players.

"We're very much looking at our own level of performance, looking at the last time we played against them and how can we improve from that performance.

"I don't think we played anywhere near the level we can.

"And certainly, as a result of that, we didn't get anything from the game. So for us to get a result tomorrow night, we know what we need to do.

"We've worked on our gameplan to try and go and win the game and that's what I'm concentrating on more than anything."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray has been speaking to the media before Hibs host Rangers in the Premiership on Wednesday night.

Here are the key lines:

• After Brendan Rodgers resigned as Celtic boss on Monday night, Gray says: "I woke up to that this morning. Nothing really surprises you in football. There's been a lot of noise around the Old Firm and everything that comes with that... but it's something that directly doesn't affect us and what we're doing. My focus is all about Rangers at the moment."

• Hibs occupy third place but Gray says the league is so tight that things can quickly change.

• He adds: "We've been an example of that in the last week. Back-to-back wins and what that's done for us, put us up into third place."

• Gray is unsure what system Rangers will play under Danny Rohl but insists they have "good players" and are coming off the back of a "good win" over Kilmarnock.

• He adds: "We've worked on our gameplan to try and go and win the game. And that's what I'm concentrating on more than anything."

• The shoulder problem that forced Warren O'Hora off at Pittodrie is "nothing too significant" but Dylan Levitt has had his appendix out and is sidelined until after the international break, while Rudi Molotnikov is facing a lay-off of up to eight weeks with an ankle injury.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Thibault Klidje is finally making his mark at Hibs.

The record signing has had to bide his time as David Gray slowly bled him into the team, but with goals in his past two starts, including a player-of-the-match performance against Livingston, the hitman is showing why Hibs splashed the cash to get him.

Klidje's goal against Aberdeen put Hibs on track for a vital three points on the road, and despite Gray's side passing up a load of great chances to put the game to bed, the boss will be delighted to put back-to-back league wins together to hold third place in the league.

To make it three in a row we'll have to get the better of Rangers at Easter Road on Wednesday night. It's a mouthwatering game with Hibs bang in form and Rangers on the back of a win over Kilmarnock under their new manager.

A home win would widen the gap on our visitors to five points and that has to be the motivation for the team.

If we can get our shooting boots on and create even half the chances we did against Aberdeen, then there's no reason why we can't get the victory.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Sportscene pundits Scott Allan and Neil McCann dissect how Hibs exposed Aberdeen in the Leith side's 2-1 win at Pittodrie on Sunday.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Thibault Klidje: There is a razor sharpness about Klidje and a sense that there is even more to come which makes him a hugely exciting player to watch at Hibs. The record signing took his goal superbly well against Aberdeen.

We asked for your views on Hibernian's 2-1 win against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

David: A very professional performance from Hibs and a great platform now in place to push on and beat Rangers on Wednesday.

Tim: Typical of Hibs to give us a nervous last three minutes after being so superior throughout the match - conceding in injury time is our worst habit. But plenty to like about the performance, both defensively and in attack. A well-balanced side with a strong bench.

Gordon: Another good three points for Hibs. Pittodrie always a difficult place to go irrespective of where Aberdeen are in the table, but please learn to put the ball in the back of the net and Martin Boyle learning to stay onside would help. Grant Hanley again solid at the back and Thibault Klidje also played particularly well together with Josh Mulligan and Jamie McGrath putting in good performances.

Sandy: First class team performance with Dan Barlaser man of the match. Raphael Sallinger is looking a really fine goalkeeper and had a great game. All round Hibs are looking ready now for the SPFL challenges ahead. Well played lads.

Laurence: Good to get an away win but if we'd taken our chances it would have been five or six. Third in the table but can't stop thinking about the draws with Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Falkirk, plus the injury-time goal against Hearts. A win on Wednesday against Rangers will solidify things and we can look upwards with confidence. It's a big game.

Alan: Good win today and an important one. Mind you should have been easier with the chances created. Think Klidje will only get better and better. Big game Wednesday and need a statement win like Hearts today.

Watch all the highlights as Hibernian move up to third in the Scottish Premiership by inflicting more pain on struggling Aberdeen.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "Delighted with the result firstly, difficult place to come. Players were fantastic, deserved the three points. All in all, we fully deserved the win. Delighted with that.

"We can only control our level, we selected a team to be on the front foot, aggressive and I thought that worked well. History tells you this is a hard place to come and win."

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Elie Youan's late goal moved Hibernian up to third place in the Scottish Premiership as David Gray's side ended their poor run of away form and consigned struggling Aberdeen to another defeat.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.

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David Gray doesn't expect European travels to weaken Aberdeen on Sunday, as the Hibs boss prepares to to travel to Pittodrie.

Aberdeen were on the sore side of a 6-0 thrashing to AEK Athens on Thursday, while Hibs come into the game in good form having put Livingston to the sword last weekend.

"I think it's something we've experienced ourselves, having played in Europe on a Thursday night," said Gray.

"But Aberdeen have developed a squad knowing they were going to be playing Thursday, Sunday, so they've got a really good, strong squad, regardless of what 11 they put out."

Hibs had to deal with European qualifiers earlier in the season, although they fell at the final hurdle in the Conference League play-off to Legia Warsaw.

That blow seemed to affect Hibs, who went winless in six after that disappointment, before the win against Livingston.

"I think the biggest thing is always about the mentality going into the game," Gray added. "They're all fit players, as are our players, they're all fit, strong, able to play two, three games a week, no problem. You look at the modern-day athlete, they can all do that.

"It's about the mentality going into it. And we certainly go into the game in a really good place after last week, and we need to take the confidence from that and go and make sure we do what we need to do to come back with three points."

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Aberdeen had Emmanuel Gyamfi and Sivert Heltne Nilsen missing for Thursday's Europa League defeat at AEK Athens. Kristers Tobers (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Hibernian midfielder Jamie McGrath has trained this week after recovering from an Achilles problem and is fit to play against his former club.

Rudi Molotnikov picked up a knock in the Uefa Youth League and will be assessed. Joe Newell is close to a return from groin trouble while Alasana Manneh (hamstring) is still missing.

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• Aberdeen's Jesper Karlsson has created more chances from open play (13) than any player in the Scottish Premiership this season. Despite this, the Sweden forward is yet to record an assist in the competition.

• Hibernian have only won one of their past seven away league games (D3 L3), triumphing 2-1 at Dundee on matchday one this season.

• Aberdeen have won their past two league games without conceding; they last won three in a row in November 2024 and last did so while also keeping a clean sheet each time in May 2024 – when the third game was a 4-0 win over Hibs.

• Hibs have won just three of their past 18 league visits to Aberdeen (D5 L10), although two of those have come in their latest four (D1 L1).

• After their 1-0 victory in April, Aberdeen are aiming to win back-to-back league meetings with Hibs for the first time since November 2020 (three in a row).

Hibernian duo Alasana Manneh and Joe Newell are nearing a return to action. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Winger Nicky Cadden jokes Hibs head coach David Gray is not the only one he has to please, with his father also adept at delivering the hairdryer treatment. (Record), external

Cadden refers to twin brother and Hibs team-mate Chris as "the golden child" in their family. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Midfielder Nicky Cadden wants Hibs to show their winning mentality and "dominate games" as they head to Pittodrie eyeing back-to-back wins.

David Gray's men secured a first win in seven games in style last weekend by thrashing Livingston 4-0.

Cadden wants to maintain that intensity against an Aberdeen side reeling from a club record 6-0 European loss to AEK Athens.

"Getting the result on Saturday was very good and the performance was good," the 29-year-old said.

"That's the way we want to play, we want to dominate games.

"We know we're a good team and we've only lost one league game this year, albeit a few draws.

"When you look back, we should have won more but the team hasn't changed, we're just as bright and happy as always.

"The team wants to win games of football. The changing room is full of winners.

"It'll be a tough game against Aberdeen. They've had a shaky start but they're now picking up some good results.

"We're under no illusions it's going to be tough, especially going up to Pittodrie but hopefully we can build on our performances from last year against them and we'll come down the road with a good result."

Hibernian head coach David Gray wants forward Kieron Bowie "to get in the box more". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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• Aberdeen's Jesper Karlsson has created more chances from open play (13) than any player in the Scottish Premiership this season. Despite this, the Sweden forward is yet to record an assist in the competition.

• Hibs have only won one of their past seven away league games (D3 L3), triumphing 2-1 at Dundee on matchday one this season.

• Aberdeen have won their past two league games without conceding; they last won three in a row in November 2024 and last did so while also keeping a clean sheet each time in May 2024 – when the third game was a 4-0 win over Hibs.

• Hibs have won just three of their past 18 league visits to Aberdeen (D5 L10), although two of those have come in their latest four (D1 L1).

• After their 1-0 victory in April, Aberdeen are aiming to win back-to-back league meetings with Hibs for the first time since November 2020 (three in a row).

Claire Thomson
BBC Sport Scotland

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David Gray says there are "no excuses" as Hibs look to use their rout of Livingston as the launchpad for a spree of wins.

The Easter Road club entered the international break following a late defeat against rivals Hearts - their first league loss of the season - but bounced back by beating Livingston 4-0 to end a six-game winless streak.

Hibs now face Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen on Sunday, who rose off the bottom of the table last weekend and are eyeing a third straight league victory.

"I got the reaction I wanted. It was almost a complete performance, a clean sheet and four goals at home, so really good," said Hibs boss Gray.

"It's now about building on that. Going into the international break, we used it as a reset so there are no excuses now, we need to move forward and start putting wins on the board.

"It was really good to start with three points at home as we gear up to a tough test on Sunday, but a game to really look forward to.

"It's easy to say once it's happened that I feel a win was coming, but the level of performance has been good.

"We've spoken about the chances we've created but not taken, we've missed out on opportunities and not killed games off.

"It was really pleasing to see them take those chances, it gives the players confidence and belief.

"Aberdeen have developed a really strong squad that are starting to click together as a team so it will be a difficult game.

"We know we're a good side and we'll take the confidence from the weekend to go up there and hopefully come away with three points."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

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Hibs delivered what the fans craved - a 90-minute performance.

It was back to winning ways last weekend and with it came a display that sent the support home happy. Livingston will be glad to have left Edinburgh having only conceded four goals.

Thibault Klidje - the club's record signing - led the line superbly, taking advantage of a rare start to show David Gray what he's capable of.

Klidje's goal was a thing of beauty and he terrorised the Livi defence the whole time he was on the pitch.

Gray now has another selection headache. He has swapped out Jordan Smith and Rocky Bushiri, two standouts last season, in favour of Raphael Sallinger and Scotland Hall of Famer Grant Hanley, and now needs to decide whether Martin Boyle stays on the bench to give Klidje a run of games.

It's the sort of problem a manager would want to have and Gray has shown previously he is not afraid to put noses out of joint if it's best for the team.

We'll see with his team selection against Aberdeen what his thoughts are for the forward position.

A change back to the 3-5-2 system that served Hibs so well last season paid off on Saturday and this too should hopefully see Hibs get back on track for the rest of the season. All in all, a cracking weekend for the Hibees.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external