Hibernian

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibs centre forward Dylan Vente credits head coach David Gray for improving his confidence and simplifying his role after opening the season with a hat-trick away to Elgin City in the Premier Sports Cup.

"Of course it is a good start, but it is just the beginning, I have to move on and work on things," the Dutchman told BBC Scotland after a 5-0 victory.

"I am doing that and I am happy that David has given me confidence as a striker and just tells me I play as a striker and just stay between the defenders.

"You see today I got chances and I scored and I am happy with that."

The 25-year-old netted eight goals in his debut season at Easter Road, following two prolific campaigns with Roda in his homeland.

"I expected more last year from myself," he said.

"I can say sometimes I did not play in my position, I am a real box player. I think last year was more just running and more as a 10 but that is no excuse.

"I know last season was not that good but I am focused now for playing as a striker."

Hibernian head coach David Gray says work is "ongoing" as the club look to bring in new players and that anyone who comes to the club will need to add "value". (The Scotsman), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Hibs head coach David Gray believes his team are well placed for the new season after an "excellent" pre-season training camp in the Netherlands.

Gray will take charge of Hibs for the first time as permanent head coach against Elgin City in the League Cup on Saturday, and the 36-year-old says his players are raring to go.

"Really looking forward to it, and I'm really pleased with how preparations have gone," he said.

"Everything we've been doing has been geared up to the first competitive game. I'm really happy with the fitness levels and the work we've managed to do, especially in Holland.

"The mood is really positive. The camp was excellent - new players coming in and being able to integrate them into the squad. The work we were able to do has set us up really nicely."

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Hibernian have agreed a contract extension with Joe Newell and named the midfielder as their new club captain.

The 31-year-old's deal was due to expire next summer, but he has now signed on until the end of the 2026-2027 season.

He takes over as captain after centre-half Paul Hanlon was freed and subsequently joined Raith Rovers.

The "delighted" Newell told his club website: "Everyone who knows me knows how much Hibs means to me and I am grateful to be able to commit my future to here.

"To be named club captain is the biggest honour of my career so far. I was looking at the list of previous Hibs captains and to be added to that list of names and follow in the footsteps of some great players is an absolute privilege and truly means the world to me."

Newell joined Hibs in summer 2019, having previously spent four years with Rotherham United, and the Englishman has gone on to make 189 appearances.

He has already captained Hibs 29 times in Hanlon's absence and head coach David Gray said it was "an easy decision" to give him the role permanently.

"He is a great example to the young players at the football club," he said. "He is an excellent player and has maintained a high level of consistency with his performances over the years.

"From playing alongside him to coaching him, I know what he is like as a competitor and a leader both on and off the pitch."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibernian have been slow to bring in new faces, but, with the departure of club stalwart Paul Hanlon and on-loan Will Fish, head coach David Gray has moved to solve what many regard as their Achilles heel in central defence.

Irishman Warren O’Hora missed out on promotion from League Two with MK Dons after finishing fourth, while Marvin Ekpiteta has been a regular starter for four seasons with Blackpool, who ended last season eighth in League One.

Standing at 6ft, 4in, the latter is a former Nigeria Under-20 cap and was club player of the season in 2021-22 when The Seasiders finished 16th in the Championship, while both of the new arrivals had spells as captain at the teams they have just left.

Following clean sheets in all three pre-season friendlies, former full-back Gray will be looking for another away to fourth-tier Elgin City.

• Read Clive's full piece here

We asked for your thoughts on what a successful season for Hibs would look like this time around.

Here’s what some of you had to say:

Kieran: A top-six finish and a run in both cups would suit me. I would love to get a place in Europe but cannot see it happening this season.

Scott: Top five and a decent run in the cups, with the manager still there at the end of the season. No point in wishing for top-three and a cup win, that isn't happening. Realism please Hibs fans, then the following season we can kick on again.

John: We need a midfielder, ball-winner and a striker. If not, we could be in a relegation fight this season.

Colin: They have to be at least top six. A couple of good cup runs would be nice, generally they have to be far more consistent than last season. No disrespect intended, but two away defeats in Dingwall? Not good enough.

Mark: Qualifying for Europe, better football and good runs in the cups. We still need to offload and bring in about a dozen players, which will take time, but yet again, we've missed out on good SPL players we should have been able to sign. Surely we'll get a couple of good loans in from Bournemouth, otherwise what's the point in the link-up?

John: A successful season would be a comfortable top-six finish and a cup final, I think fans would like to see us be difficult to play against home and away.

Alex: If we got to the latter stages of both trophies and a top-four finish in the league, that would be a real turnaround, but I don't see that happening with the lack of new signings so far. I don't want any more loans, we need players who are committed to the cause, I'm always hopeful though.

Stephen: A minimum of winning at least 20-25 league games and two good cup runs, it's high time this club achieved this kind of output and started giving back to the fans for everything we put in!

Hibs fans, after last season's underwhelming league campaign, what do you think would constitute a successful season this time around under David Gray?

Have your say here, external.

Hibernian should bust a gut to sign Simon Murray - because Mixu Paatelainen and Craig Brewster showed what a striker can do after they turn 30, says former striker Tam McManus. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip

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Ross County will let Simon Murray leave Dingwall – with the striker attracting interest from Hibs and Dundee – once they complete the signing of 25-year-old Irish striker Ronan Hale from Cliftonville (The Press & Journal, external)

Belgian club Beerschot are set to complete their move for Hibernian midfielder Ewan Henderson, 24, and former Stoke City winger English winger D'Margio Wright-Phillips (Nieuwsblad, in Dutch, external)

Read the rest of today's Scottish football gossip here.

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David Gray has been using Hibernian's pre-season training camp to help bed himself in to his new role as first-team coach.

After taking interim charge again at the end of last season, Gray was given the permanent job earlier this summer and has overseen wins in all three of their pre-season friendlies.

"The biggest thing for me is that a lot of people knew me already but had never seen me having to lead and actually put my own ideas across all the time," Gray told club media, external.

"It was good to get the opportunity to get everyone together and really understand how I see it moving forward, what I expect from them and what they expect from us.

"It puts us in a good position and now the focus is on the game against Elgin."

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David Gray will be afforded "leeway" as Hibs head coach due to his legendary status at the club, says Scott Allan.

The former Easter Road midfielder told BBC Radio Scotland he expects Gray to lead Hibs into the top six after gaining experience from the various managers he has worked under in recent times.

"He's someone who I played with and had a really good relationship with," Allan said.

"I think Hibs will be really strong this year. He's brought in a few defenders, they'll have a solid pace and you've still got the creativity in forward areas.

"I like [the appointment]. He knows the club. He'll have learned a lot in the last few years under Jack Ross, Shaun Maloney... There's four [managers] he's been through [as a coach]. He'll know what that club needs to get the fans back on side.

"Hibs have invested really well off the pitch but on the pitch, the product hasn't been good enough for what Hibs fans expect.

"He'll instil a bit of calm with the support. I think he'll get a bit of leeway because he is Sir David Gray to the Hibs fans."

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Hibernian recorded their third win in as many pre-season games as they beat current Super League Greece champions PAOK 1-0.

Martin Boyle scored the game's only goal inside the opening six minutes after he pressed the opposition goalkeeper and intercepted a pass inside of the area, with his touch deflecting the ball over the line first time.

David Gray's side stayed ahead for the rest of the game with their opponent's having a goal ruled out for offside and a handful of their own chances too.

Hibs' next game is on Saturday 13 July as they start their League Cup group stage campaign away to Elgin City.

Hibernian head coach David Gray says the club are working hard to sign a striker with only Dylan Vente at his disposal after summer departures. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Hibs have unveiled their much-anticipated away kit, external for the 2024-25 campaign.

The new kit will see the Edinburgh club wear an all-white strip for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

With an intricate pattern running throughout and a striking detail of a thistle on the back, it's sure to be a hit with supporters.

Hibernian have joined the race for Ipswich Town defender Corrie Ndaba who spent last season on loan to Kilmarnock. (Herald, external - subscription)

Winger Martin Boyle says he will only leave Hibernian when the club decide they no longer want him – and says he never meant to give fans the impression that he was trying to "jump ship" for a new life in Australia. (Edinburgh Evening News)

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

We asked who you are backing to be Hibernian's breakout star in the new season.

Here's what some of you said:

Sandy: For me it’s Josh Campbell, his time has come to excel for the club and unleash the potential he clearly has.

Peter: Harry McKirdy. Our much-maligned Dionysian forward has been wholly unconvincing in his time at Easter Road. But after heroically overcoming recent health issues, he stands on the cusp of an epic odyssey of redemption. After the resurrection must come the light. Expect fireworks on a Promethean scale from HM 2.0.

Martin: If the two new centre-backs can be solid and bring stability to our defence then Warren O’Hora and Marvin Ekpiteka will be everything we Hibs fans are asking for.

Scott: Still waiting on the breakout player to be signed. The signings thus far have been underwhelming and last season no player got pass marks.

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How does a backroom team get built?

Sporting director Malky Mackay sat down with club media in the Netherlands, where Hibs are on a training camp, to offer insight into the decision to name Eddie May, Liam Craig and Craig Samson as assistant coaches to David Gray.

What does a good backroom team look like?

"It's a really important blend the manager has to have around him. There has to be trust. You've got to make sure the guys have that sense of security they can tell him how they actually feel, what he doesn't want to hear without fear it's going to spoil the relationship. But at the same time, when he makes his mind up on something then they follow.

"There has to be the balance that generally they think similarly in a direction of travel. It's not an easy balance to strike sometimes."

Why these three & what will they bring?

"David's a new head coach, he needs people around him he is comfortable with. I think it is important that we didn't put someone with him who we decided on. At the same time, these guys have got to have an impact, they can't just be your friends.

"Eddie May has a long history with the club. He has been with David four times now, so there is a sense of security there and an understanding. He brings a calmness.

"Liam Craig captained the club, so we have someone who understands the fabric of it. From the feedback I received from clubs he's been at, he's not only a popular member but a real deep thinker.

"Craig Samson has been at the club before. His role is much bigger than a goalkeeping coach. He's a very positive, loud and bright person, and very experienced in Scottish football."

How are the team gelling?

"As I expected, really well. I did a fair bit of homework on the characters of the three individuals. All of them will be assistant coaches, which is important because there isn't a pecking order.

"I'm delighted the way the ambience of the training ground has been since they came in. They've been positive, proactive and enjoyed their work."

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Hibernian's narrow win over German third-tier side MSV Duisburg produced plenty of positives, according to Chris Cadden, as the team get to grips with David Gray's demands of "high-intensity football".

Josh Campbell's first-half header was all that separated the sides but defender Cadden admitted it was another crucial test under the new head coach with the start of the competitive season looming.

"It was good to just get back playing football, an 11-a-side game," Cadden, 27, said.

"It was a good test for the boys, I thought they looked sharp and they were a good team so a good way to get prepared for the start of the season.

"The gaffer had a meeting with us yesterday and told us what he wants from us in his style of play, so drip-feeding us information, especially for the new boys, was good to get.

"He wants high intensity so it was good to get them used to that."

Cadden played his part in the second half, with Gray naming a fresh team at the interval, after which tackles started to fly in.

"I always find that pre-season games end up like that, I don't know why," Cadden added.

"It was a little bit feisty, they were throwing a few challenges in, we did it as well, but it gets you ready for the start of the season.

"It's been tough, but that's what pre-season is about, we're well aware of that. It's a shorter pre-season with the League Cup coming so early so it's good to get the hard work in."

Hibernian midfielder Ewan Henderson, 24, is close to joining Beerschot in Belgium. (Herald - subscription), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

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Hibs made it two pre-season wins from two as they edged out German third-tier side MSV Duisburg 1-0 in the Netherlands.

Josh Campbell grabbed the only goal of the game when he headed home a first-half corner.

Dylan Vente had a goal ruled out for offside and Elie Youan hit the bar with a late header, but Hibs survived a scare when Jihad Boutakhrit fired wide after rounding goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott.

New signings Warren O'Hora and Marvin Ekpiteta made their debuts from the start as David Gray fielded a different XI in each half.

Harry McKirdy wasn't risked as the forward's workload is managed as he steps up his return from heart surgery.

Gray's side, who thumped Edinburgh City 5-0 in their opening friendly last Saturday, play Greek club PAOK on Saturday (15:00 BST) before returning from their week-long Dutch training camp on Monday.

Who do you think will be Hibernian's breakout star in the coming season?

Is there one particular youngster you are backing to impress or perhaps a fringe player who will come to the fore?

Have your say here, external.