Hibernian

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

What a week it's been for Hibs, a Boxing Day Derby win over struggling Hearts lifted the spirits before a hard-fought win over in-form Kilmarnock brought the curtain down on what's been a largely disappointing 2024.

Despite the lows of the year, Hibs finished 2024 on an almighty high, winning our first derby at Tynecastle Park in exactly five years with an impressive performance that was capped by a goal of the highest quality from veteran striker, Dwight Gayle.

The former Newcastle United forward guided a brilliant Nicky Cadden cross past Craig Gordon with the deftest of touches to send the away end into raptures and gave Hibs a deserved win.

The post-match scenes were terrific, with Rocky Bushiri leading the celebrations with the Hibs support.

It's a scene that was barely imaginable just a few weeks back as Hibs toiled at the foot of the table after a nightmare performance in Dundee.

Since then, we've not looked back, with only a defeat to Celtic showing as a blip on the form guide, and we now find ourselves in touching distance of a top six spot.

It's been a fantastic period for David Gray and his team, and we go into January in great condition and full of hope for the rest of the season.

Matty Fairnie can be found at the Longbangers podcast, external

Hibernian are considering a pre-contract move for Zander Clark with the Scotland goalkeeper frustrated by his current lack of game time with city rivals Hearts, while Rotherham United's Cameron Dawson could arrive as early as next month with summer loan signing Josef Bursik out of the picture after a horrific start to his time in Scotland. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Out-of-favour midfielder Luke Amos has taken to social media to confirm that he will be looking to leave Hibernian in January, less than a year into his 18-month contract. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

• St Johnstone have lost both of their last two league meetings with Hibernian; the Saints last lost three in a row to Hibs in the top-flight in September 2009.

• Hibernian have won six of their last nine Scottish Premiership away games at St Johnstone (D1 L2), including a 3-1 victory most recently in April 2024.

• St Johnstone have won their opening league game in just one of the last 11 calendar years (D3 L7), beating Livingston 1-0 in 2019.

• Hibernian are winless in their opening league game in each of the last four calendar years (D1 L3) since a 2-1 win over Hamilton to start 2020.

• The side scoring first has won each of the last five league meetings between St Johnstone and Hibernian since a 1-1 draw in April 2023.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Hibs' 1-0 win against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

(Available to UK users only).

Image source, SNS

Former Rangers and Motherwell striker Ross McCormack is delighted to see Chris Cadden back playing regularly.

McCormack, who left Motherwell in 2008, returned on loan in 2019 and played alongside Cadden who is now at Hibs.

The right-back spent almost a year on the sidelines after rupturing his ACL in May 2023 following a difficult few years with injury but since his return in February he's been an important member of Hibs' XI.

"When I went back on loan to Motherwell, Chris was there and he was going through a really tough period at the time," McCormack told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He was coming back from a long-term injury. So for me, for me personally, to see what he's doing now back in the team after such a long layoff like that, it's really, really good to see."

McCormack has also been really impressed with the defender's brother Nicky Cadden.

"Talking about the other Cadden on the left," he added.

"I've seen it countless times this season when he just takes it out of his feet and just bends it around and if you can make that run and be even only half, not even half, a second across that defender you've got a chance.

"He's been brilliant he's been absolutely fantastic."

With the January transfer window fast approaching, where does your club need to strengthen?

Who do you want brought in and who - if anyone - is it time to ship out?

Tell us your dream transfer window, external

Image source, SNS

Nectarios Triantis says Hibs' persistence is finally paying off after they recorded four wins in a row for the first time in over two years.

After a rocky start to the season, Sunday's 1-0 win over Kilmarnock made it five wins out of six for David Gray's side who are now seventh in the Premiership table.

When asked what has prompted their turnaround, the midfielder said: "I think just the persistence,

"Us holding our heads high knowing that we had those good performances, but things just weren't really going our way.

"So I think the biggest thing was just the persistence of going harder every day, keeping 100% mentality and now the fortunes are happily turning.

"Whoever plays in our system, we have to trust the gaffer and trust what he says and to implement what he says to us.

"I think we're just giving it our all and luckily for us it's working out best."

We asked for your views on Hibs' 1-0 win against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

David: Terrific three points and a clean sheet without playing well. Expected a tougher afternoon given Killie had thumped the Dons last week. Rarely troubled and another excellent display from Nectar Triantis who's really starting to own the number six role. Fifth place on Thursday if results go our way. Well done David Gray.

Peter: A string of four wins can't be argued with. Defence looks better organised however attack must be more clinical. Personally impressed by the tremendous team spirit on show that was missing at the start of the season, they now fight for every ball and for each other: good to see.

John: The players have the talent and physicality to be a very decent top six team. What they needed to find was a cohesive way to play, a belief in each other and a determination to turn things round. Fair play to Gray and the players, after a switch to three at the back they have ticked all those boxes. Onwards and upwards.

Kenny: Another great result. We have stopped losing silly goals now and the team are playing with great confidence. All the players are working hard and that's what's getting results. We need to keep the work rate going and get another three points on Thursday. Good work.

Darren: The match wasn't a thriller by any stretch but who would have thought Hibs would win four games in a row? Not me, not anybody! Great credit must go to the manager and the players. Can we keep the momentum going now?

Dougie: Was never going to be the swashbuckling affair of Boxing Day, but we are now adapting to the teams we are playing, we look composed and our game management is excellent. Gray is bringing the correct substitutions on at the correct time. St Johnstone will be another challenge but we seem to play better away from home, four points from the next two games will do nicely.

Hearts' Zander Clark, 32, and Rotherham's Cameron Dawson, 29, are on Hibernian's list of potential goalkeeper signings. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Hibs midfielder Rudi Molotnikov, 18, has signed a new deal with the club that runs until 2029. (Herald - subscription), external

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes despairs about the red card shown to Danny Armstrong in Sunday's 1-0 defeat away to Hibernian. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

• Nicky Cadden has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (one goal, two assists).

• Kilmarnock have failed to score in seven of their 20 games, only Ross County (nine) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.

• Hibernian have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of five games from 3 November 2024 to 30 November 2024.

• Kilmarnock have had seven players sent off in the Premiership this season, more than any other team in the competition.

Watch all the action from Hibernian's 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

(Available to UK users only).

Nectar Triantis' glancing first-half header earned revitalised Hibernian a fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership win as they beat Kilmarnock.

David Gray's men were rarely threatened by Derek McInnes' side, who went down to 10-men in the second half following Danny Armstrong's dismissal.

After a miserable start to life as permanent boss at Easter Road, David Gray has now overseen four straight wins to lift Hibs three points clear of Kilmarnock in seventh - with the top six firmly in sight.

Hibs fans, were you at Easter Road to witness your team's victory or following along from home? Either way, we want to know your thoughts.

Have your say here., external

Image source, SNS

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "Today was always going to be a real difficult day. The conditions, the team we were playing against and because of the highs of the last two performances, especially the win at Tynecastle. Today was a big ask to push the players again. And credit to them, they found a way to win today.

"It was by no means our fluent best. But I'm delighted with the result and the clean sheet, and the way we handled the game. I would like us to be more clinical to make for an easier afternoon but, at the same time, good effort from everyone involved to return four straight wins.

"We need to keep it going, the positivity we have ended the year in. We need to always remember how quickly things can change, but they can also go the other way. We need to guard against that. We are now chasing down that top six.

"Right at the very end of the [first] half, [Joe Newell] went into a tackle and overstretched his groin a little bit. We will just see how he goes. Hopefully it is nothing serious."

Cam Wanstall
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

After a truly miserable start to life as permanent boss at Easter Road, David Gray has now overseen four straight wins to lift Hibs three points clear of Kilmarnock in seventh - with the top six firmly in sight.

While it was not a hugely-impressive attacking performance, a strong defensive showing - produced by the new-look back three - earned the points.

It was a sharp start for Hibs, with Martin Boyle and the Cadden brothers crafting space on the flanks to whip in threatening crosses.

A slump ensued, however. A barren 30-minute spell without attempting a single shot carried over into the second half, before unlikely offensive pair Lewis Miller and Rocky Bushiri had efforts denied after the restart.

Following Danny Armstrong's red card, Hibs were able to maintain their lead by putting in a spirited, fighting performance for the remainder of the match - a quality they lacked at the start of the season.

Image source, SNS

Lewis Miller was a dominant force in both defence, attack and in transition.

The Australian defender made six interceptions, won 10 of his 11 duels, and attempted two of Hibs' seven shots.

Image source, SNS

Elie Youan misses out entirely following Hibernian's Edinburgh derby victory. Junior Hoilett beats Boxing Day hero Dwight Gayle to the Frenchman's spot up top.

David Gray also opts to bring in Lewis Miller as a replacement for defender Warren O'Hora, who has been nursing an ankle issue in recent weeks and drops to the bench.

Mykola Kuharevich, Rudi Molotnikov, Kieron Bowie and Marvin Ekpiteta each remain sidelined by injury.

Follow our live coverage here.

Hibernian: Smith, Miller, Bushiri, Iredale, C Cadden, Triantis, Newell, N Cadden, Campbell, Hoilett, Boyle.

Substitutes: Bursik, O'Hora, Levitt, Amos, McKirdy, Hyeok-kyu, Obita, Moriah-Welsh, Gayle.

Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Mayo, Wright, Ndaba, Armstrong, Watson, Polwarth, Lyons, Murray, Vassell, Wales.

Substitutes: O'Hara, Burroughs, Deas, McKenzie, Mackay-Steven, Magennis, Cameron, Anderson, Donnelly.

Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark is on the Hibs list of potential transfer targets for next season, while the Easter Road club intend to sign a new keeper in January and are keen on a loan move for Rotherham United's Cameron Dawson. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Hibs striker Mykola Kuharevich and midfielder Rudi Molotnikov could return after missing out recently with groin issues.

Defender Warren O'Hora will be checked after playing through recent games with an ankle issue, but Marvin Ekpiteta and Kieron Bowie are still out.

Kilmarnock welcome back defender Robbie Deas after suspension, while winger Matty Kennedy could return after injury.

But Stuart Findlay is a long-term absentee.

Image source, SNS

Hibs head coach David Gray challenged his players to keep improving after a recent run of results catapulted them up the Scottish Premiership.

Gray's side have taken 13 points from their last six games, and have climbed to seventh in the table having previously sat bottom.

Gray now wants his team to look up rather than down, as they prepare to take on Kilmarnock at Easter Road on Sunday.

"We need to keep moving forward," Gray said. "But as I've already demonstrated when we were down the bottom end and going through adversity, the narrative can quickly change.

"We've demonstrated that in the last three or four weeks, which is great, but we still can't rely on thinking we've just turned the corner.

"We need to keep improving, we need to keep getting better, keep working on these areas that we need to improve and guard against complacency.

"Every game in this league, as you've seen, everyone can beat everyone and it can quickly change. But we're in a real positive moment at the minute.

"We've got a massive game against Kilmarnock to look forward to, to end the year. If we go and do that with another three points it would be a real positive end to the year and something we can take into the new year."

Image source, SNS

• Hibernian have only lost one of their last 12 Scottish Premiership meetings with Kilmarnock (W7 D4), going down 0-1 in November 2022 under Lee Johnson.

• Kilmarnock are winless in 10 Scottish Premiership visits to Hibernian (D3 L7), losing their last five in a row and failing to score at all in their last four.

• Hibernian have lost their final league match in five of the last six calendar years, winning the other 3-1 at Dundee United in 2021.

• Excluding years in which they were relegated, Kilmarnock have only lost their last Scottish Premiership match of a calendar year in one of their last seven such games (W3 D3), a 0-1 defeat to St Mirren in 2019.

• Kilmarnock's Bruce Anderson has scored in three of his last five Scottish Premiership appearances against Hibernian, including once in both of his last two against Hibs.

The Sportscene team analyse Dwight Gayle's winning goal in Hibs' 2-1 win against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.