Hibernian

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Hibs slumped to another defeat that left us at the foot of the table after a total capitulation at Tannadice on Saturday.

Leading 2-1 heading into the closing stages, Joe Newell’s second yellow card saw momentum shift in the hosts' favour and two injury-time goals gave United the three points.

We only have ourselves to blame. From Newell's rashness in the challenge to some calamitous defending and goalkeeping, Hibs snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yet again.

It's a worrying habit for David Gray. His side have competed well in most matches this season but find themselves rooted to the foot of the table, albeit with a game in hand over second-bottom Hearts.

Fans' fury in the immediate aftermath of the match saw fingers pointed at Gray, Malky Mackay, Ben Kensell and Ian Gordon. In truth, it's hard to unravel just who to blame for the current shambolic state of affairs.

Changes were made in the summer, Mackay was brought in and he promptly confirmed Gray as head coach. Almost a new team was signed - with only a handful of the side that failed miserably last season remaining - yet we have again gone backwards.

Hibs now look forward (ahem) to the Edinburgh derby on Sunday with pressure mounting on the squad to buck the trend and get back to winning ways.

Matty Fairnie can be found at the Longbangers podcast, external

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dwight Gayle admits his first goal for Hibs was bitter-sweet, given it came in a game the capital club threw away in injury-time at Tannadice.

The former Newcastle and Crystal Palace striker's header had Hibs on course for their first away victory of the league season, before goals on 93 and 99 minutes gave Dundee United all three points. Gayle's goal, in the end, counted for little.

"Yeah, it's a really frustrating result," Gayle said. "It's been a frustrating time for us. The last two games have not been good enough, we know that ourselves. We've got to pick ourselves up and try to make up for it [in the Edinburgh derby] next week. It's not been good enough and the boys know it.

"It's always a 'must-win' game against your city rivals but even more so now after the last two performances. We were in good positions and then we just haven't been good enough collectively. We've all got to look ourselves in the mirror and start asking questions.

"It was nice to get my first goal for Hibs but it's not what I'm here for. It's more important that we get the result so I would happily not have taken a goal if it meant that we got all three points. After we went down to ten men we found it difficult and they got the two goals."

Despite the fact Hibs have only claimed five of the available 24 points so far this term, Gayle has no regrets whatsoever about the move north after spells at Stoke City and Derby County.

"It was a no-brainer for me with the size of the club," Gayle added. "The facilities are great and I feel really at home. Hopefully I can continue to progress, try to get some more goals and help the team get some points on the board."

Veteran Hibernian striker Dwight Gayle believes the Leith side's players are being too "nice" in the midst of a serious crisis as they sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Fergis: We are relegation certainties, not really sure what we work on in training but we are losing simple goals with school boy defending. We looked tighter with Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson at back. Not really sure where we go from here. I fear for us next week against Hearts, and hate to say it but really think David Gray is out of his depth here.

Cameron: Horrendous. Pathetic. Woeful. Embarrassing. I've said it all season and been proven right every single week, we have absolutely NO fight in this team. Defence is an absolute shambles and we just cannot see out games when in front. Relegation beckons, even at this stage of the season.

Colin: Today summed up our season. Gutless, hopeless and hapless. You can't make excuses anymore. We've thrown points away by consistent poor defending and a lack of resilience. You can understand the fans anger, frustration and disappointment. We shouldn't be where we are and our problems start with poor manager hiring and firing. Who'd want to manage Hibs?

Neil: Players lacking any sort of football brain. Again a stupid tackle when already on a yellow costs us and Joe Newell's the club captain. Whoever thought the keeper was a number one... questions have to be asked.

Alex: An absolute disgrace! The team have no backbone, no resilience, no clue... the defence is shocking and act like rabbits caught in the headlights. Malky MacKay, Gray, Ben Kensall need to head for the exit door. Championship next year beckons.

John: The only way this team will see a clean sheet is if they work in a laundry. No improvement means no points and no points mean relegation.

Image source, SNS

• Hibernian have lost their last three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 6 August 2023 to 26 August 2023.

• Dundee United have scored in their last three games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of five games from 28 May 2023 to 1 September 2024.

• Hibernian have lost seven points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, no team has lost more.

Hibernian manager David Gray told BBC Scotland: "Some [home truths] weren't even required because everyone knows what the issue was again today. It's hugely frustrating.

"We actually showed a bit of resilience coming back from 1-0 down, but we've been in this movie before. When you're on a yellow card, you just can't do that. I'm not going to stand here and make excuses.

"From that moment on, we needed to be better. When we were seriously asked questions, we failed to come up with the answers. When you're down the bottom or under-perfoming, results do seem to go against you. It feels that way at the moment.

"We are being punished all the time for individual errors and decision making. I'm responsible for that as the head coach. I take it on the chin and it's up to me to make sure we put this right.

"I don't like the word softness. When we are up against it, we don't come up with the answers. The third goal comes from the goalkeeper doing what he believes is the right thing. We then get punished. If we had been doing well, does the ball hit the bar and go over? Maybe. It's irrelevant.

"At this moment in time, it's nowehre near good enough and it's my responsibility."

Dundee United struck twice in injury time to snatch victory from a struggling Hibernian side who completely capitulated to fall to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

United move up to fourth - a point behind Rangers - while Hibs drop to the bottom of the table on goal difference.

What did you think of that, Hibs fans? Did it feel inevitable when Joe Newell was sent off?

Where is it going wrong for Hibs at the moment, and what needs to change?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Plenty have accused Hibs of having a 'soft centre' in their defence, and United took full advantage of it late on.

Having gone ahead in the 72nd minute, during a relatively even game, their confidence completely evaporated when Newell was sent off after flying into a challenge recklessly when he was already on a booking.

Yes, he gets the ball, but he also gets a fair portion of Stephenson's calf and it was a silly challenge to make in the circumstances.

They now wilt to the bottom of the table. Next up is the Edinburgh derby. A defeat there will see David Gray come under serious, serious pressure.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United: Walton, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Stephenson, Sevelj, Babunski, Ferry, Thomson, Dalby, Middleton.

Substitutes: Richards, Trapanovski, Odada, Fotheringham, Van der Sande, Stirton, Domeracki, Obuchioma.

Hibernian: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, O'Hora, Obita, Kwon, Newell, Cadden, Molotnikov, Hoilett, Kuharevich.

Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, Youan, Boyle, Iredale, McKirdy, Campbell, Bushiri, Gayle.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United defender Ross Graham has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury while Louis Moult, Kristijan Trapanovski and Ryan Strain face a battle to return from injuries. Manager Jim Goodwin has several other unnamed doubts.

Hibs have Joe Newell and Martin Boyle back in contention but the suspended Nectarios Triantis joins Kieron Bowie (hamstring) and long-term absentee Jake Doyle-Hayes on the sidelines.

Image source, SNS

Hibs head coach David Gray says improved performances count for nothing if results do not improve, as his side prepare to face Dundee United on Saturday.

The Easter Road side lost back-to-back games before the international break, and sit 10th in the Scottish Premiership with just one league win this season.

Gray branded his side's errors in the 2-1 defeat by Motherwell as "unprofessional" last time out, but he believes his players have learned from those mistakes.

"Take the Motherwell game for example, the basics in both boxes I think that was the key fundamental thing from the game," Gray said.

"We've looked at and reflected on it and worked on the areas and ultimately don't want to be a team that's playing well in the losing games, we need to win."

Gray insists he is unfazed by the demands that come with leading Hibs, having worn the shirt for so long as a player.

"This football club demands it and I'm well aware of that expectation," he added.

"The performance level has been good but if you're not winning games then it's irrelevant so we need to make sure that we put them both together.

"Having been a player, that demand is always on you, I've talked a lot about the squad and how strong it is and the competition for places but the result is the most important thing.

"Everybody needs to be pulling in the same direction, working as hard as we can to make sure we put that right as quickly as we can."

Image source, SNS

David Gray has been speaking to the media before his side's trip to face Dundee United at Tannadice this weekend.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• He says performance levels have been good but that is "irrelevant if you're not winning games". Wants his side to deliver for "90 minutes plus".

• Joe Newell and Martin Boyle have trained during the international break, got minutes in a bounce game, and are available for selection this weekend.

• Acknowledges that pressure is always there at the club even if you're winning - "the demands are here all of the time".

• Emphasises that "results are the most important thing, everyone needs to pull in the same direction to put that right".

• Says opposite number Jim Goodwin has done a "fantastic job" and thinks Dundee United have "started exceptionally well". Gray knows Tannadice is a tough venue.

• On whether three points this weekend would be a boost going into next weekend's Edinburgh derby, he adds: "Regardless of the following game, three points will give everyone confidence".

Image source, SNS

Hibs’ defensive structure must be improved if they are to climb the table, with a potentially tricky Edinburgh derby around the corner, says Leanne Crichton.

Despite having only one win in the Scottish Premierships so far this season, performances are beginning to take a turn for the better with David Gray's side's goals-conceded record the sixth-best in the top-flight.

However, Motherwell's late winner in Hibs' last outing came from a long throw, something Crichton says Gray will have been particularly disappointed with.

"The players will be aware that David Gray does need a win," she said on BBC Scotland’s Scottish Football Podcast.

"There’s been proof in the pudding that there's positives there and performances have been better.

"They should have, and could have, had more from a number of the games but the reality is they haven't.

"The Motherwell game, you’re conceding off of a long throw. The reality is, in football if you want to climb the table, those are the types of moments that you need to get out of the game, it’s very rare that teams concede from long throws in.

"David Gray must have been coming away from that game really scratching his head. He needs his team to put it all together and a 90-minute performance is probably what he's after from his side. Nullifying and eradicating a number of individual errors would be a starting point for him.

"But if you don't pick up a win this weekend, you head into an Edinburgh derby, which for Neil Critchley and Gray even at this stage of the season, early on in both of their managerial careers, in an Edinburgh derby [they] could find that being one of the toughest."

Image source, SNS

• Dundee United won their last league meeting with Hibernian 2-1 in April 2023, last winning successive top-flight clashes with Hibs in August 2012 (run of 3).

• Hibernian have won both of their last two league games against newly promoted opponents (both vs Dundee last season). Hibs last won three in a row versus promoted sides in the top-flight in October 2012 under Pat Fenlon.

• Dundee United have won three of their last five Scottish Premiership games (D1 L1), as many as their previous 21 beforehand (W3 D5 L13).

• Hibernian have won just one of their last 13 away league outings (D7 L5), a 3-1 victory at St. Johnstone in April. Hibs could suffer successive away league defeats for the first time since April 2023 – the second of which was to Dundee United.

• Dundee United’s nine league goals (excl. own goals) this season have been scored by eight different players. Only Celtic (12) have had more of their players score in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Image source, SNS

Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum says it was the "wrong decision" not to award Rangers a penalty against St Johnstone for a shirt pull on Cyriel Dessers.

It was announced earlier this week by the SFA's key match incident review panel that Saints defender Aaron Essel should have been penalised for a tug on the Rangers striker.

"We expect a penalty kick here and we expect the referee to be brought to the monitor to review the decision," Collum said.

"You hear the referee saying he saw a 'small hold but it has no impact'... but is what the refereeing saying actually what happened? We don’t regard this as a 'small hold' and as having 'no impact'.

"We believe if this holding offence doesn't happen, the attacker has the chance to challenge for the ball. It's excessive holding."

The previous weekend, defender John Souttar was penalised for handball in the box following a VAR review against Hibernian.

Mykola Kuharevich's spot-kick was saved and the hosts maintained their 1-0 lead until full-time.

"It's the correct decision for us," Collum said of the Souttar incident.

“We think the Rangers defender throws himself to save the shot, block the shot at all costs. Unfortunately for him he's made his body bigger, for us it’s not natural.

"There’s a slight arm movement, although it’s not deliberate, but it’s certainly a punishable handball.

"There is every opportunity the goalkeeper could save the shot. So we would not support a red card, it isn't an obvious goalscoring opportunity."

The position of goalkeeper Jack Butland's feet in relation to the goal line was also discussed and Collum was "content" there was no need for a re-take.

We asked for your views on what you want to see from Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Liam: The defence still looks fragile and disorganised. The persistence with playing one up front, including at home to Motherwell, shows a bit of a fear to change this. But overall, the mentality of the team is worrying. When we concede or suffer any kind of setback during the game we seem to just completely capitulate.

Craig: I firmly believe that once everyone is back from injury and match fit, we're going to be looking a lot better. This isn't just a view from my green-tinted glasses, but I've seen some of the football and link-up play and been impressed, the only statement I'd make is have two up front! Mykola Kuharevich and Dwight Gayle together could be a dynamite pairing.

Ross: While results haven't been ideal, there have been some good performances. After a pretty major overhaul in the summer, I think David Gray deserves, at the very least, a full season to shape the squad and playing style. Fed up of chopping and changing managers every season!

Dicky: A manager who wants to play fast free-flowing football instead of the garbage we watch week in, week out. Plenty of empty seats at home games this season and more to come. We have some decent players but also some bad ones who need to go. Why pay good money for Dylan Levitt and Dylan Vente and bench and loan them out? Bottom six again this year.

Greg: We're going round in circles in terms of this situation. All teams performing well are down to a solid manager. Hopefully Gray can improve things but if he does happen to leave in the near future, there's once again no reason why we don't just appoint the best-performing manager in the Premiership outwith the the big five.

Ian: Nothing has improved, Gray is terrible, Hibs will be relegated this season.

Colin: We need to be clinical and take the chances we're creating and improve our defending as a team. Football is a game of fine margins and we're not far away from being a good team. Supporters need to be patient and note that Rome wasn't built in a day, and Hibs aren't a quick fix after years of poor decision asking.

Malcolm: I'd like to see Hibs play 4-2-4, with four up front we will pin back teams and chance the counter, but we need to trust the back four. We can score goals and can't defend, so may as well try to score more than we let in. One up front last time just brought them forward at pace.

Martin: Don't even care how we play anymore, just play two up front and win by doing whatever it takes.

With domestic football making its return this weekend, we want to know what you're looking for from your side.

With just one win in seven league games, it has been an unconvincing start for David Gray in the infancy of his managerial tenure at Easter Road.

So what needs to be improved between now and November's international break?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

Sam Martinez travelled from Belize to help Britain in the war effort, one of almost 900 forestry workers who came to Scotland from British Honduras - known now as Belize - during the Second World War. Until recently, their story was largely forgotten.

Martinez was the last surviving lumberjack, and also supported Hibs from the time he arrived in Edinburgh. In 2016, aged 106, Sam Martinez shared his memories just before he died, including the Easter Road side's Scottish Cup win that year.

This is his story and that of the men like him, who travelled 5000 miles from Central America to help Britain in the war effort.

Listen to the tale of the last lumberjack here.

BBC Scotland's Edinburgh football reporter Brian McLauchlin has been answering your questions.

Billy asked: How long do the Hibs board give David Gray in the hotseat if results continue to disappoint?

Brian answered: Who would want to be a football manager, Billy? Most are unlikely to last longer than a couple of years at best.

I have been covering Hibernian for the BBC since 1998 and in that time I have interviewed no fewer than 31 different (interim or permanent) managers.

Since Neil Lennon departed in January 2019 there have been 11 people either in temporary or permanent control of first-team matters at Easter Road.

It's little wonder that success on the pitch has been scarce.

Gray had three interim stints before being handed the full-time role in the summer, but after an indifferent start to this season there are some who say he has to go. Really?

Fans pay their money and are rightly entitled to have their say, but there has to be a sense of realism.

This will undoubtedly be a transitional season for the club, but Gray will have to steer Hibs into the top half of the table come the end of March and have a go at a potential Euro spot for next season.

Financially, this is where the greater rewards are now for Scottish clubs. If they could reach the Conference League proper, £5m to £7m would come into the club. Huge funding which if spent properly can take Hibs forward.

But for this to happen a period of stability is required. The constant chopping and changing of managers is unhealthy.

Yes, there may well be pain before there is light at the end of the tunnel, but given time and the right resources, only then should Gray be judged on his team's performances.