Hibernian

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

With the international break dragging on, it was up to Hibs majority shareholder Ian Gordon to provide the talking points as he did his first meaningful round of interviews with the press since the sad passing of his father, Ron, last year.

The interviews were very much a case of Gordon holding his hands up to admit to past mistakes while assuring everyone that, with lessons now learned, things will be better going forward.

He described this summer's transfer activity as being carried out to pave the way for a bigger rebuild next summer, stating David Gray and Malky Mackay will need time to address the state of the squad they inherited on the back of the departures of several managers over the last few years.

Time isn't usually afforded to Hibs managers if the team are not producing the goods on the park, so it's in everyone's interests to see Gray kickstart our season with a home win over St Johnstone on Saturday.

The fixture has served up some of the worst games of football I've witnessed in recent years.

But despite that and the slow start to the season, I'm buzzing to get back to Easter Road to hopefully witness the first win.

Image source, SNS

Sacking Jack Ross. Appointing himself as head of recruitment. Signing too many players. Not listening to investors over key club appointments.

Just some of the mistakes that Hibs owner Ian Gordon fessed up to in his rigorous interview with Sky Sports this week.

There have been five managers since the Gordon family took over in 2019 - at least three of whom have gone down as failures.

Since the summer of 2022, they have made 47 signings - a figure that eclipses even Chelsea's infamous transfer policy.

Gordon's interview was an attempt to heal relations with the fanbase, but will it work?

"To be really brutal about it - if you're a Hibs fan, I think you'd be within your rights to question him because of all these mistakes that he's owned up to," said Scott McDermott, the Sunday Mail's chief football writer, on the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

"You'd be within your rights to question, are these the right people to lead the club?

"In life, as well as football, you need to admire people that own up to their mistakes and admit when they got it wrong and then they try and rectify it and be better in the future.

"That's good, but just listening to the litany of mistakes and errors that they've made since taking over at Hibs, I thought it was quite astonishing.

"I don't really understand - when they come into the club new to Scottish football, a whole new environment for them - why they wouldn't go and seek some guidance, some support, some advice."

Former Hibs midfielder Stephen McGinn was also in disbelief at what's happened to the club since he left in 2021.

"It's madness what's happened over the last three or four years, unrecognisable from the teams that were finishing third and winning Scottish Cups," he said.

"The money that club must be spending. Some of the teams in the Champions League won't have spent the money that Hibs have spent in the last few years."

• Scott McDermott and Stephen McGinn were speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, which you can listen to here on BBC Sounds.

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Hibs forward Kieron Bowie has called on Scotland Under-21s to be ruthless against Malta on Tuesday to get their Euro 2025 qualification bid back on track.

The Scots appear to be in a battle with Belgium and Hungary for second place in Group B after their 2-1 defeat at home to Spain left them six points adrift of the group leaders.

The three best runners-up qualify automatically for next year's finals in Slovakia, with the others going into a play-off.

Bowie said: "We played Malta in October last year and we won 2-1 and it was sort of the last 10 minutes we scored.

"So we know they're not just going to roll over and let us batter them.

"But the last time we had quite a lot of chances and the game should have been put to bed a lot earlier, so hopefully we can go into this game with a different mindset and come away with the three points.

"We're in a good position. I think all the lads in the dressing room definitely know we have a chance of qualifying. We just need to win these next three games to hopefully qualify."

Image source, SNS

Hibs executive director Ian Gordon admits sacking Jack Ross was a "knee-jerk mistake" and believes the club's management are "wiser" now.

Ross was dismissed in December 2021, before he could take charge of the League Cup final and having taken the club to a third-place league finish the season before.

Gordon says "massive lessons" have been learned and thinks the club needs more stability moving forwards.

"I think as my dad said, that was a mistake and I view it the same way," Gordon said about Ross' sacking. "I think at that time it was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction and lessons have been learned from then and along the way since then.

"It is hard to build something when you're constantly changing. That has been a massive problem for us.

"I think it's easy to look back and wish we did things differently. I know it's tough for fans to realise that, but there have been massive lessons learned throughout that time.

"I think we could always wise up a bit earlier. I'm not hiding from the fact we haven't got it correct along the way but we do feel through the ups and downs over the last few years that we're in a good position now with the structure in place."

Image source, SNS

Four games, two draws, two defeats.

David Gray's start to life as a permanent Scottish Premiership head coach has been far from plain-sailing.

Time and patience was asked for, though both are already wearing thin when their League Cup campaign is factored in. Not through their eventual exit to Celtic, but their group-stage performance, especially the defeat to Kelty Hearts.

There have been signs Hibs are turning a corner under the club legend, but what do the underlying numbers say as he attempts to avoid becoming the next victim of Hibs' managerial merry-go-round?

Well, they say Hibs are not creating nearly enough.

With three big chances created and three goals scored, they have taken opportunities well, but three is the fewest big chances created by any side in the top flight.

A total of 41 shots is only better than Kilmarnock and Ross County's 40, and their nine on target is the joint-fewest with Derek McInnes' side.

The build-up play hasn't been there either. Hibs have successfully pulled off just three sequences of 10 or more passes. Again, a league low.

The woes up top are not being alleviated at the back, either. The eight goals conceded is the second-highest tally, with seven coming from open play.

Hibs return to action against St Johnstone before travelling to take on Rangers. Some of the above numbers will need to improve if results are to turn around under Gray.

Hibernian owner Ian Gordon suggests the club will focus on the British transfer market going forward. (Sun), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

BBC Sport Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.

Craig asked: Do you really think with the transfers that have come in this summer that we could get top six? Leaky defence aside, I really believe we could get up there but errors at the back are costing us just now. Will we sort that out and push on?

Tom answered: Craig, in a word, no. Top six in what is a poor league shouldn't spark parties at Easter Road. It wouldn’t be an achievement for a club of Hibs’ size to finish in the top six. It should be taken as read. Their budget demands it.

The conversation should be around whether they can finish third or fourth, not sixth. Their standards are now set so low that sixth is the target. It's kind of pitiful.

Their defence has to improve - and dramatically. They need solid foundations and everything starts at the back. At the moment, and for quite a while, there are no foundations, there’s just quick sand.

Unless those new defenders settle and they start looking robust and gain an identity - what's the DNA of this team? - then I wouldn't predict much of a season for them. I've been wrong a million times before, of course.

Brady asked: What should Hibs have done during the transfer window?

Tom answered: They went after Luke McCowan, Brady. When they didn't get him, who was next on their list? And why didn't they move for him? There are a number of midfield players in the Premiership who would improve this Hibs team and they didn't get any of them.

They asked about Kevin Nisbet on loan as well, but that didn't happen. I don't know the inner workings of the board at Easter Road but they've got a side that looks weak in nearly every area.

The hope is that their new defenders settle and that they become hard to score against and then get confidence from that. But I can't say I’ve been impressed with the defenders they've brought in. Early days, of course. They needed to sign a strong spine and I don't think they've done it.

BBC Sport Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.

Patrick asked: What are your thoughts on the Luke McCowan situation? Given that Hibs had £1m to spend and Malky Mackay stated no one else was worth going for, your thoughts please.

Tom answered: Patrick, as soon as Celtic appeared on the scene in a serious way then Hibs may as well have folded their tents and walked away. He was never picking Hibs over Celtic - and was probably hopeful that Celtic would come in for him.

If Malky Mackay said there were no other midfielders worth pursuing, beyond McCowan, then respectfully, I disagree with him. For a start, Dundee have two others in Lyall Cameron and Mo Sylla who would walk into the Hibs midfield, in my view.

I really wonder about Hibs. I know it's early in the season and they're trying to bed in new players, but the defensive calamities continue, the lack of presence in midfield is still there and the absence of any real threat upfront is a big problem. They look a total mess to me. What are they trying to do? What's their identity as a team? I haven't a notion. I just don’t understand Hibs.

If they carry on the way they are then there'll be another new manager coming in soonish. The vicious circle goes on and on. It's a desperate shame because this is a fantastic football club and the fans deserve a whole lot better than this.

Greg asked: With the fact that teams with much smaller budgets continuously finish above Hibs, why do you think we very rarely appoint one of these managers? McInnes, Robinson and Docherty being more recent examples.

Tom answered: An awful lot of bad decisions have been made, Greg. The hierarchy seem addicted to poor decision-making. Until there are changes at the very top then I struggle to see how things are going to improve below. Their record in appointing managers is utterly abysmal. Where's the accountability at the top?

Those three managers you mention are proven operators. For the life of me I don’t know why Hibs didn't go for one of them - or do what Aberdeen have done and get Jimmy Thelin, who was a known commodity.

To go for David Gray is an emotional choice but there's zero evidence that such an inexperienced manager is what they need. Everything goes back to desperately poor decision-making. Managers come and go but the decision-maker(s) remain.

Players that turned down moves away from Hibernian may be excluded from first team training. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Martin Boyle and Australia were stunned 1-0 by Bahrain in a World Cup qualifying upset.

Hibs forward Boyle started the game on the Gold Coast, earning his 28th cap, but was substituted before the late drama.

Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi was sent off for a high kick to the neck of defender Sayed Baqer in the closing stages, then former Dundee United defender Harry Souttar netted an 89th-minute own goal.

The defeat in the opening game of the third round of Asian qualifying leaves the Aussies playing catch-up in a group that also features Japan and Saudi Arabia, with the top two guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Dwight Gayle is not a target that Hibernian are currently pursuing despite reports suggesting the 34-year-old former Newcastle United striker could be headed for Easter Road after leaving Derby County. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Get your questions ready.

Tom English, BBC Sport Scotland's chief sportswriter, is in the hotseat and ready to offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Four games into the Premiership campaign, what would you like to ask?

Put your questions to our man here, external.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The Hibernian fans are still waiting for the David Gray bandwagon to begin.

There has been green shoots of hope with only late goals from Dundee and Kilmarnock denying the team two wins that would give the Premiership table a very different look.

There has to be a realism that after the frequent change of managers and players over the last few seasons a sustained period of stability is required.

Throughout the recent transfer window there was barely a day that went by when Hibs were not linked with a move for a striker, midfielder or defender.

And although they failed in various bids for Dundee's Luke McCowan, the fact they kept on going until the latter stages of the evening on Friday is great credit to the ambitions of all those involved.

But there is no doubt this team needs results. Like their neighbours across the city they have yet to fire this season and the longer this goes on, the fans will be asking serious questions about the management.

The international break does allow a period of reflection on what needs to change in order for results to improve.

Gray and the management team deserve some time. The board will allow that and I'm sure in the coming weeks a steady improvement in results will see an upturn in league position.

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Is Nectarios Triantis the answer to Hibernian's midfield fragility?

The 21-year-old's underlying numbers in his performance at Kilmarnock suggest he could be.

Despite the match ending in disappointment for Hibs, who conceded a late penalty to draw 2-2, the Australian's display is a positive to take.

Triantis has been deployed as a centre-back for the majority of his short career, but playing at the base of David Gray's midfield could a solution to the team's heavily-criticised soft touch.

The on-loan Sunderland man, making his second Hibs debut after rejoining the club late in the window, won 14 duels (more than any other player) and regained the ball four times for his side.

In addition, no player made more than Triantis' five tackles.

Although his passing numbers can certainly improve, Triantis also showed his quality on the ball by gliding to the edge of the Killie box before smashing a fine effort off the crossbar in the second half.

"It feels good to be back," he said post-match. "I enjoyed playing, I like Edinburgh, I like the club, I like the fans. So no complaints.

"I only rejoined a few days ago, so it was a bit chaotic I'd say. But I felt good in the game. Most of the boys are here from last season so I just picked up from where I left off.

"I think it's good that I'm versatile, but I think my strong point heading into this season will be in midfield.

"I think you can say I'm comfortable carrying the ball. I also have those defensive traits, so I think it's a real positive for not only myself, but the team."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Another week, another late punch in the face for Hibs as we again contrived to let the opposition take something from a game where it was scarcely deserved.

Jordan Obita's rash decision to try and run straight through Bruce Anderson as he headed into the Hibs box gave Kilmarnock a penalty, which they duly converted.

Hibs would have been well worth the three points had they held on, so it's frustrating again that having lost a late goal last week to St Mirren, a lack of concentration has cost us again.

It was results like this that killed Hibs' top-six chances last season and if we don't address the issues quickly, history is likely to repeat itself.

It's certainly a far cry from the assault on third place promised when Hibs brought the Black Knight FC on board in February – in fact, the lack of any transfer activity between that group and Hibs during the summer window has left a lot of fans asking just what the point in it all was.

There are some positives to take from the game, though. Marvin Ekpiteta and Warren O'Hora were comfortable throughout, while Nectar Triantis stole the show in midfield, where he was ably assisted by Hyeok-kyu Kwon.

Hibs were effective without being especially good, but there were glimpses that things might start to come together soon and with the international break now upon us, David Gray has some time to work his magic with his newly-formed squad.

Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers Podcast, external

Hibernian sporting director Malky Mackay revealed the club bid £1m for Luke McCowan before the midfielder left Dundee for Celtic. (Record), external

And Mackay believes it was not possible to find a value-for-money alternative to McCowan, 26. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read all of Tuesday's Scottish Gossip

Hibs fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Craig: Another new season under way and already we're seeing the same old Hibs, chucking leads away like we're allergic to them. How long is David Gray going to keep going with that defence? He says they need confidence but playing nervous players is costing us. Switch it up and get two up front as well instead of relying on just one goal to see us through.

John: Small shoots of promise but it looks like it's going to take time for everything to click.

Mark: We are still dropping points because of our failure, for the umpteenth window, to sign some decent quality defenders. Jordan Obita was making a lot of mistakes towards the end of last season, yet we give him a new contract and here we are again. If we had £850k to spend on Luke McCowan, why not spend some of that on fixing the defence?

John: Absolutely garbage. We cannot defend and cannot see out games. This team are going nowhere apart from down to the Championship at the end of this season.

Kenny: I feel for the manager after this one. The team's improving but unfortunately these things happen. Very unlucky not to get three points and a clean sheet. As fans we need to be patient and give the manager some breathing space. He’s doing his best and hopefully we will start to get some wins and the team will start gaining confidence.

Alex: Same old story, can't remember how many points we dropped last season to late or injury-time goals We've just carried on from where we left off last season, bottom six looms again.

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Former Hibernian winger Jamie Murphy has called on his former club to "settle down" and stand by head coach David Gray.

The Leith club are yet to win a league game this season, taking two points from their opening four Premiership matches.

A stoppage-time penalty at Kilmarnock denied them a much-needed victory on Sunday, but Murphy has seen signs that show Hibs are improving.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he added: "They'll be looking for that win, but Hibs over the last couple of years have chopping and changing a lot.

"So I think they just really need to settle down. They need to stick with the manager they've got and work better off the park, which I'm sure they have been doing.

"But it's also up to [the players] to produce on the park. The last couple of weeks, two last-minute goals against them is frustrating, but they definitely do look like they're going in the right direction."

Image source, SNS

Defender Nectar Triantis says the international break has come at the right time for Hiberbian.

After picking up just two points from their opening five league games under David Gray, the Leith side will have a fortnight off.

Gray's men were denied a much-needed win at Kilmarnock on Sunday when a stoppage-time penalty earned the hosts a point at Rugby Park.

"Unfortunate about the result," Triantis said. "We can look at the positives but it's become a bit of a thing we have to fix up, conceding late goals.

"If we can fix that up then we’re looking real good. I think the international break's come at a good time, when we’ve got players coming back from injury and new players who have just arrived.

"I think the team will only get stronger."

Celtic brought in £10.59m more in the summer transfer market than they spent, Aberdeen made a profit of £2.67m, Motherwell were up £1.34m and Heart of Midlothian £1.01m, but Hibernian spent £438,460 more than they brought in, while Rangers' net spend was £11.71m. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Watch highlights from Kilmarnock and Hibernian's draw in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

Hibernian were denied a first Scottish Premiership win of the season after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser at Kilmarnock.

Bruce Anderson converted from the spot after being fouled by Jordan Obita to earn Kilmarnock's first point of the season and cancel out Joe Newell's sublime opener.

Whether Newell's intention was to shoot or to cross is up for debate, but his whipped effort was enough to beat Kieran O'Hara five minutes into the second half.

The Hibs captain was the hero for a while but his Kilmarnock counterpart might have been the villain had his side not levelled late on.

Kyle Vassell added himself to an already-competitive 'miss of the season' nominee list by inexplicably failing to convert an open goal from less than two yards out.

For those interested in statistics, Newell's opener yielded an xG rating of 0.01. Vassell's first half miss was 0.73.

Both sides hit the frame of the goal at 1-0 before Anderson won and scored the penalty in stoppage time.

David Gray is still yet to win a league match as Hibs manager but Kilmarnock, at the fourth time of asking, finally have a point on the board.

Hibernian fans, what did you make of the game? Let us know your thoughts here., external