Hibernian

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

You'll struggle to see a more bonkers game of football than Hibs' 3-3 draw with Rangers.

We went from the ridiculous to the sublime and back, several times, throughout a pulsating 90 minutes where the Hibs fans went from dreading a drubbing to leaving the ground wondering how we hadn't won.

We got off to a nightmare start with some calamitous defending, with Lewis Miller and Rocky Bushiri the most notable culprits in the early exchanges, and were duly punished by Rangers' Hamza Igamane, who helped himself to two of the easiest goals he'll score this season.

It looked for all the world like Hibs were going to be on the end of a hiding, and folk around me were talking about leaving when the inevitable third went in.

However, David Gray's side had other ideas. Having played their way back into the game, Hibs pulled a goal back through Martin Boyle before half-time.

Hibs were like a team possessed in the second half. Chances came and went but Boyle notched his second goal from the penalty spot after Josh Campbell was brought down by Ianis Hagi.

Philippe Clement questioned the decision, as he did Hibs' penalty in the corresponding fixture at Ibrox earlier in the season. One might half-jokingly suggest it's more the rarity of the Glasgow side conceding penalties that causes the confusion, rather than the incidents themselves. Not me, though.

Rangers regained the lead as Igamane notched his hat-trick following more sloppy defending, but we would have the last laugh as Rocky Bushiri powered home an equaliser as full-time loomed.

It was chaotic, bonkers, thrilling stuff at Easter Road, a great advert for Scottish football.

The Hibs players gave absolutely everything to take something from the game, a reflection on why the team's fortunes have taken such an upturn in recent times.

Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers Podcast, external

Hibs fans, we recently asked you for your January transfer wishlist.

Here's what some of you said:

Peter: Hibs are still in dire need of a seasoned centre-back and I would say an out- and-out goalscorer.

David: Another keeper, central defender, a holding midfielder with leadership and an attacking midfielder.

Alan: A goalkeeper, a box-to-box midfielder and a centre-half.

Scott: Very simple, a goalkeeper. Don't tinker with the momentum and confidence elsewhere. We have a clearout coming in the summer, so start thinking about that now.

Kenny: We need to strengthen the spine of the team. Another goalkeeper - Zander Clark would be good - a centre-half, someone for the middle of midfield to take charge and drive the team on, and a centre forward. We can then build on that. The manager will know by now which players he no longer wants at the club.

David: A new goalkeeper is a must and I expect an attacking midfielder as we do lack a 10. An Emiliano Marcondes type that we brought in last January. If we receive a decent offer for Elie Youan, he will be off. Moving these guys on may free up space for another forward who can hopefully do a 'Myziane Maolida' from last January.

Martin: A decent goalkeeper, a playmaker and one centre-back would do me.

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Martin Boyle reveals a team talk in the Hibs dressing room has helped them turn things around at Easter Road.

David Gray's side battled from 2-0 down to snatch a point in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Rangers.

The Edinburgh outfit are now unbeaten in their last six Premiership encounters and are only one point behind St Mirren in sixth.

"We're more together now," the striker, who scored twice on Sunday, said.

"We're all on the same wavelength. It's not been the best start for us.

"We had a chat and we've turned things around. We talked about the home truths, the meaning of playing for this club, how we had to get a grip and turn things around.

"There's still a lot of things we can improve on, the character is there and we are showing glimpses.

"Maybe a few months ago we would have lost that game. Hopefully we can keep going and break into the top six."

Martin Boyle: The 31-year-old looked back to his best against Rangers in an incredible 3-3 draw. Two goals to draw Hibs level and wasn't far away from a match-winning hat-trick goal.

Hibs fans, we asked for your views on Sunday's dramatic 3-3 draw with Rangers.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Gordon: Well done Hibs, a great fightback. To come back twice was brilliant. As recently as a few weeks back, at 2-0 down we would have folded, not now. This team have discovered a renewed togetherness and fighting spirit. Rocky Bushiri scored a great equaliser but defensively he was largely panicky and all over the place, particularly for Rangers' first goal.

Peter: We were caught napping twice and early on, a spirited comeback saw us take a fair share of the points. David Gray changed the shape when it looked like they would overrun us, they didn't seem to have a plan B. We looked the likely team to score, but they scored after we gifted them the ball. Stop making mistakes at the back and we will make top six.

Johnny: Well fought Hibs, we showed good team spirit to get a deserved draw. The slow start once again showed our weakness at the back, sort this and we can push on.

Michael: Would have taken a point before the game. Gave ourselves a mountain to climb by going 2-0 down but credit to the lads for bouncing back and claiming a point. I believe we've only lost one out of the last eight games. Just shows how bad our start was that we're still not in the top six.

Aidan: Don't want to be overly critical but the goals lost are soft. The first 30 mins of the game were spent looking nervous and that's no good when playing at home. Have to be happy with the point however we could have lost this game on another day. To finish positively, it's January and that presents an opportunity to bring in the quality needed.

Conor: Terrible first 30 mins, great battling second half and the players showed belief in themselves. Nectarios Triantis was excellent, good when Nathan Moriah-Welsh came on. A couple of wins in the next two and we're getting closer to fourth.

The Sportscene team analyse Hibs' late equaliser against Rangers on Sunday.

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

• Hamza Igamane has scored seven goals in the Premiership this season (three in this game), no Rangers player has more.

• Hamza Igamane scored after just three minutes and 53 seconds, the fastest goal for Rangers in the Premiership this season.

• Hibernian have scored in each of their last six games in the Premiership, scoring 13 goals in that run.

• Hibernian have won 10 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee United (11) and Kilmarnock (12) have recovered more.

• Hibernian are undefeated in their last six games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 17 February 2024 to 16 March 2024.

• Ianis Hagi has assisted four goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Rangers player has more.

Watch all six goals from Hibernian's dramatic 3-3 draw with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).

Watch all six goals from Hibernian and Rangers' Scottish Premiership draw in 60 seconds (UK only).

Hibs head coach David Gray: "Rangers are a very good side and giving them a two-goal start, it's hard to come back from that.

"We were trying to get after them but Rangers picked us off too many times.

"Rangers caught us on transition a lot and we got the decision on when to press wrong a few times, almost making Rangers' minds up, and they were able to cut through us.

"We changed the shape a bit after 25 minutes to try and get a foothold in the game. You give up a bit of possession, stick with that back five and keep our midfielders doing the running rather than the full-backs jumping, and we got in 2-1 at half-time, which was huge.

"For the effort and character shown in the second half, I think we at least deserve a point.

"We should probably have gone 3-2 up. Miller hits the post, Gayle had a good chance. To get pegged back and come again shows massive character.

"There are a lot of things to still work on, when you look at how we started the game and conceding three goals, but full credit to the players for the effort and desire shown.

"All in all we're in a good place. Confidence is high and we need to keep moving forward."

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Were you at Easter Road or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the chaotic 3-3 draw between Hibernian and Rangers - have your say, external.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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A late Rocky Bushiri leveller in chaotic 3-3 draw with Aberdeen in November sparked Hibs' upturn in form. The centre-back's late leveller in this one keeps momentum rolling.

David Gray's back three were pulled apart throughout the opening period and it was unfolding into a sobering afternoon, but the character they have shown in recent weeks to turn their season around was on view again in a spirited comeback draw.

They have now won 10 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season - only Dundee United (11) and Kilmarnock (12) have recovered more.

In fact, it could have been better for the hosts had Dwight Gayle or Lewis Miller converted headers with the score at 2-2, the latter watching his come off a post.

But Gray will be more than satisfied with a draw, given the fact his team were two down in the first half before going behind again on minute 74.

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Hibernian expect to have Elie Youan back following a foot injury, while fellow forward Mykola Kuharevich and midfielder and captain Joe Newell face fitness checks after missing recent matches with groin issues.

Marvin Ekpiteta and Kieron Bowie are still out.

Rangers captain James Tavernier remains on the sidelines beside fellow defenders John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland and centre-half Leon Balogun are unlikely to return, while midfielder Tom Lawrence continues his return to fitness.

Young defender Robbie Fraser was a substitute against Celtic on Thursday but has since joined Livingston on loan.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibernian head coach David Gray and Rangers counterpart Philippe Clement go into Sunday's early kick-off looking to continue the momentum that has eased some of the pressure that was mounting over their respective futures.

Thursday's 1-1 draw away to bottom side St Johnstone was not particularly impressive, but it came on the back of four straight wins that have lifted Hibs off the foot of the table, into seventh place and back in the hunt for European qualification.

Second-top Rangers, meanwhile, arrive at Easter Road buoyed by a stunning 3-0 derby win over leaders Celtic.

Considering the reigning champions are still 11 points clear of their city rivals, it has not exactly reignited a title race, but at least it gave a signal that Clement's side have more potential than the previous one win in five had suggested.

Hibs have suffered only one defeat in their latest six at home - and are unbeaten in their latest three - while Rangers have shed points on their past two games away from Ibrox.

However, the Glasgow side are unbeaten in 13 visits to Easter Road, winning eight of those - their joint-longest run against the Leith outfit.

Indeed, overall, Hibs have lost eight games in a row against Rangers since a 2-2 draw at Easter Road in August 2022 - one short of their worst ever losing streak against the Ibrox side.

That is the only time Hibs have avoided defeat in 11 meetings since their 3-1 Scottish League Cup semi-final win at Hampden in November 2021.

Rangers have conceded just one goal - and scored 13 - in the latest five meetings between the sides and their fans will be expecting their team to build on their Old Firm excellence despite Hibs' recent revival.

Of course, with some fans and pundits blaming Clement's rotation policy for his side's inconsistency, much of the spotlight will be on whether the Belgian this time sticks with what appears to be a winning formula.

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Hibs goalkeeper Jordan Smith expects a busy afternoon when Rangers visit Easter Road in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, but says he will be up to the challenge.

Smith only made one save in Thursday's 1-1 draw against St Johnstone as David Gray's side limited the opposition's chances in attack.

However, with Rangers beating league-leaders Celtic last time out, Smith doesn't anticipate another quiet outing.

"I had a really quiet day [against St Johnstone]," Smith said. "You don't get many of them at any level, certainly not at this level, so freezing at the end, but it's quite nice to not have too much to do so.

"Hopefully same again on Sunday, but I don't quite see it being that way. Obviously it's a bit of a catch 22, you don't want a lot to do, but obviously you don't get any other chance to showcase your ability.

"So as long as it's on the right end of a right result, then then I'll be happy."

Hibernian striker Dwight Gayle has hinted that he could do a retirement U-turn at the end of the season if the 35-year-old's goalscoring form continues. (Sky Sports), external

Hibes head coach David Gray has refused to put a number on the amount of players he wants to add to his squad during January. (Sky Sports), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• Hibernian have lost each of their last eight meetings with Rangers in all competitions; only in November 1999 and January 2004 have Hibs ever lost more in a row to the Gers (both runs of nine).

• Rangers are unbeaten in 13 visits to Hibernian in all competitions (W8 D5), their joint-longest ever such run away to Hibs (also 13 in a row from March 2007 to December 2011).

• Hibernian have won both of their last two home league games, as many as their previous 11 beforehand (W2 D4 L5).

• Rangers have only lost one of their last nine league games (W6 D2), keeping six clean sheets in this period.

• Only Adam Idah (four) has scored more goals as a substitute in the Scottish Premiership this season than Rangers' Danilo (three) and Hibernian's Dwight Gayle (three). Danilo has scored in both of his last two substitute appearances in the competition, while Gayle has scored twice in his last three from the bench.

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Hibs head coach David Gray believes Rangers will be apprehensive before they take on the Scottish Premiership's "in-form team" at Easter Road on Sunday.

Gray's side have taken 13 points from their last five games and climbed to seventh in the table, just two points behind Motherwell in sixth.

Rangers beat league-leaders Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox last time out, but insists his side have nothing to fear from Philippe Clement's outfit.

"It's a really good game to look forward to, and I think the last place that Rangers would want to come right now is the in-form team in the league, which is ourselves, so that's the confidence we need to take from that," Gray told Sky Sports on Friday.

"Yes, they're off the back of a fantastic win in the Old Firm game but we need to take the confidence from the position we've put ourselves in and how we've been playing of late.

"It'll be tough but if we can play to the best of our ability we know we're a match for anyone."

Sportscene pundits Peter Grant and Steven Naismith analyse the needless penalty concession by Hibs defender Rocky Bushiri that allowed St Johnstone to take the lead in the 1-1 draw at McDiarmid Park.

We asked for your views on Hibernian's 1-1 draw with 10-man St Johnstone in Perth.

Here's what some of you said:

William: The result basically highlighted our weaknesses at both ends of the park. Rocky Bushiri is still a bombscare, we would have had three clean sheets in a row. Junior Hoilett up front with Martin Boyle is not really working. Nectar Triantis' yellow cards are mounting up. Hopefully Rangers will make a few changes to give us hope.

Scott: Poor result against the bottom side after a reasonable run of positive results, definitely two points dropped. Next up the real litmus test against one of the Old Firm. Still not convinced this is a decent squad and hope we strengthen during the transfer window and get shot of the dross.

Mark: Another poor result, more vital points dropped. David Gray's tactics are too negative, making it hard to break teams down and finish them off. Hopefully his tactics will change if we get better players in this window. Hibs need to get their signings in early, though, rather than the usual last-minute English lower-league loans who almost always flop.

Martin: Can't be too critical. Look where we were only a few weeks ago. St Johnstone are fighting for points, a point away is good considering we were one down, three points became harder when they went to 10 men as they went full defence and we lack the quality to unlock that.

Tom: Two points dropped against 10 but probably a good draw away against a side who have been our bogey team over the years. The last five games we have been much better, so let's take it up to Rangers in the next game.

Colin: Thirteen points out of 15 in our last five games is a very good return. However, we know we need to add quality in key positions and with Keiron Bowie set to return, if we can make a couple of quality signings we'll kick on into the top six. We're moving in the right direction.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Dwight Gayle: Age is no longer on his side but class always persists. The striker, on as a second-half substitute, took his finish perfectly to break the St Johnstone resistance and earn Hibs a point. That's now three goals in four games for the 35-year-old.

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David Gray has been named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for December after overseeing the turnaround in Hibernian's fortunes.

Having started the month with defeat at Celtic, Hibs recorded four wins in a row - including a first victory at Tynecastle in five years - to rise from bottom of the table to seventh.

Gray, who becomes the first Hibs boss to win the award since Paul Heckingbottom in March 2019, said: "Firstly I would just like to thank the rest of the coaching staff, the backroom staff and of course the players as this has been a real collective effort.

"We are growing in confidence and we need to make sure we take that momentum into 2025 and finish the season as strongly as possible."