Hibernian

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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The full-time scenes at Easter Road reflected the high everyone associated with Hibs are on just now.

Sunshine on Leith was belted out again with most home fans staying to celebrate with the players, who stood arm-in-arm, soaking it all in.

David Gray's name was also chanted in unison - and little wonder given the scale of the turnaround he has orchestrated.

From the foot of the Premiership to third - the form team in the country, who seem capable of positive results from any position.

They plan to take 7,000 fans to Celtic Park for next weekend's Scottish Cup quarter-final. The fanbase sense something special happening under Gray - and who can blame them?

Against their city rivals, they were below-par in the opening 45 minutes. There were some shaky moments at the back and several passes failed to find their mark against a well-organised Hearts side.

However, this team are not used to being second best and they went up a gear after the break.

Nicky Cadden's delivery from the left has been a feature of this long unbeaten run and he drove standards down that flank, creating two or three opportunities from nothing.

Hibs penned Hearts in their own half and, with just over 15 minutes remaining, they got their just rewards.

Jack Iredale will likely never score a better goal. It was a moment that will live long in the memory for both him and all Hibs fans.

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Hibs head coach David Gray has been named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for February

Gray's side took 10 points from a possible 12 in February, including wins over Aberdeen, Celtic and Dundee United.

Hibs are fourth in the league table before Sunday's Edinburgh derby against Hearts.

"This is very much a reflection on how well the group has done," Gray said.

"It's been a difficult month because of the fixtures we've had, but to have the kind of points return we've had is a reflection of everyone's hard work.

"I'd to thank the players and all the staff for their efforts."

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David Gray is urging Hibs to embrace the pressure of Sunday's Edinburgh derby clash against Hearts.

The capital clubs face off having both recovered from dismal starts to the season - Hibs are unbeaten in 14 while Hearts have lost just one of their last 11 games.

Gray's side were held to a 1-1 draw at Easter Road but narrowly beat Neil Critchley's side 2-1 at Tynecastle on Boxing Day.

"You know what it means to both sets of supporters and you want to be the team on top," the Hibs boss said.

"I know that more than anybody growing up in the city and having played in these games, they're fantastic games to be involved in.

"And now sitting on the other side, as a manager, I'm thoroughly enjoying them as well.

"These are the games you kind of wish you were playing in, to be honest. As a player, I thoroughly enjoyed them and the message to the players is that these are the games you need to look forward to.

"From everything that goes with it this weekend, from where the two teams are, the form they're in, the form we're in, what's at stake for everyone involved, it's a fantastic opportunity, a great game to look forward to."

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• After their 2-1 win on Boxing Day, Hibs could win successive top-fight meetings with rivals Hearts for the first time since May 2009 under Mixu Paatelainen.

• Hearts have only lost one of their last nine away games against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership (W4 D4), a 1-0 defeat in April 2023 under Robbie Neilson.

• Hibs are unbeaten in 12 league games (W8 D4), their longest run in the Scottish Premiership since May 2018 (also 12) – a streak which was ended by a defeat to Hearts (2-1).

• Hearts have won four of their past five league games (L1), including both of their past two. They last won three in a row in the Scottish Premiership in February 2024 (run of six).

• Only Celtic (17) and Aberdeen (12) have had more goals scored by substitutes (excl. own goals) in the Scottish Premiership this season than Hibs (11), who had two such goals against Dundee United last time out.

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Hibernian pair Elie Youan and Dylan Levitt are both back in contention after injury but captain Joe Newell is out.

Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin is set to remain sidelined with concussion, while defenders Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley (both hamstring) and Frankie Kent (quad) are still out.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibs head coach David Gray says his side's impressive form provides a "brilliant opportunity" to finish the Scottish Premiership season on a high and secure European football.

The Easter Road club have put their torrid start behind them with a 14-match unbeaten run and are just one point behind Aberdeen in third.

They take on Edinburgh rivals Hearts on Sunday, who themselves have shot up the table into the top six with a strong run of results.

Hibs won the last meeting of the sides 2-1 at Tynecastle on Boxing Day, and Gray says his team are riding the crest of a wave heading into the much-anticipated derby, having beaten Celtic and Dundee United in their past two matches.

Sunshine on Leith was sung proudly by the Easter Road crowd after the Celtic victory, while the entire squad celebrated with the sizeable away following at Tannadice on Wednesday.

"We're talking about it a lot, that togetherness," Gray said. "A lot of that was built on the poor start, constantly being questioned.

"When you see the scenes - Sunshine on Leith, winning at Tynecastle for the first time in five years was huge, even just the scenes at Dundee United at the full-time whistle. Everybody running directly to the fans, you really feel it.

"We're seeing that in the performances as well - subs coming on and affecting the game. That helps with winning games.

"We can't go into the derby in a better place than we are, but nothing changes in terms of what we need to achieve moving forwards."

Gray won't let his players rest of their laurels though with just five games to go until the split.

"[The run of form has] been brilliant," he said. "We've given ourselves a brilliant opportunity because we've had to go on that run. You look at how tight the table still is, it just shows you how difficult that run is.

"We need to keep moving forward, keep progressing because we've still got a lot to do and there's still a lot of huge games before the split. Once we see where we are, we can start looking up the way from there."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibs boss David Gray has been talking in the build-up to Sunday's Edinburgh derby against Hearts.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Gray says the fine form of both sides is "irrelevant" going into a derby and he is relishing a "fantastic game to look forward to".

• Hibs' 14-game unbeaten run gives them a "brilliant opportunity" to finish the season on a high. Gray wants his team to keep improving and ramp it up in the five matches before the split. He stressed their next target is to catch third-place Aberdeen.

• The Hibs boss is proud of his team for showing their character at Tannadice in midweek to win and and keep fighting to the end having gone a goal down.

• He challenged his players to enjoy the derby and says these are the games you miss after you retire because of the atmosphere and what it means to the city - the memories "live with you forever".

• The team that can be "calm in the chaos" tends to come out on top on derby day. Gray says you have to have the right mentality to thrive in these games.

• He praised Junior Hoilett's professionalism, his "calmness and composure", and says the Canada forward wants to play more minutes but still sets a brilliant example to younger players.

• Eilie Youan and Dylan Levitt have trained and are available for selection. Joe Newell remains sidelined.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

After horrendous starts to the league season, Hibs stuck by their head coach while rivals Hearts changed theirs. Both strategies appear to have worked.

When the sides drew 1-1 at Easter Road in October, three games after Neil Critchley succeeded the sacked Steven Naismith, they remained tied on points at the foot of the table, with Hibs bottom on goal difference.

Few at the time would have fancied the chances of either finishing the season in third place.

After Hibs won 2-1 at Tynecastle on Boxing Day, Hearts were still stuck in second bottom, while the visitors' win merely lifted them five points clear of the relegation play-off spot, albeit up to seventh.

However, Sunday's derby has switched from being a relegation dogfight into a race to secure a place in the top half, with Hibs having moved up to fourth and Hearts to sixth - for the first time since August - after both enjoyed 3-1 wins in midweek.

Indeed, both will have their sights set firmly on catching an Aberdeen side who have regained third spot after ending a dismal spell of their own but suffered a 5-1 thumping away to leaders Celtic on Tuesday.

Hearts, though, can ill-afford to slip up this time as they head to the other side of Edinburgh Castle, considering they are four points behind Hibs and Dundee United - and a further point adrift of the Dons.

Critchley's side have suffered just one defeat - to second-top Rangers - in 12 outings and are seven unbeaten on the road.

However, David Gray's hosts are on an even more impressive unbeaten run of 14, winning 10 of them, eight of those at Easter Road.

A derby cracker would appear assured after Hibs and Hearts displayed their new-found resilience by coming back from a goal down to beat United and St Mirren, respectively, on Wednesday.

With seven goals in eight games since arriving on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise, striker Elton Kabangu has been instrumental in Hearts' mid-season push and will provide a stern test for the defensive stability that has been the foundation of Hibs' own recovery.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

Hibs forward Mykola Kuharevich is desperate to score in Sunday's Edinburgh derby at home to Hearts. (Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Hibernian have secured an allocation of "up to 7,000 tickets" for their Scottish Cup quarter-final visit to Celtic.

The Easter Road side sold an initial batch of 2,667 for the 9 March tie within five days.

On requesting a bigger share of the match gate during "long discussions", Hibs say they were referred to the Scottish FA handbook, which states "the away club shall be responsible for payment to the home club for all tickets delivered."

A statement confirming the large increase acknowledges the "financial risk" involved and "understanding the demand from our supporters".

Hibs go on to say a general sale will go ahead on a date that is "dependant on when we receive the tickets from Celtic".

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

While Hibs have scored the third-highest number of goals in the Premiership, they have lacked a consistent threat at the top end of the park.

Mykola Kuharevich has flattered to deceive in his second spell at the club, while 35-year-old Dwight Gayle admitted his "body's breaking down" and has spoken of this being his farewell campaign.

There is a shirt to be claimed up front and, with the league race entering the final straight, head coach David Gray might have found his man - Kieron Bowie.

The 22-year-old arrived last summer and made four substitute appearances, scoring once, before getting injured on Scotland Under-21 duty, much to the annoyance of Hibs fans.

They'd seen enough in that short spell to convince them the former Fulham forward could have a big season and now he's finally back fit, he's gone about proving them right.

In one of his first games back, he flicked on a throw-in for Rocky Bushiri to head in the winner against Ayr United and put them through the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Bowie then made his first start in last weekend's 2-1 win over Celtic. He was an absolute pest to the champions' defence, winning four fouls and battling in 19 total duels, 10 of which were in the air.

Not yet fit enough to start two games in four days, he came off the bench against Dundee United to put Hibs ahead in the 90th minute, before fellow sub Junior Hoilett made sure of the win deep into stoppage time.

It was a fantastic finish too, running on to Nectar Triantis' through ball, sliding to get the shot away, and lashing it into the top corner with venom.

Could Sunday's Edinburgh derby be the perfect stage for Bowie to properly announce himself as Hibs aim to extend a 14-game unbeaten streak?

Of course, Kuharevich also got on the scoresheet against United, with a fine back-post header that levelled the scores at Tannadice. The Ukrainian has just four goals in 14 starts this season and Wednesday night was his first league start since November.

Gayle, who scored the winner at Tynecastle in the Boxing Day derby, also has just four goals, with his last strike coming against St Johnstone on 2 January.

Gray is sure to be tempted to partner Bowie with current captain and top marksman Martin Boyle (seven goals) after their impressive showing at home to Celtic but has mixed and matched his options well during this impressive run.

We asked for your thoughts on the 3-1 win over Dundee United that sent Hibs fourth in the Premiership.

Here's what some of you said:

Kenny: Was scrappy at times but we defended well again. David Gray got the subs on at the right time and that lifted the team again, and it was no surprise when we scored. A great goal from Kieron Bowie and then another from Junior Hoilett to seal it. Another great result.

FM: Good to see Bowie showing his class, but got to wonder about the 16 points we've lost from winning positions throughout the season. Would've had a real chance for a top-two finish.

John: Fantastic result and will admit I didn't see it coming the way we were playing. All I can say is thank you Hibernian for proving me wrong. The derby on Sunday should be a cracker as both teams are on form at the moment.

Andy: What a finish. Admittedly, we have benefitted from VAR decisions in the last two games, both of which have resulted in wins. However, the fight and resilience in this team is amazing. I love watching them. Being in the away end with the last-minute winner was electric, and we can now head into the derby full of confidence.

Sandy: There are new Hibs heroes born every match these days. Tonight it was the turn of Bowie and Hoilett. This win was a hard-won 3-1, but gives us a much-deserved fourth place. There's a climate change at Easter Road - the new Tornadoes perhaps?

Michael: A superb away performance. Defended really well and looked dangerous on the counter. Very pleased for all three goal scorers as they were all needing a goal. Thought Nathan Moriah-Welsh was excellent in midfield and Mykola Kuharevich had his best game this season. Bring on the Jambos!

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• Hibs are undefeated in their last 12 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 31 January 2018 to 5 May 2018.

• Nectarios Triantis has assisted five goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Hibs player.

• Ross Graham scored his third goal in the Premiership this season, a new career high in a single edition of the tournament. The Dundee United defender has now scored two goals in two league appearances against Hibs.

• Hibs have beaten Dundee United for the first time in the Premiership since 26 December 2021, a run of six games without a win.

• Hibs have won 13 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• Dundee United have lost 16 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (20) and Hibs (18) have lost more.

Hibernian have opened talks with goalkeeper Jordan Smith, whose current contract runs until June 2026, over a new deal as reward for the 30-year-old's impressive form. (Football Insider), external

Aberdeen were only willing to offer Jamie McGrath a new three-year contract, but the 28-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder will head to Scottish Premiership rivals Hibs this summer after the Leith club landed him with an extra 12 months on the table. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Watch the best of the action as Hibernian come from behind to win at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

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Late goals from substitutes Kieron Bowie and Junior Hoilett gave Hibernian a dramatic late victory at Tannadice as they moved above hosts Dundee United into fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "A huge three points, especially when we haven't played at our best.

"It was always going to be difficult after the magnitude of the win over Celtic and the effort that went into that.

"The subs made a massive impact and I'm delighted for them. Then you saw the scenes at the end, even the ones that didn't play. That squad togetherness is there.

"Kieron (Bowie) has come back even stronger than he was before his injury and I'm delighted all that work has paid off. He took his goal exceptionally well.

"It keeps the momentum going and now we focus on chasing Aberdeen down."