Hibernian

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is relishing a "great atmosphere" when high-flying Hibs bring 7,000 fans to Parkhead for the Scottish Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

It will be the biggest away support at Celtic Park since 2018 when Rangers cut the Old Firm derby allocation of 7,500, with Celtic responding in kind.

"I think having a number of away supporters is great," Rodgers said.

"Hibs are on a very good run, so the supporters will be buoyed by that as well.

"They'll come and support the team and that will activate our supporters as well, so it should be a great atmosphere.

"You can't dismiss what it means to have away supporters in your ground, because that creates the atmosphere, that creates the rivalry.

"This game will show the passion that is there from both sets of supporters and that will roll on to the pitch, I'm pretty sure, and create for a great atmosphere."

Hibs, currently unbeaten in 15 games, defeated Celtic 2-1 at Easter Road a fortnight ago, albeit the visitors had a late equaliser incorrectly disallowed.

The scoreline of the previous meeting - 3-0 to Celtic at home - didn't tell the whole story either. In that game, Hibs had 14 shots, nine on target and forced goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to make nine saves.

Rodgers is expecting another tough game at Parkhead on Sunday.

"I come away from the game [on 22 February] seeing a team that's very well organised," the Celtic manager said.

"In a different space to what they were at the beginning of the season, very structured in their play in the game and have got some dangerous players.

"The mentality of the team [Celtic], the consistency since then, has been very, very good. We lost that game and we have to take that and learn from it."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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The enormity of Hibs' task on Sunday is highlighted by the fact they have not beaten Celtic at Parkhead in the Scottish Cup since their final success in 1902.

However, on this occasion, they head to Celtic Park having triumphed over the trophy holders and Scottish champions just last month, 2-1 at Easter Road in the Premiership.

That has contributed to a 15-game unbeaten run that has lifted David Gray's side to third in the table and they arrive in Glasgow fuelled by the pride of Sunday's derby win over Hearts.

Celtic, though, have responded to that defeat by Hibs - and their narrow Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich - by thrashing Aberdeen 5-1 and St Mirren 5-2.

Brendan Rodgers' side remain unbeaten at home by a Scottish side since losing to Hearts in December 2023 and have beaten Hibs on their past six visits to Celtic Park, the latest five by an aggregate on 19-4.

If Hibs want to secure a rare consecutive win over the cup holders, they will no doubt have to shackle Daizen Maeda, who has embraced the added responsibility of leading the Celtic line following fellow Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi's exit to pick up the player of the month award.

Maeda is also top scorer in the cup so far this season with four goals - and has three against Hibs this season already too.

• Celtic are unbeaten at home to Hibs in 20 meetings since a 2-1 defeat in January 2010, when Danny Galbraith scored a last-minute winner.

• Hibs lost 2-0 at home to Rangers in the quarter-finals last season and last reached the semis in 2022, when they lost to Hearts.

• Hibs last beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup in March 1986, 4-3 at Easter Road.

• Celtic defeated Hibs 3-1 at Celtic Park in the League Cup in August.

• Hibs last beat Celtic twice in one season in 1992-93.

• Celtic beat Rangers in last season's final to lift the cup for a 42nd time.

• Hibs won the Scottish Cup for a third time in 2016.

What to look out for on Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend.

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"Confident" Hibernian will travel to Celtic Park on Sunday with belief they can reach the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup, assures Lewis Miller.

David Gray's side defeated the cup holders and league leaders fewer than two weeks ago, thanks to Josh Campbell's double, and though Miller says this weekend's meeting will "be more difficult" the team have the "belief we will beat them".

"Obviously it's going to be more difficult and more of a test for us, especially being away but with the confidence and belief that we have, we just have to stay rigid at the back as we're creating chances, week-in, week-out," the Australia international said.

"Everyone's full with confidence and like I said, we're getting chances left, right and centre.

"We've just got to keep that momentum going, and now we have that belief that we can beat them.

"If we keep going on the track that we're going, then anything's possible.

"I haven't won silverware in my career yet, and this is a great chance we've got.

"It's not going to be easy. We don't expect it to be, but we're ready for that challenge and we can't wait for this weekend."

We asked you to tell us the one thing nobody is talking about at Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Phil: The goalkeeper position is still weak. We need competition for the gloves. Jordan Smith has done well, but he doesn't command the box, he's quite short and defenders are having to double up clearing balls the goalie should be coming forward to collect. He looks a bit shy of being exposed and Rocky Bushiri seems to be job sharing with him.

Craig: The fact that we have the chairman's best friend, Malky Mackay, in an undefined role with zero transparency to shareholders and fans, and we pay him a six-figure sum for the privilege. What does he do to justify this?

Jay: The fact that no one is talking about how fantastic Rudi Molotnikov is, he just vanished off of the pitch and teamsheets. He is an excellent player who could go on and be better than Josh Campbell and maybe even move up to a more attacking-minded role. The guy is so young but a player like that is worth so much more and deserves more playing time.

Gillie: Hibs have been a totally different side since Jack Iredale and Bushiri have been in the squad. The biggest difference to Hibs now from the start of the season is the players play like they want to win. There has been a total mindset shift.

Neil: Player and manager contracts. How much of our current team, which is playing as a happy, cohesive unit and finally realising its potential, could or should we hold on to? A canny January window suggests a degree of prudence we previously lacked. Should we spend on retention rather than recruitment?

Sandy: In the summer my fear is a lot of the current side will be retiring or moving on because of contracts/loans ending or be sold. As usual Hibs will be a selling club rather than building the team further. We have the basis with a couple of additions to be a real challenger to the Old Firm. I hope for once we get it right.

Hibernian powerbrokers Ian Gordon and Tim Bezbatchenko have insisted that they never thought about ditching David Gray during a horrific start to the league season, but the first-year head coach did face some "tough questions" before turning things around in spectacular fashion. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray insists his sole focus is to drive Hibs forward amid reported Swansea interest, external in the Easter Road boss.

The English Championship club are without a manager after sacking Luke Williams last month.

"Yeah, I am ambitious, but I think it's just a funny game, isn't it?" said Gray.

"You think back to this season on the whole and where we've been and the line of work we're in. Speculation, people speculating about am I going to stay in a job at the start of the season.

"How quickly things change when you put a good run together and then there's other people talking about your job in another way, in a positive way.

"So, listen, nothing changes from my point of view. I'm 100% focused on what I'm doing because I've got the hardest thing in the world to try and do at the weekend, which is to try and get a game-plan to go to Celtic Park and win. That is all that's on my mind at the minute.

"I'm fully committed to what I'm doing here and I'm 100% behind what we're trying to do here moving forward."

David Gray has warned his players "we haven't achieved anything yet" as Hibs look to prolong their terrific form by taking the scalp of holders Celtic in the Sottish Cup quarter-finals.

The Easter Road side head to Celtic Park on Sunday unbeaten in 15 games, including a 2-1 home victory over Brendan Rodgers' side last month and Sunday's thrilling derby win against Hearts.

"The mindset quickly switches to the cup and I always say at the start of every season you have an opportunity to win a cup here," added Gray.

"Clearly we have a very difficult task ahead of us but the players are going there in a very good place and the confidence and momentum is still there.

"The challenge is to keep moving forward. One thing we won't do is get carried away. We have come a long way in a short period of time but there's still a lot to play for."

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The two form sides in Scotland meet in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Sunday as Celtic host resurgent Hibs.

Treble-chasing Celtic are cruising towards another league title and have already secured the League Cup, while Hibs are unbeaten in 15 outings, including a 2-1 league win at home to Celtic last month.

With 7,000 supporters travelling from the capital to cheers Hibs on against the favourites and holders, it should be a captivating contest.

Neil Lennon is more qualified than most to judge the lie of the land pre-match, having managed both clubs. Here is his verdict:

'Dynamite Celtic's depth the strongest I've seen'

"Celtic are playing against the form team in the country, alongside themselves.

"The fact Rangers aren't in the competition now means that all the other clubs will be looking at an opportunity to get to the final. And obviously they'll want to see Celtic out of it because they've been so dominant.

"St Mirren on Saturday night created a lot of good chances, but Celtic are dynamite. The last half hour on Saturday was some of the best football I've seen from them this season.

"I thought they were magnificent going forward. In terms of the squad depth this season, it's as strong as I've seen it for a long, long time and certainly way above anything else in Scottish football.

"You look at the subs Brendan Rodgers brought on after an hour on Saturday evening - the quality and the speed and just the zest it brought to the team was fantastic to watch."

'Buzzing Hibs have real belief'

"They have had an unbelievable week - beating Celtic, beating Dundee United and winning the derby. The place is buzzing. It reminds me of my time there back in 2018.

"David Gray has got the crowd with him and the team are responding. They're well organised and there's a real belief about them.

"Celtic at home are imperious and it's going to be a tough ask at any stage of the season. But with the feelgood factor around Hibs at the minute, there has to be a quiet confidence that they can compete.

"But you've got to take your chances. Gray has got Martin Boyle playing really well at the minute and that's really important. For me, he's the best player when he's fit and firing.

"I think Nicky Cadden has been a revelation on the left-hand side as well. And I watched them against Celtic, I was at the game, I thought they were really impressive in their organisation. And they played the game perfectly, as good as you could against Celtic."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray has been speaking to the media before Hibs face Celtic in the Scottish Cup this weekend.

Here are the key points from the Hibs boss:

• On speculation linking him with the vacant Swansea job, Gray says he is "ambitious" but remains "100% focused" on Hibs.

• The derby win over Hearts was a "brilliant ending to a fantastic week" and Gray adds: "You need to enjoy the moments because they don't come around all the time. They are special moments."

• But he stresses Hibs have "not achieved anything" yet and the mindset has switched to pursuing cup success.

• Gray says he always had belief in the players and "that's where the rewards are coming from now, that we managed to stick together during the difficult times".

• It's a "good wee omen" that the last time Hibs defeated Celtic in Glasgow in the Scottish Cup was 1902 and they went on to lift the trophy that year.

• Hibs can take "confidence and belief" from beating Celtic at home last month but they "by no means think it's going to be any easier" at Parkhead.

• Gray insists it will take "a massive performance, a real collective performance from absolutely everybody, to give us the best chance" of knocking out the holders.

• Scottish Cup glory is a realistic target and "everything we've set out to do as a football club is still achievable".

• No new injury concerns. Joe Newell remains out.

Hibs powerbrokers haven't been known for showing patience with managers.

So when David Gray was toiling to get the team firing in the opening months of the season, the easy option would have been to cut him loose.

Instead, they held their nerve - and that show of faith is being vindicated. After propping up the table with one win in the opening 14 league games, Hibs have rocketed up to third with 10 victories - and just one defeat - in the next 15.

From the club's worst worst top-flight start in 43 years to their best unbeaten run - 13 league games - in 47 years.

It's a hot streak that incudes back-to-back derby wins over Hearts, a draw with Rangers and home victory over Celtic, who Gray's side - unbeaten in 15 games across all competitions - visit in the Scottish Cup last eight this weekend.

"This Hibs hierarchy has not had much praise in the last couple of years, and rightly so because they've gone through far too many managers and signed some players that just haven't performed on big money," says Mark Atkinson, sports editor of The Scotsman, on the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"But they were faced with a big decision in November and they gave Gray a vote of confidence and three games really to turn it around.

"The first one didn't go very well because they lost to Dundee heavily, but they actually played quite well. And then they drew with Aberdeen, the Rocky Bushiri goal that basically changed the world and then you go and win at Motherwell. Ever since then, only one team has beaten them, Celtic.

"You've got to remember the Hibs hierarchy, they've got Ian Gordon, the Gordon family, his mother Kit, and then you've also got the Bill Foley, the Black Knight FC group that are investing in the club.

"They all sat down and they all had pretty detailed discussions about where they wanted the club to go and they eventually decided to give Gray a little bit more time because they just felt they'd made too many changes. They also believed Gray still had the team onside and if you look at him in that run, the players were still playing for the head coach.

"Gordon, when he appointed Gray, said he wanted culture at the club, he wanted a person that would come in and instil good ethics and good practice at the Hibs training centre, and that's what's happened. That show of faith has permeated right through the team.

"It's not just the board that deserves credit, everyone at Hibs deserves credit for the way they turned it round, but Gordon and his fellow directors will take an element of satisfaction in going, you know what, we didn't do what a lot of clubs normally do and pull the trigger."

Hibernian head coach David Gray has emerged as a contender for the vacancy with Championship club Swansea City after the 36-year-old Scot oversaw a dramatic upturn in fortunes at Easter Road. (Alan Nixon on Patreon), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

If back in October I had suggested David Gray would be a serious contender for manager of the year then I'm pretty sure I would have been carted away.

Hibs were floundering under their new head coach, a club hero who everyone wanted to do well but was struggling big time.

But as we all know football can be a very strange game. A change in system was forced upon him and all of a sudden things began to change.

Snatching a point in November against Aberdeen when it looked as if all three would be heading north to Pittodrie was certainly the catalyst for Hibs' upturn in fortunes.

Since that game, only Celtic have got the better of Gray's side and if the visitors had taken their chances at Parkhead the outcome would have been very different.

The league leaders were then beaten 2-1 at Easter Road in February, before a derby victory against Hearts last time out lifted spirits further still. It is now 15 matches unbeaten for Gray's resurgent side, who have climbed to third in the league table - a scarcely believable notion just months ago.

Sunday's trip to Celtic Park should hold no fears then, especially with an allocation of 7,000 travelling supporters cheering them on.

Celtic on their game should win, but this is cup football and anything can happen.

Hibs are on a remarkable unbeaten run at present, one which has catapulted them up to third in the Scottish Premiership and left their poor start to the season as a distant memory.

They have beaten both league-leaders Celtic and Edinburgh rivals Hearts in recent weeks, and travel to Parkhead for a mouth-watering Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday.

You know your club best, so what is the one thing regarding Hibs - good or bad - nobody is talking about?

Let us know., external

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

I was on BBC Radio four months back when the clamour for the Hibs manager's head was at a crescendo, but I refused to agree that club legend David Gray should be sacked and not just because of that legendary status.

Looking at their start, they had to cope with a number of injuries to key players. On top of that, there was a run of almost unprecedented bad luck. They were ahead and lost last-minute goals time and again and they had a slew of red cards in games that they would otherwise have won.

The manager had to sort these problems out, but they weren't insurmountable and the fact they were often the better side when losing convinced me the essentials were all in place, they just needed time.

Having said that, I wouldn't have expected them to go on a run of one defeat in 18 (away at Celtic), rocketing from last to third, beating Celtic and then Hearts at home in quick succession while continuing to improve.

Catching Celtic and Rangers is just about impossible in Scotland, their financial power precludes that most seasons, but European football is a real possibility now.

More importantly for the uninitiated, if you haven't heard the Hibs fans celebrating by Singing "Sunshine on Leith" by The Proclaimers (Two Hibees like myself), then what a treat you have in store.

The rendition (above) after beating Hearts this week brought a tear to many an eye... not just Hibs fans.

I still hold that it is the greatest football song ever, even surpassing You'll Never Walk Alone. Though I may be a little biased. Joyous times.

Director Ian Gordon says Hibernian have had about 50 applications for the vacant chief executive role and that the board is focusing on someone who can get a handle on the business side of the club and end their financial losses. (Daily Record)

Former Hibernian boss Lee Johnson is set to be announced as the new manager of Belgian side Lommel, who are part of the City Football Group which owns Manchester City. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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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.

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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.