Hibernian

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

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Hibernian goalkeeper Jordan Smith says European football next season would "mean everything" to him and his team-mates.

Despite being knocked out of the Scottish Cup by holders Celtic, Smith and the Easter Road side sit third in the Premiership after going 13 league matches unbeaten, a run they will look to protect at Kilmarnock on Saturday.

"Please stick with us, it could end up being a really good season for the club," Smith told the 7000-plus travelling fans at Celtic Park on Sunday.

"This is the level we want to get to. Celtic set the standard. Now we're there [in third] to be caught, it's in our hands. We just need to make sure we do absolutely everything possible to stay in third spot and keep winning games of football."

With Celtic strong favourites to complete another domestic treble, third place in the Premiership would mean guaranteed group stage football in Europe once again.

The thought of that has Smith, who initially signed in the summer from Stockport County as cover for Josef Bursik, pinching himself.

"It would mean everything," said Smith, who has signed a new contract until the summer of 2028.

"That's the position we find ourselves in and that's because of all the hard work that's gone in so far. So for us to be this close and not see it over the line would just be a massive disappointment and a disservice to the hard work that's gone in so far.

And, on his new contract, Smith added: "It was a no- brainer when the club approached me to extend my time here.

"I've made no bones about it, this is probably one of the most enjoyable times of my career.

"Being patient can sometimes be the life of a goalkeeper and I've certainly been that and been rewarded. So, I'm thankful. A younger head might have let it get to his head a bit more but for me it's a case of rewarding what I've done so far and is more of an incentive to go again and just concentrate on present and future performances."

Hibs fans, we asked for your views on Sunday's Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Peter: Disappointing result. I expected more of a hearty fight than this purely defensive performance. We offered nothing going forward. Too many players below par, David Gray should have made his subs earlier - Hibs fans were the best thing on a bad day at the office.

Kenny: A brave performance but when we won the ball we didn't keep it and that was the difference From the game at Easter Road. We didn't make many chances either and of course Celtic are very strong footballing side. We gave the ball away with some loose passing and you can't do that against Celtic.

Ross: If Celtic play like that, no one in Scotland can live with them. Jordan Smith had his best game and was clearly MOTM. All in all a stuffy performance, without offering much threat, but you can't fault the team for lack of effort.

Sandy: So unlucky with the early injury to Nicky Cadden a hugely important player for Hibs. We held our own though and Jordan Smith proved why he was given the longer contract. He was superb. In the end 2-0 was okay as we were running on empty but we can definitely hold our heads high and focus on the league table now.

Bill: The scoreline flatters us, Smith saved us on numerous occasions. Jordan Obita, Jack Iredale and Rocky Bushiri failed to deal with Celtic cut-backs. I dont really want to see Obita in a Hibs shirt again. I hope Nicky Cadden is back soon, we missed him going forward.

Scott: Celtic were sitting back latterly and playing on the counter which in itself is a testament to how well Hibs played in the previous 80 mins. Gray set Hibs up well and if this tie had been in Edinburgh there might well have been a different outcome. This team has plenty of guts and resilience for sure!

Did you take in Hibernian's 2-0 Scottish Cup defeat by Celtic or were you following from home?

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "It's disappointment straight after the game, we've not had this feeling for a long, long time. It's never nice when you lose a game of football and find yourself out of the cup.

"We need to dust ourselves down quickly because our attention has to quickly change towards league form now. We can't dwell on the result.

"The performance itself wasn't through a lack of effort. The players gave us absolutely everything again. When we did have opportunities to hurt Celtic, when we did turn the ball over, we weren't as good as we have been in recent weeks."

And, on Nicky Cadden's injury, Gray said: "It's too early to say exactly what it is, his hamstring tightened up when he was chasing back there."

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Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

A total of 7,045 Hibernian fans made a right racket for 90 minutes at Celtic Park, which had its best domestic atmosphere in quite some time, outside the big derbies with Rangers.

David Gray's men were disciplined, well organised and caused the champions and cup holders a fair few problems. This was a match very much in the balance right until the final, nervous few minutes during which the Leith side were urged forward by cacophonous backing from a following who applauded their players off an honourable defeat.

It's their first defeat in 16 matches, losing only two in 19. That speaks volumes for the progress being made down Easter Road.

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Daizen Maeda put in another energetic performance and scored Celtic's opener against Hibernian but, had it not been for visiting goalkeeper Jordan Smith, the margin of victory would have been greater.

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Hibernian winger Junior Hoilett has revealed he encouraged his former Aberdeen teammate Jamie McGrath to follow him to Easter Road, with McGrath joining on a pre-contract agreement this summer. (Daily Record), external

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Hibs goalkeeper Jordan Smith has signed a new deal with the club, keeping him at Easter Road until the summer of 2028.

Smith joined the club last summer after leaving Stockport County and came into the first team in November after a string of mistakes by fellow keeper Josef Bursik.

The 30-year-old has kept six clean sheets in 19 appearances this season, and has now extended his stay in the Scottish capital.

"We've really enjoyed working with Jordan, and we're delighted he's extended his stay with us," head coach David Gray said.

"He worked hard whilst waiting for his opportunity at the start of the season, and has gone from strength-to-strength since coming into the starting XI.

"Jordan uses his experience well both on and off the pitch, and is a really good influence in the dressing room."

Sporting Director Malky Mackay added: "This deal is excellent news for both Hibs and Jordan, and he deserves it due to his attitude and performances this season.

"He is the type of character that we want in our environment both on and off the field, and is a real experienced professional in the dressing room.

"Work is always going on behind the scenes as we plan the squad from both a short and long-term perspective, and we look forward to seeing Jordan perform for Hibs for years to come."

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David Gray is urging his Hibs team to "change history" when they travel to Celtic Park on Sunday for the Scottish Cup quarter-final.

The current boss became one of the most important figures in the history of the club when he headed a late winner in the 2016 final to take the trophy back to Easter Road for the first time in 114 years.

Hibs have never won at Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup and last triumphed there in the league 15 years ago but they're taking confidence from their 2-1 victory over Brendan Rodgers' men at Easter Road two weeks ago.

"That win helps from a belief point of view," Gray told Hibs TV.

"If you don't believe we can win the game, then there's no point in going along the M8. You have to believe you can do it.

"One thing I'll be saying to the players is that just because we won the last match against them, that doesn't make this game any easier.

"History tells you this is a really tough place to go, I think it was 2010 when a Hibs team last went there and won. It's a real tough test.

"As we've done a number of times this season, we're trying to change history in a positive way. At the start of every season, we have the challenge of lifting a trophy, and to do that we have to go to Celtic Park and win."

Despite Hibs' poor Celtic Park record, the venue will not be quite as intimidating this time round given the Leith side have sold out their 7,000-ticket allocation.

"It's unbelievable," Gray said. "Firstly, well done to the football club for pushing for an increased allocation.

"You will really hear the Hibs fans, they'll be in the corner and behind the goal, and it'll add to the atmosphere. Hopefully we can send them home happy."

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Hibs head coach David Gray wants to send the 7,000-strong away support home happy after their Scottish Cup quarter final tie against Celtic.

Gray's side have lost 11 of their last 12 games at Celtic Park but they will be backed by a sizeable away support, with the Leith side having sold out their 7,000-ticket allocation.

"It's unbelievable," Gray told Hibs TV. "Firstly, well done to the football club for pushing for an increased allocation.

"We're so grateful for the support we get every single week, but to take 7,000 through there is an amazing achievement, and an amazing effort from that number of fans to put their hands in their pocket and support us.

"You will really hear the Hibs fans, they'll be in the corner and behind the goal, and it'll add to the atmosphere. Hopefully we can send them home happy.

"These are the games that the players want to play in and should look forward to playing in. It'll be a really difficult game, but we have to keep this momentum and feel-good atmosphere going."

There is recent encouragement given Hibs beat Celtic 2-1 in the league just two weeks ago, one of many impressive results during their ongoing 15-match unbeaten run.

"That win helps from a belief point of view," Gray added. "If you don't believe we can win the game, then there's no point in going along the M8. You have to believe you can do it.

"At the start of every season, we have the challenge of lifting a trophy, and to do that we have to go to Celtic Park and win."

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Liam Scales misses out for Celtic with a facial injury but Auston Trusty and Callum McGregor are fit after going off with injuries against St Mirren.

James Forrest is building up his fitness after a foot injury, while Paulo Bernardo will return from an ankle injury after the international break.

Hibs captain Joe Newell remains on the sidelines.

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The draw for the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup will take place on Monday after the Livingston v St Johnstone game (19:45 GMT kick-off) on BBC Scotland.

Hearts have already booked their place thanks to a 3-1 win over Dundee.

Aberdeen host Queen's Park on Saturday - live on BBC One Scotland - and Hibs visit holders Celtic on Sunday.

Manchester City have agreed to pay Hibernian £235,000 for 15-year-old Scotland schoolboys goalkeeper Ben Vickery. (Manchester Evening News), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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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.