Hibernian

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Few folks know the type of person David Gray is better than Alan Stubbs.

The pair were, respectively, manager and captain - and goalscorer - when Hibernian ended their Scottish Cup hoodoo in 2016, finally winning the oldest trophy in association football for the first time in 114 years.

It's the game where Gray was affectionately christened 'Sir David' after his header secured the victory against Rangers at a sun-kissed Hampden.

The adulation and praise he garnered for that goal was not his style. Nor are the rightful plaudits he's receiving now for steering Hibs from the doldrums to delight from the dugout.

But that hasn't stopped his former gaffer heaping the praise on his shoulders.

"I wanted Dave to turn it around because I think he's a really good guy," Stubbs said.

"He's someone I've got a lot of respect for, so I wanted the turnaround for him and obviously the club.

"He deserves a lot of credit but knowing David, he won't take it. He's the kind of guy who will take a step back in terms of letting the players and everybody else take the credit, but he deserves credit - he just needs to smile a bit more when he wins."

One to never get too high with the highs or too low with the lows, Gray ought to have shown signs of a grin throughout this 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions his side are on.

At the heart of the that has been summer signing Nicky Cadden.

Once again on Sunday in the Edinburgh derby, Cadden's cracking crosses and corners were on show. His delivery is deadly and imperative to Hibs' recent success.

In the Premiership, no team has scored more goals (20) than Hibs from set-pieces. Nicky Cadden is often hovering over them.

Having created 41 chances throughout the campaign, he's been one of Gray's key men.

Should a few more of his superb deliveries be met by team-mates, the manager's smile make a more frequent appearance.

Image source, Opta

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

The Hibs juggernaut keeps on rolling with a convincing derby win putting the cherry on top of the cake that saw Hibs take full points from Celtic, Dundee United and now Hearts.

It's a phenomenal time to be a Hibee - not since 1949 had a Hibernian side gone 13 league games unbeaten, a feat achieved last weekend when Jack Iredale's stunning strike flew into the net to win the derby.

As we looked forward to welcoming Celtic, very few Hibs fans would have been thinking we would push our way into third place considering we then had a tricky trip to Tannadice before Hearts came calling to Easter Road.

But a fine 3-1 win on the road (despite Jim Goodwin's protests about a goal that DID appear to strike the hand of United striker Sam Dalby) and Sunday's derby victory sees Hibs undefeated in 15 games across all competitions and occupying the 'best of the rest' slot in the table.

David Gray was awarded manager of the month, and at this rate he'll be a prime candidate for manager of the season which, frankly, makes mugs of those of us who predicted his time was up after that defeat in Dundee a few months back.

It's the most impressive turnaround I can remember in my time watching Hibs. I absolutely love this side, the players give everything for the jersey and the fans give them everything back.

Every player and coach deserved to bask in the Leith sunshine on Sunday as the stadium (or three quarters of it, given the speed at which the away ended emptied) serenaded them with Sunshine on Leith for the second time in eight days.

It's a trip to Celtic in the cup this weekend, and being honest, the chances are they will bring an incredible run to a shuddering halt, as they did with Aberdeen earlier in the season.

But frankly, I don't care - it's rare that any visiting side will win at Parkhead. Sunday's derby win was far more important and I'm certain this team will take any potential setback in its stride and go again when we get back to league action.

Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers Podcast, external

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Jack Iredale is still "enjoying the moment" of netting the winner for Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby, admitting "I don't think I'm quite back down to earth".

The defender secured the win for David Gray's side in quite superb fashion, the latest moment in an "incredible" few months for the club.

The Hibees are now unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions and the latest is a game that will "live with me forever," says Iredale.

"I've probably replayed it more times than I care to admit, either on my phone or in my head," the 28-year-old told BBC Scotland of reliving his super strike.

"I don't think I'm quite back down to earth, but I'm enjoying the moment.

"It's right up there, honestly. The goal was good enough, but I think the occasion, obviously, with the derby win adds to it.

"It's something that will definitely live with me forever."

When asked how his ever level-headed head coach reacted to his goal, Iredale joked it even brought a smile out of David Gray.

"He was actually smiling after the game, which was nice," he added.

"He's not got too high with the highs and not got too low with the lows, but it was definitely an occasion that he knew that we had to enjoy, and I think he enjoyed himself as well."

Watch and listen more from Jack Iredale on Reporting Scotland tonight

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

The Hibernian juggernaut rolls on.

The unbeaten run continues with a mighty Edinburgh derby victory over Hearts, and two of David Gray's players in my team of the week.

A left-footed moment of glory, worthy of winning any derby, from Jack Iredale, means the defender has to be in my team.

As does this man. What a huge player Nicky Cadden has been in this Hibernian revival. Such a danger down the left and a key part of why Hibs gained the city bragging rights.

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"I'm speechless."

Jack Iredale wasn't the only one left lost for words in Leith when he sensationally struck, what proved to be, the winner in the Edinburgh derby.

On one of his furthest ventures forward at Easter Road, the defender let rip with a rasping, curving cracker to leave Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon without a chance.

"It was probably the highest I got up all day and I thought, if there's a day to score a goal like that, then why not today?," Iredale told club media.

"It's an emotion you can't sum up. It's such a special feeling to be able to share something like that with the club and with the fans as well.

"I'm struggling to describe it at the minute, I'm still a bit speechless, really.

"It's obviously, a massive, massive day, a special day for the club and really happy to be contributing in that way."

Thanks to his contribution, seconds after the full-time whistle peeped, Sunshine on Leith was belted around the ground for the second weekend running, after Celtic were defeated to week prior. And it's a song Iredale won't get sick of.

"It's so special to hear it," he added. "Some of the lads have said that they've gone quite a while without hearing that song, and then, obviously, we've managed to do it twice in a week.

"You'll never get used to something like that."

We asked for your views on Hibs' 2-1 Edinburgh Derby win against Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Gordon: Most pleased for Sir David Gray, a true club legend who has taken his leadership skills from the pitch to managing the squad. Simply phenomenal Hibs! While I'm worth, my room on this earth, I will be with you.

Bert: In November I was very critical of the club coach and players. The way that they have responded is heroic, with everyone giving full effort and commitment. Been a Hibee since 1947 and watched the Famous 5 until moving to NZ. Always a Hibs fan.

Neil: Great to see Jack Iredale rewarded for the amount of graft and commitment he puts in, he's been great for us. Totally deserving of the win once we settled into the game and nice not to be the subject of any VAR controversy.

John: Absolutely amazing when compared with the early season form. It's now really exciting football played by a team who all work for each other. Gray and his backroom staff deserve all their success, as do the board for standing by them in the dark ages earlier in the season.

Aidan: It's stunning. Let's make this tremendous run of form count for something at the end of the season. Dare to dream, fellow Hibees!

Daryl: We're definitely in a place now where we could compete and beat anyone, but we're still in a place where anyone can beat us, don't get carried away, don't count your chickens until they hatch.

John: A few nervy moments in the first half but we totally dominated the second 45 and were worthy winners. tis team has a far superior attitude under Gray than of the previous managers of the past few years. Every player gets a pass mark.

Darren: On cloud nine! What a fantastic run we're on. First half to forget but then we bossed them second half and fully deserved the three points with quite a wonderful strike. Proud to be a Hibee.

Gordon: We are a team again. Gray and his team have worked hard to make this happen, and the goals were superb.

Chris: Great result, but the best bit is that we have completely kicked the habit of letting games go in the last 15 minutes. Gray has to take all the credit, there are still a number of players in the squad that were bad recruits but he is getting the best out of a strong starting XI and has made a few inconsistent performers much better.

Martin: Absolutely outstanding, this Hibs team are full of soldiers! Gray has built an unbelievable camaraderie within, 15 games unbeaten and now into third place, great times!

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• Hibernian recorded back-to-back league victories against Hearts for the first time since 2009.

• David Gray's side are now unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions, and have only suffered one defeat in 18.

• Martin Boyle has scored eight goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Hibernian player.

• Hearts have scored in their last six games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of seven games from 21 September 2024 to 2 November 2024.

• Jorge Grant scored his second goal in the Premiership this season, after netting against Kilmarnock on 25 January.

Watch all the highlights as Hibernian edge city rivals Hearts 2-1 in the Edinburgh Derby.

Hibs fans, were you at Easter Road to see your side's derby win over Hearts or were you following along from home?

Either way, we want your thoughts. Have your say on the game., external

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Hibs head coach David Gray: "Much more like ourselves second half and on our second-half performance we thoroughly deserve to win the game.

"I thought the first half was a bit edgy, a few individuals a wee bit nervy and we probably didn't execute the gameplan enough.

"We managed to show more composure second half, got the play into wide areas and it really gave us a foothold.

"I was right behind it. It's a fantastic hit and a goal well worthy of winning a derby. It's something that will live with him for the rest of his life. It needed to be a really good strike because Craig Gordon's a top goalkeeper. A special moment for a special game.

"The players need to enjoy these moments and the scenes after the game, the connection that's building all the time. We need to keep moving forwards but it's certainly one for the fans.

"We need to cement a place in the top six. There's not going to be a game between now and the split where there's nothing on it. The quicker we can cement our place in the top six, the more points we can pick up, gives us a real chance to then start moving forwards."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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The full-time scenes at Easter Road reflected the high everyone associated with Hibs are on just now.

Sunshine on Leith was belted out again with most home fans staying to celebrate with the players, who stood arm-in-arm, soaking it all in.

David Gray's name was also chanted in unison - and little wonder given the scale of the turnaround he has orchestrated.

From the foot of the Premiership to third - the form team in the country, who seem capable of positive results from any position.

They plan to take 7,000 fans to Celtic Park for next weekend's Scottish Cup quarter-final. The fanbase sense something special happening under Gray - and who can blame them?

Against their city rivals, they were below-par in the opening 45 minutes. There were some shaky moments at the back and several passes failed to find their mark against a well-organised Hearts side.

However, this team are not used to being second best and they went up a gear after the break.

Nicky Cadden's delivery from the left has been a feature of this long unbeaten run and he drove standards down that flank, creating two or three opportunities from nothing.

Hibs penned Hearts in their own half and, with just over 15 minutes remaining, they got their just rewards.

Jack Iredale will likely never score a better goal. It was a moment that will live long in the memory for both him and all Hibs fans.

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Hibs head coach David Gray has been named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for February

Gray's side took 10 points from a possible 12 in February, including wins over Aberdeen, Celtic and Dundee United.

Hibs are fourth in the league table before Sunday's Edinburgh derby against Hearts.

"This is very much a reflection on how well the group has done," Gray said.

"It's been a difficult month because of the fixtures we've had, but to have the kind of points return we've had is a reflection of everyone's hard work.

"I'd to thank the players and all the staff for their efforts."

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David Gray is urging Hibs to embrace the pressure of Sunday's Edinburgh derby clash against Hearts.

The capital clubs face off having both recovered from dismal starts to the season - Hibs are unbeaten in 14 while Hearts have lost just one of their last 11 games.

Gray's side were held to a 1-1 draw at Easter Road but narrowly beat Neil Critchley's side 2-1 at Tynecastle on Boxing Day.

"You know what it means to both sets of supporters and you want to be the team on top," the Hibs boss said.

"I know that more than anybody growing up in the city and having played in these games, they're fantastic games to be involved in.

"And now sitting on the other side, as a manager, I'm thoroughly enjoying them as well.

"These are the games you kind of wish you were playing in, to be honest. As a player, I thoroughly enjoyed them and the message to the players is that these are the games you need to look forward to.

"From everything that goes with it this weekend, from where the two teams are, the form they're in, the form we're in, what's at stake for everyone involved, it's a fantastic opportunity, a great game to look forward to."

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• After their 2-1 win on Boxing Day, Hibs could win successive top-fight meetings with rivals Hearts for the first time since May 2009 under Mixu Paatelainen.

• Hearts have only lost one of their last nine away games against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership (W4 D4), a 1-0 defeat in April 2023 under Robbie Neilson.

• Hibs are unbeaten in 12 league games (W8 D4), their longest run in the Scottish Premiership since May 2018 (also 12) – a streak which was ended by a defeat to Hearts (2-1).

• Hearts have won four of their past five league games (L1), including both of their past two. They last won three in a row in the Scottish Premiership in February 2024 (run of six).

• Only Celtic (17) and Aberdeen (12) have had more goals scored by substitutes (excl. own goals) in the Scottish Premiership this season than Hibs (11), who had two such goals against Dundee United last time out.

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Hibernian pair Elie Youan and Dylan Levitt are both back in contention after injury but captain Joe Newell is out.

Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin is set to remain sidelined with concussion, while defenders Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley (both hamstring) and Frankie Kent (quad) are still out.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibs head coach David Gray says his side's impressive form provides a "brilliant opportunity" to finish the Scottish Premiership season on a high and secure European football.

The Easter Road club have put their torrid start behind them with a 14-match unbeaten run and are just one point behind Aberdeen in third.

They take on Edinburgh rivals Hearts on Sunday, who themselves have shot up the table into the top six with a strong run of results.

Hibs won the last meeting of the sides 2-1 at Tynecastle on Boxing Day, and Gray says his team are riding the crest of a wave heading into the much-anticipated derby, having beaten Celtic and Dundee United in their past two matches.

Sunshine on Leith was sung proudly by the Easter Road crowd after the Celtic victory, while the entire squad celebrated with the sizeable away following at Tannadice on Wednesday.

"We're talking about it a lot, that togetherness," Gray said. "A lot of that was built on the poor start, constantly being questioned.

"When you see the scenes - Sunshine on Leith, winning at Tynecastle for the first time in five years was huge, even just the scenes at Dundee United at the full-time whistle. Everybody running directly to the fans, you really feel it.

"We're seeing that in the performances as well - subs coming on and affecting the game. That helps with winning games.

"We can't go into the derby in a better place than we are, but nothing changes in terms of what we need to achieve moving forwards."

Gray won't let his players rest of their laurels though with just five games to go until the split.

"[The run of form has] been brilliant," he said. "We've given ourselves a brilliant opportunity because we've had to go on that run. You look at how tight the table still is, it just shows you how difficult that run is.

"We need to keep moving forward, keep progressing because we've still got a lot to do and there's still a lot of huge games before the split. Once we see where we are, we can start looking up the way from there."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibs boss David Gray has been talking in the build-up to Sunday's Edinburgh derby against Hearts.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Gray says the fine form of both sides is "irrelevant" going into a derby and he is relishing a "fantastic game to look forward to".

• Hibs' 14-game unbeaten run gives them a "brilliant opportunity" to finish the season on a high. Gray wants his team to keep improving and ramp it up in the five matches before the split. He stressed their next target is to catch third-place Aberdeen.

• The Hibs boss is proud of his team for showing their character at Tannadice in midweek to win and and keep fighting to the end having gone a goal down.

• He challenged his players to enjoy the derby and says these are the games you miss after you retire because of the atmosphere and what it means to the city - the memories "live with you forever".

• The team that can be "calm in the chaos" tends to come out on top on derby day. Gray says you have to have the right mentality to thrive in these games.

• He praised Junior Hoilett's professionalism, his "calmness and composure", and says the Canada forward wants to play more minutes but still sets a brilliant example to younger players.

• Eilie Youan and Dylan Levitt have trained and are available for selection. Joe Newell remains sidelined.