Hibernian

BBC Scotland's Edinburgh football reporter Brian McLauchlin has been answering your questions.

John asked: What has gone wrong with the Black Knights partnership?

Brian answered: It's a great question, John, as it is close on a year now since news broke that Bill Foley and his Black Knights consortium were in discussions with the Gordon family and looking to invest around £6m in the club.

The deal was then formally agreed by Hibernian shareholders in February this year.

Whenever any new investment reaches a club the immediate thoughts of the supporters is how can this improve the team?

The club said at the time that while some of the money would be used to assist with the squad, funds would also go towards the infrastructure at both Easter Road and the training ground.

I am sure Foley and everyone at Hibs were not expecting to end up in the bottom six.

CEO Ben Kensell said the deal was "game changing" for Hibs, but in reality nothing on the football side has changed.

Over the next few months there must be a progress on a number of matters to enable the partnership to become successful.

On the pitch players have to deliver. David Gray inherited a bloated squad and it’s mightily difficult to move players on when they are on high wages.

Off the pitch there has to be more of an alignment between the club and Foley. Disputes behind the scenes are unhealthy for any organisation and when Foley comes out publicly, as he has done in questioning board decisions, that can only cause outcry.

So until they physically sit down and thrash out some agreement on how to move forward, there will always be people looking to criticise.

Image source, Getty Images

Hibernian defender Lewis Miller scored his first international goal as Australia came from behind to beat China 3-1 in World Cup qualifying.

In Tony Popovic's first game as new head coach, China took the lead in Adelaide before Miller powered in a header from a wide free-kick just before the break.

The Socceroos went on to take the lead in the second half through Craig Goodwin before Nishan Velupillay added a late third.

Hearts' Kye Rowles played the entire game in defence, but there were no minutes for Motherwell striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, who did not get off the bench.

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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

When the full-time whistle blew at Easter Road on Saturday the home fans were far from happy.

The loss to Motherwell was Hibs' fifth in eight matches and with only one victory in that period, those who doubted the appointment of David Gray in the summer were given more ammunition.

But some grace should be given to 'Sir David' as he is yet to be able to put what could be described as his best team on the pitch.

Martin Boyle and Joe Newell, both certain starters in recent years, have been missing games through injury and are sorely missed.

In addition, a number of players recruited in the summer have yet to hit top form and, along with the fact a new centre-back pairing of Warren O'Hora and Marvin Ekpiteta and new goalkeeper Josef Bursik are now in place, it's understandable mistakes can happen.

However, what is not acceptable is the action of Nectarios Triantis. Booked for simulation early in the game, there was no reason for the challenge on Tony Watt that left referee Matt McDermid with no option other than to send him off.

The Australian has played well since his return in the summer and looks more assured in midfield rather than the defender he was originally brought in to be.

The fact there is a two-week break now before the next game will irk both Gray and his players.

Losing, particularly at home, is sore to take and there will be lots of thought between now and the visit to Tannadice as to how they turn their fortunes around.

Also looming large is the first Edinburgh derby of the season. Given the form of the Tynecastle club, this is the type of game you want to go into brimming with confidence. Nothing could be further from the truth for either side right now.

A win against Dundee United would help enormously.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

It was a familiar tale at Easter Road on Saturday.

Pre-match optimism about the chance to kickstart the season (see also pre-match optimism against St Mirren, Dundee, and Kilmarnock this season) on the back of a good showing at Ibrox ultimately proved to be misplaced as Hibs were humbled by in-form Motherwell.

It probably shouldn't be a surprise by this point. Hibs are a bottom-six team in all but turnover these days.

It’s rare we compete with the traditional top-six sides consistently, and we are finding it a more regular occurrence than we'd like that we are struggling against even the traditional bottom-half sides (not that Motherwell fall into that category).

Another game of missed opportunities when we had them, and a missing defence when we needed them, saw to it that Hibs slumped to another defeat.

Nectarios Triantis' second-half red card didn't help matters. His first booking – for a dive – seemed harsh. It was one of those instances where the player hasn’t dived and it's also not a penalty but was punished by the referee and, as with all yellow cards, VAR could not intervene to correct the error.

Triantis should have known better than to fly into a challenge in the second half that was a booking all day long, and Hibs' hopes of taking anything from the game left the field with him.

Frustratingly, Hibs are still looking for the spark to ignite the season, and the players better get used to the idea that it’s not going to happen without a lift in performance from them.

Otherwise this season, like last, is going to be another disappointment. Third and fourth already seem out of reach at this early stage and we can't wait until it's touch and go for a top-six spot before getting our act together.

A big performance and a win are required at Tannadice next week.

Matty Fairnie can be found at Longbangers Podcast, external

The "character and drive" of Kieron Bowie will bring the Hibernian forward back stronger after successful surgery to address a hamstring issue, says head coach David Gray. (Edinburgh Evening News)

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Sportscene pundits Michael Stewart and Shelley Kerr assess Hibs defending in their 2-1 defeat against Motherwell.

Watch highlights as Motherwell win 2-1 against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.

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Junior Hoilett says the ‘fine margins are killing’ Hibernian right now as they remain with only one win in seven top-flight games so far this season.

The Canada international scored his side’s equalise with half an hour to go at home to Motherwell, but a late Andy Halliday winner condemned them to another defeat.

“Yeah, of course [it’s disappointing] especially when we dominated most of the game,” the 34-year-old told club media.

“To not get a result at the end of it is frustrating. So we just need to work hard on the training field to rectify our mistakes and come back strong. We played well, but we didn't get results so, pointless.

On the manager’s message at half-time, he added: “He was telling us we need to keep being positive [like] how we play the first half, and start strong and switch on because he said the only way they’re going to hurt us is off a set piece.

“It's the fine margins that kind of killed us. We just need to work hard on the training pitch to rectify our mistakes to come back stronger because you can see a lot of potential in the squad.

“We have to regroup as a squad, over the next couple of weeks and work hard day in, day out to make sure we're prepared to get maximum points against Dundee United.

“Nothing's easy in this league, so we have to remain focused, switch on and be ready to go again."

We asked for your views on Hibs' 2-1 defeat against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Malcolm: David Gray went out with one striker at home while Motherwell had two, so at one late point we had one goal from 17 shots while they had two from 12. So if we talk about being brave on the ball, then Gray needs to look in the mirror.

John: Sorry to say but this Hibs team are in a relegation battle already. Playing one up front at home is criminal, but a lot of the players are not good enough. Lewis Miller needs to stay on his feet, Josh Campbell hasn't progressed and runs about like a headless chicken, and what is Harry McKirdy doing? Looks like our 150th anniversary will be in the Championship - prove me wrong.

Scott: We are back to square one after last week's decent performance. Gray simply cannot justify starts for some of these players who are clearly not up to it. I guess this season is really just a culmination of years of poor decision-making by the owners and management. The fans won't stand for this much longer before they vote with their feet.

Darren: Yet another plethora of bang average players float through our club and a rookie manager who is expected to get a tune out of them is just setting us up for failure. Another derby defeat is on the cards and relegation will be our final destination.

Sandy: Not good enough. You have to take your chances in football, and with the exception of Junior Hoilett who was creative and scored a good goal, the rest of them did not earn their wage on that park.

Craig: Another horror show, Miller getting beat every time someone ran at him, Campbell was way off it, and Mykola Kuharevich won't do much up top on his own without someone with him. Reckless tackle from Nectar Triantis, Hoilett looking real good and though I still see some good football at times, it's a shame we're not getting the results to match it.

Cameron: I said it before the season started that this was going to be a horrendous season. There's just no fight in this team when it comes down to getting a result. Relegation battle for sure.

Colin: If you don't take your chances and concede soft goals you'll not win games! We made enough chances to win a couple of games. Gray needs to find a formation that can score more goals than we concede. It's a simple game which we're finding difficult to do at the moment.

Image source, SNS

• Hibernian have conceded five goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, no team has conceded more in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• The Easter Road side have failed to win any of their last 21 matches when conceding first in the league, since a victory over Celtic on 24 May 2023.

• Nectarios Triantis has received a red card - Hibernian's first sending off in the Premiership this season, and their first since 25th November 2023 against Dundee.

• Motherwell have scored four goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, no team has more in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have scored in each of their last six league games, scoring 11 goals in that run.

• Stuart Kettlewell's side have avoided defeat in their last five matches when scoring first in the Premiership, since a 1-3 loss to Celtic on 25 February 2024.

Were you at Easter Road or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "It's very difficult to take. It's clear, we can't dominate as much as we did and create the chances we did and not win the game. You can't not take those chances at this level.

"[Defending] the set pieces in the second half, unprofessional. You need to see it through and defend your goal.

"The reaction was good, but when you're on a yellow card you can't go to ground and give the referee a decision to make.

"Credit to their goalie, I think he was their man of the match."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Wastefulness was the theme of Hibs' defeat at Ibrox last weekend, but this loss will sting more for David Gray given the opposition.

In the end, Nectar Triantis' dismissal did not help, but golden chances for Mykola Kuharevich and Chris Cadden should have had Hibs at least two up by the time Lennon Miller's quick free-kick sent Apostolos Stamatelopoulos through to net at the other end.

Although it came from Stephen O'Donnell’s hesitancy, Hibs finally got the goal their attacking play merited when Junior Hoilett levelled, but continued defensive frailty means one goal is rarely enough for this team to get a result.

Gray's defence failed to deal with aerial balls into their box all afternoon, particularly from Kofi Balmer’s long throws.

A sitter from Zach Robinson and Moses Ebiye's disallowed goal were warnings, but they did not heed them as Andy Halliday's winner came from a similar situation.

With a trip to Tannadice and the first Edinburgh derby of the season to come after the upcoming international break, Gray will have to address the ongoing issues in both boxes to avoid this season spiralling out of control.

Despite his side falling to a slim defeat at Rangers last weekend, Hibernian head coach David Gray names an unchanged team for the visit of Motherwell.

The Leith club were unfortunate not to come away with a draw and Gray would have been satisfied with the performance.

The away side, meanwhile, make two changes following their win over St Mirren as Apostolos Stamatelopoulos comes in to make his first start since returning from injury.

The Australia striker replaces Moses Ebiye, while the suspended Dan Casey also drops out.

Kofi Balmer, making his first Premiership start, comes into the back three.

On-loan Hibs winger Jair Tavares is ineligible to play against his parent club.

• Follow live coverage of Saturday's SPFL action

Head coach David Gray credits Hyeokkyu Kwon and Nectar Triantis for Hibernian's recent improvement. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

In: Kieron Bowie, forward (Fulham, undisclosed); Junior Hoilett, forward (Aberdeen); Jack Iredale, defender (Bolton Wanderers, undisclosed); Nicky Cadden, midfielder (Barnsley); Marvin Ekpiteta, defender (Blackpool); Dwight Gayle, forward (Derby County); Warren O’Hora, defender (MK Dons); Jordan Smith, goalkeeper (Stockport County).

Loan in: Kwon Hyeok-kyu, midfielder (Celtic); Mykola Kuharevich, forward (Swansea City); Josef Bursik, goalkeeper (Club Bruges); Nectarios Triantis, midfielder (Sunderland).

Out: Ewan Henderson, midfielder (Beerschot, undisclosed); Lewis Stevenson, defender (Raith Rovers); Paul Hanlon, defender (Raith Rovers); Jojo Wollacott, goalkeeper (Crawley Town); Jacob Blaney, defender (Crusaders, undisclosed); Daniel MacKay, forward (Partick Thistle); Dylan Tait, defender (Falkirk); Jay McGarva, midfielder (Queen's Park); Riley Harbottle, defender (Wimbledon, undisclosed); Adam Le Fondre, forward (FC United of Manchester); Harry Wright, midfielder (Stirling Albion); David Marshall, goalkeeper (retired); Jamie Bulloch, defender; Robbie Hamilton, midfielder; Owen Hastie, defender; Alfie Smith, midfielder.

Loan ended: Myziane Maolida, forward (Hertha Berlin); Emiliano Marcondes, midfielder (Bournemouth); Will Fish, defender (Manchester United); Eliezer Mayenda, forward (Sunderland); Nectarios Triantis, defender (Sunderland).

Loan out: Jair Tavares, midfielder (Motherwell); Dylan Vente, forward (Zwolle); Allan Delferriere, midfielder (Racing Union Letzebuerg); Josh O’Connor, forward (Dundalk); Kyle McClelland, defender (Coleraine); Kanayo Megwa, defender (Partick Thistle); Murray Johnson, goalkeeper (Airdrieonians); Murray Aiken, midfielder (Airdrieonians); Oscar MacIntyre, defender (Queen of the South); Reuben McAllister, midfielder (Cove Rangers); Jacob MacIntyre, midfielder (Kelty Hearts); Malik Zaid, forward (Annan Athletic); Freddie Owens, goalkeeper (Civil Service Strollers).

Read the Scottish Premiership ins & outs in full here.

Image source, SNS

Hibs captain Joe Newell is available to return after missing the last two games with a groin issue, while Nicky Cadden and Luke Amos are also back in contention.

Forwards Martin Boyle (hand) and Kieron Bowie (hamstring) remain sidelined along with Jake Doyle-Hayes, who is still working on his fitness after more than a year out.

Motherwell defender Dan Casey is suspended while Johnny Koutroumbis and Shane Blaney are edging closer to comebacks.

Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Harry Paton (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring) and Jack Vale (calf) are long-term absentees.

Image source, SNS

David Gray has some welcome selection dilemmas as Hibs look to head into the international break on a high with victory over Motherwell on Saturday.

Chief among the Hibs head coach's decisions is whether to put captain Joe Newell straight back into the team after Nectar Triantis and Hyeok-kyu Kwon, who earned his first South Korea call-up this week, formed a strong midfield partnership in the Englishman's absence.

"Not just with Joe coming back, I think even when you look at the other players who didn't play last weekend, players would be disappointed not to be playing," said Gray.

"Even players I was able to bring on like Dylan Levitt, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, we've got competition everywhere. It's a headache that I want to have. I think it's really healthy for the squad."

Gray is keen to build on the "positives" of last Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Ibrox by seeing off a Motherwell side who head to Easter Road on the back of five wins in six.

"There were a lot of positive performances across the board but still areas on which we can improve. Clearly in the final third we can be more clinical but we've worked hard on that this week," he added.

"I take it back probably slightly further, which is I look at the second half against St Johnstone, once we were 1-0 up.

"The level of performance then and how that improved and then we took that into the Rangers game which was a good performance again and hopefully now we can take that one step further to the game at the weekend.

"Motherwell are in good form, they're very well organised and very well coached, you can see that.

"They've also got a lot of good footballers in the team. The three midfielders move the ball really well and they’re good defensively, which is why they’ve picked up results and why they are where they are."

Image source, SNS

Marvin Ekpiteta admits his transition to Scottish football was a struggle, but insists he is now finding his feet.

The 29-year-old, a summer signing from Blackpool, looked unconvincing in his opening performances, notably against St Mirren and Celtic, but has gradually improved at the heart of a Hibs defence that has tightened up in recent games, conceding two goals in their last three.

"It's been a big change," said the Englishman. "I didn't think it would be as big a change, and I've had to adapt quite a bit, but I feel like I've grown into it after the first couple of games. I'm really enjoying it now."

Hibs faced Celtic in back-to-back games in August, losing 2-0 in the league and 3-1 in the Premier Sports Cup, and Ekpiteta believes that early exposure to the top team in the country has helped sharpen him up.

Asked what he found the toughest aspect of adapting to life in Scotland's top flight, he said: "I'd say the workrate. A lot of the teams don't give you any time at all. They're just on it for the whole game.

"And obviously playing against Celtic, they're just a different level. I didn't realise how good they actually were until I played against them. That was a big wake-up call for me."

Since their Celtic double-header Hibs have suffered just one defeat - 1-0 away to Rangers - and are intent on making it back-to-back home wins when Motherwell visit on Saturday.

"Even against Rangers, we played really well," said Ekpiteta. "I feel like we should have definitely got something from the game so it would be nice to build off that and obviously having beaten St Johnstone before that.

"It would be nice to back up a good performance last week to get something tomorrow."

Former Hearts, Dundee United and St Johnstone defender Ryan McGowan says non-Old Firm fans will have enjoyed Celtic and Rangers being given a "taste of their own medicine" by "taking a pasting" in Europe against teams with a bigger budget.

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