Hibernian

Ten years on from making his debut for Hibs as a player, the time has now come for Gray to take on the head coach job at Easter Road. One of the hottest seats in Scottish football.

Many will say this is a risk for the club - and they would be right. But every managerial appointment is a gamble of some sort.

However, since Jack Ross was cruelly shown the door in December 2021, just 10 days before a League Cup final, Hibs have jumped around to try to find the one person that can set alight the club's vision for success.

And, after hanging up his boots as a player three years ago, Gray has been listening, watching and hopefully learning how he can make an impact as permanent team boss if the opportunity arises. Now it has.

In making this move, the Hibs board may well have taken a look at what happened across the city with rivals Hearts when they appointed the inexperienced Steven Naismith as head coach.

Not every Hearts fan was in agreement and patience was required. But, in the end, it paid off handsomely.

The Gordon family have to be applauded for their continued investment in Hibs.

Along with the Bill Foley/Black Knights investment, Hibs are in a stable situation financially and will be hoping the appointment of Gray, given his legendary status at Easter Road, will have fans flocking to buy season tickets ahead of the new season.

The job Gray has landed is one of the big five in Scotland, but that comes with a responsibility and accountability with every new signing and every starting XI scrutinised. New managers at any club are given a very short honeymoon period by supporters.

Before their first match in the League Cup against Elgin City next month, Gray will have an eye on who he wants to keep from what was a bloated squad at the end of last season and who he wants to bring in.

That is where the new sporting director, Malky Mackay, could be invaluable given his experience and extensive contacts throughout the UK and abroad.

However, whatever happens, Gray certainly won't fail due to lack of effort or application. The same attributes he had as a player will now follow him into the managerial hotseat.

After four stints as interim boss, David Gray has been appointed Hibs head coach.

The Scottish Cup-winning captain is the club's sixth manager in just over four years.

What do you make of the appointment of the Hibs legend? A risky move or are you in favour of the board taking a different direction?

And what should his priorities be in a big summer for the club?

Have your say here., external

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David Gray is determined to deliver success for Hibs and says it is a "true honour" to be appointed head coach of "this great football club".

Gray, skipper and scorer of the winning goal in the 2016 final as Hibs ended a 114-year wait for Scottish Cup glory, replaces Nick Montgomery to become the club’s sixth manager in just four-and-a-half years.

The 36-year-old Edinburgh native is tasked with reviving the team’s fortunes after last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish.

"It is a real privilege for me to become the head coach of this great football club," said Gray.

"Everyone knows how much Hibs means to me. It is a massive club with a phenomenal fanbase that I know very well – so to be given this opportunity is a true honour.

"From being here as a player and a coach for over 10 years, I know what a successful Hibs team looks like and I am determined to succeed and take our club forward."

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Hibs conducted a “robust recruitment process” before naming David Gray as the club’s new permanent head coach, says sporting director Malky Mackay.

Easter Road legend Gray, 36, has signed a three-year contract after four spells as interim manager.

Gray has been at the club for a decade as player then coach and Mackay - who led the managerial search - says his promotion to the hotseat provides "stability".

"Following a robust recruitment process, David emerged as our preferred candidate and we are delighted to have him on board,” Mackay said.

"Having watched his progression closely over a number of years, David’s ready to step up and become Hibernian FC’s head coach.

"David understands the pressures and demands that comes with a club like Hibs, knows Scottish football inside out, is an excellent coach and a strong man-manager.

"He already has good relationships with the current playing squad and members of staff both at HTC and Easter Road, which provides an element of stability, and we know he’s the right man for the job."

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Additional investment in Hibernian has been approved, the club have confirmed.

Shareholders Leslie Robb, Hibernian Supporters Limited (HSL), and Bydand Sports LLC have all increased their respective shareholdings.

The extra investment has been approved by Bill Foley's Black Knight Football Group, who bought a 25% stake of the club for £6m earlier this year.

Hibs are poised to name caretaker boss David Gray as permanent head coach and are set for a squad overhaul this summer under the guidance of recently-appointed sporting director Malky Mackay.

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Several clubs in Scandinavia are interested in Emiliano Marcondes after the midfielder was released by Bournemouth following his loan to Hibernian and with Norwich City deciding against pursuing the Dane. (Record), external

Raith Rovers are poised to complete the signing of 34-year-old freed Hibernian centre-half Paul Hanlon. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Controversy and VAR have been intertwined ever since its implementation in the Scottish top flight in October 2022.

From handball decisions to fouls and penalties, managers and fans alike have had grievances over the technology - and the length of time taken for decisions to be made.

With the 2023-24 season complete and the new campaign a number of weeks away, would you rather see VAR scrapped from Scottish football or persevered with?

Cast your vote here.

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Emiliano Marcondes is now a free agent after being released by Bournemouth - does that open the door to a potential permanent return to Hibernian?

During a six-month loan at Easter Road last season, the Danish midfielder scored three goals in 17 appearances.

The 29-year-old enjoyed some standout performances in an underperforming Hibs team that finished in the Premiership's bottom six.

Wage demands for a permanent deal could prove to be excessive for the Leith side if they make a move.

Hibs are also yet to appoint a first-team manager after the departure of Nick Montgomery, who brought Marcondes to the club, which could be another factor in any potential deal.

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Guillaume Beuzelin believes David Gray would unite former club Hibernian if given the manager's job. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

We asked you to name Hibs' best cult hero signings - the player that showed up with little expectation (and perhaps ability) but won over the support.

Here's what some of you said:

Colin: Matthias Jack never backed down. I had a shirt printed the first season he arrived with his name and number. Never forgiven him for changing it the next season! Still loved him and his goal against Dundee United.

Joe: Paco Luna. If only he had buried that header against Athens.

Duncan: Can think of a few 'streets will remember' sort of players. Dominque Malonga would be a good one, scored some important and quality goals for the Hibs. Scott Allan stands out as a top player who drove us forward. Ivan Sproule could change games by himself and became a cult hero for sure, with the iconic picture of him being carried at Ibrox.

Craig: Cult heroes don’t come any better than the one and only, Jimmy Boco.

Peter: Efe Ambrose. Velveteen first touch. Maverick raids forward. Acrobatic goal celebrations. Not to mention his lightning post-match dashes to the erstwhile kebab establishments of Easter Road, before the shrill blast of the the final whistle had faded into the ether. Top-tier character.

Sandy: Stan Vincent was a forward in the 1960s who couldn’t fully break into the first team because of the likes of Colin Stein and Eric Stevenson. But he did score against Hearts An Edinburgh man born and bred, and a hero to me . I started supporting Hibs in the 1960s and remembered him.

Archie: Farid El Alagui - injuries meant his game time was limited but he lit up an otherwise bleak season in the Championship with memorable moments, none more so than a last-minute goal against Hearts at Easter Road.

Anon: Cult hero? Stephane Omeonga, without a doubt. Came on the pitch from bench, first match, rallied his teammates, was an incredible motivator with pace. Off pitch, won the support of the fan base with kind, loyal manner and played Sunshine on Leith beautifully on the piano! We should never have let him go, solid midfielder.

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Hibs' new manager will start life in the role with a trip to Elgin City in the opening game of the Premier Sports Cup.

The Easter Road side travel to Borough Briggs on Saturday, 13 July before hosting Queen's Park in Leith live on TV.

They will then head to Fife to face Kelty Hearts and round off their campaign with a home meeting against Peterhead.

Fixtures (All times BST)

Elgin City v Hibs - Saturday, 13 July (15:00)

Hibs v Queen's Park - Tuesday, 16 July (19:45)

Kelty Hearts v Hibs - Saturday, 20 July (15:00)

Hibs v Peterhead - Saturday, 27 July (15:00)

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Hibernian could rekindle their interest in Bournemouth defender Owen Bevan. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Lewis Stevenson has signed for Raith Rovers following the end of his long career with Hibernian.

The 36-year-old left-back has signed with his boyhood team until the summer of 2026.

He spent 22 years with Hibs, making his 600th appearance earlier in May.

"Delighted to finally be here," he told Rovers' website. "I was an avid armchair fan last season, everyone at the club (has) done so well and hopefully we can kick on again next season."

Rovers manager Ian Murray, who played with Stevenson at Easter Road, added: "Lewis is obviously an excellent signing for us and a player I know well. He will bring so much experience and his attitude has set an example to others over his career.

"He can play in a couple of positions and has so much quality. I really look forward to working with him again and I’m sure, being a local guy, the supporters will agree it’s a great signing."

Stevenson won the League Cup in 2007 and the Scottish Cup in 2016, the only player to complete that double as a Hibs player.

Players come and go, but sometimes a new face will arrive and win the hearts of supporters unexpectedly.

Who's the lesser-remembered player that showed up at Hibs with little expectation and perhaps had more passion than talent, but turned into a hero loved across the fanbase?

Give us your shout. , external

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Chief executive Neil Doncaster says crowd figures are "hugely promising" after the SPFL broke its attendance record for the second year running.

Over 5.15m supporters took to the stands to watch their side across all SPFL competitions in 2023-24, covering the Premiership, Championship, League 1, League 2, League Cup and the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The year-on-year figure marks an increase of 64,122 on the season prior's record high, when the number of people attending SPFL matches surpassed 5m for the first time.

A total of of 4,746,052 fans attended games across the four divisions, with Premiership matches attracting 3,760,765.

Scotland continues to have the best attendances figures per capita across its top four divisions in Europe with 21.3 per 1000 people - 65% ahead of second-placed the Netherlands.

Doncaster said: “After topping five million fans across an SPFL season for the first time in season 2022/23, it is hugely promising to see attendances growing even further this season.

“Our supporters are renowned across the world for their dedication and passion and regularly record the highest per capita attendance in Europe."

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Former captain David Gray is on Hibernian’s final shortlist for their vacant manager's job. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Raith Rovers chief executive Andy Barrowman says it's "business as usual" at Stark's Park as their manager Ian Murray is linked to former club Hibs. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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As well as Martin Boyle's Australia call-up, Hibernian will have an additional three players off on international duty this summer.

Rocky Bushiri is in the DR Congo squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Senegal and Togo next month.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott could also feature in qualifying for the 2026 tournament with Ghana, who face Mali and Central Africa in June.

Finally, midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh has been selected to represent Guyana in their double-header with Panama and Belize, also taking place next month.

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Hibs will face Queen's Park, Kelty Hearts, Peterhead and Elgin City in Group C of the Premier Sports Cup next season.

The group stage gets under way on the weekend of 13-14 July and wraps up on 27-28 July.

The eight group winners and three best runners-up join European participants Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren in the last 16 on the weekend of August 17-18.

Click here to view the draw in full.

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Four Premiership players from three clubs feature in Australia's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Hibernian forward Martin Boyle has been named in Graham Arnold's 25-man set-up, along with Hearts duo Cammy Devlin and Kye Rowles.

Departing St Mirren right-back Ryan Strain, who is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, is also in there.

The Socceroos take on Bangladesh and Palestine next month.

Myziane Maolida says it is unlikely he will be returning to Hibernian next season but has thanked the Scottish Premiership club for giving him a platform to impress on a loan spell from Hertha Berlin that has opened up new opportunities for the 25-year-old Comoros international striker. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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