Hibernian

Scotland defender Grant Hanley faces up to a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, ruling him out of a string of vital fixtures for Hibernian. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Striker Ante Suto admits he had "goosebumps" before even taking to the pitch for a dream Hibs debut.

The Croatian, a deadline-day arrival Slaven Belupo, had the home fans in raptures with a 93rd-minute winner against Dundee United on Wednesday night to complete incredible late drama.

Having led through Martin Boyle's first-half strike, Hibs conceded twice late on to trail 2-1 with nine minutes left. A Ross Graham own goal restored parity before substitute Suto's superb header from a Nicky Cadden cross snatched victory.

"You could see from my celebration how much I enjoyed it," the 25-year-old told BBC Scotland.

"It's amazing. I was so excited to come here, so excited to play in front of this crowd. I couldn't dream of a better start.

"I got goosebumps just from watching. It's an amazing feeling. Just amazing.

"They [United] turned it around and started winning but we believed until the end. We showed that. I think we had a deserved win."

Although he only signed on Monday, Suso says talks initially took place last summer.

"I was in contact with the club six months ago," he added. "Again, they called me a few days ago. I was so excited back then and now also. It was an easy decision for me.

"They were fast. We got the deal done in maybe 24 hours."

Next up for Suto and Hibs is a trip to Tynecastle on Tuesday night for the Edinburgh derby - a game the striker already knows the magnitude of.

"When I was coming, I got messages from the fans. Everyone was talking about that game. I know what it means. We will give our best to win the game. It'll be a fantastic night, hopefully."

We asked for your thoughts as Hibs left it late to beat Dundee United 3-2 at Easter Road.

Here are some of your comments:

Ali: David Gray must go, no point in having a moan but I'll crack on anyway. Performances continue to be poor, set-up poor, approach poor and subs absolutely ridiculous. He will get away with it as a win is a win but the club needs a shake. No imagination in our play, it's so boring to watch, the pitch doesn't help mind you. We're so far behind Hearts it is stomach churning.

Aidan: There was talk in December after beating Hearts that it was a statement win, however I think coming from 2-1 down with little time left to win a game with a depleted squad is a big statement. New signings showing good early signs and they are maybe not even fully up to speed yet. Plenty reasons to be positive.

Mark: If we'd lost or drawn, that was on Gray. Taking Dane Scarlett and Dan Barlaser off and leaving Elie Youan on was ridiculous. Dundee United had done nothing all game and yet ended up ahead. A great winner from Ante Suto saved Sir David's blushes.

Billy: Another topsy-turvy display by Hibs and a nail-biting finish, definitely one for the neutral as this game swung each way until deep into stoppage time. The crowd played their part encouraging that little bit of extra effort to get this result going the right way. Miguel Chaiwa and Suto impressed me most. Onwards and hopefully upwards.

Ringo: Hibs really poor in the second half but good fightback in the end to get the win. Some goal from Suto now we can look forward to the derby. I really hope Hibs go for it, I'd love to beat them as we have nothing else to play for so a derby win is what we need and try and get fourth in the league. Scarlett had a good game, he looks the part. More to come from him I think.

Kenny: Gray's team got him out of jail with the late goals. He tried to defend a one-goal lead and it backfired. He needs to start trusting the players more. He took off Martin Boyle when he was keeping United's left side under pressure. Nicky Cadden won the game for us with time running out. We got away with this one.

Watch all the highlights as Hibs scored a late winner to beat Dundee United 3-2 in the Scottish Premiership. (Available to UK users only)

Hibernian debutant Ante Suto scored a brilliant header in stoppage time to complete a dramatic comeback win against Dundee United, whose Scottish Premiership top-six hopes were dealt a severe blow.

What did you make of Hibs' performance? Have your say.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian manager David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "The biggest thing is we found a way to win. That's the most pleasing thing.

"We need to use that winning feeling as a way to kick on. Delighted with that because threw the squad together, quite stretched, a few niggles.

"You have to credit Dundee United. I felt we still had the best chance of the second half with Boyley's to go 2-0. Then it was a game of set-pieces from that point.

"Extremely disappointed to lose the two goals from set-pieces - it just shows you the importance of them in any league, it's decided the game tonight.

"It's something Nicky's always had, that delivery. For Ante coming in - a dream debut for him - it was a fantastic header.

"We will get better. There's a lot of players listening to me for the first time and understanding Scottish football. It sets us up lovely going into a derby."

We asked for your thoughts on Hibernian's business in the January transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Scott: The three deadline day additions look to have decent pedigrees and, allowing for a relative lack of recent game time, I thought Dane Scarlett and Owen Elding looked lively and energetic. We have some tough games coming up and I hope we can get the new players integrated and up to speed quickly enough to help us push up the league and convert more of the chances being created.

Mark: Hopefully excellent signings but time will tell. Dylan Levitt and Junior Hoilett haven't been given much match time so makes sense to move them on and hopefully Thibault Klidje can get a lot of game time on his loan and come back a more confident player. Onwards and upwards for the Hibs.

Bea: I'm happy with the incomings and outgoings at Easter Road, we look to have quality in our attacking and defending options with Kai Andrews a good addition to the midfield, hopefully we now kick on.

Kenny: The boys that came off the bench on Sunday made a difference and brought some energy to the team which had been lacking. We need to wait and see what the rest are like so time will tell. I would like to know what's happening with the academy. The odd player comes through but I think we need to seriously look at that and who's running it as it's doesn't look like there's a lot happening.

Brady: Hibs' transfer window has been excellent and exciting. Hopefully new signings settle in well and help Hibs with the remainder of the season. Bit disappointed at Klidje going away on loan, especially as we only just signed him for a record amount. Overall I'm looking forward to the second half of the season and seeing our new players in action.

Tam: Looking forward to these new signings, we've been needing some hard but fair players, hopefully they'll do the business.

Image source, SNS

• Hibernian are unbeaten in five Scottish Premiership games against Dundee United (W2 D3), their longest run over them in the top-flight since going nine without defeat from March 2006 to September 2008.

• Both teams have scored in each of the last eight Scottish Premiership matches between Hibernian (16 goals) and Dundee United (14 goals) since the Tangerines won 1-0 in October 2022.

• Hibernian have lost 10 of their last 14 home games played on a Wednesday in the Scottish Premiership (W4), including four of five since the 2023-24 season.

• Dundee United have only won one of their last nine away league games (D5 L3), beating Livingston 3-1 in December.

• Dundee United's Luca Stephenson has scored four goals in five Scottish Premiership appearances against Hibernian, including three in two this season.

Felix Passlack - a deadline-day arrival at Easter Road who is in line to make his debut against Dundee United - says his Borussia Dortmund upbringing is perfection preparation for him to thrive at Hibernian. (Daily Record)

Hibs head coach David Gray has stressed Thibault Klidje can still have a long-term future at Easter Road despite his shock deadline-day move. (The Scotsman)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

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Hibs could hand debuts to Felix Passlack, Ante Suto and Munashe Garananga while Josh Campbell returns and Miguel Chaiwa has shaken off a head knock. Grant Hanley (hamstring) drops out.

Dundee United are without the suspended Amar Fatah and Pan Camara after the club's appeal against the duo's red cards was dismissed.

New signing Emmanuel Agyei could feature. Vicko Sevelj (groin) and Isaac Pappoe (knee) miss out.

Image source, SNS

Thibault Klidje can have a long-term future at Hibs, insists head coach David Gray, after the club's record signing left for a loan spell at Randers.

The Danish club have an option to buy the Togo international striker, who moved to Edinburgh last summer from Luzern for a seven-figure fee.

The 24-year-old has netted four goals, with just nine of his 26 appearances coming from the start.

"I took my time with him, settling him in, culturally and everything else, and not putting too much pressure on Thibault too early," said Gray of the player who is under contract until 2028.

"He has had a few setbacks with injury and illness and game time hasn't been as regular as he would have liked probably, and for everybody involved, to be honest.

"This is a good opportunity for him to go and get a bank of games under his belt where he can be that out-and-out nine that we know he can be.

"We will keep an eye on him and at the end of the season he will come back in a much better place, I'm sure.

"When you talk about the option, that's something that is quite common, for teams to protect themselves a little bit. That has to work for everybody involved.

"But my focus for him is to come back in as good a shape as possible with confidence levels as high as he can, and that would be the aim until someone wants to do something different."

Dylan Levitt and Junior Hoilett also departed on Monday, with three new players arriving.

Right-back Felix Passlack, attacker Ante Suto and centre-back Munashe Garananga add to the earlier arrivals of Owen Elding, Dane Scarlett and Kai Andrews, while top-scorer Kieron Bowie has joined Hellas Verona for a club record fee.

"I'm really happy with where we are," said Gray, who is preparing for Wednesday's home game with Dundee United. "We have even seen that with the new additions when they came on in the Rangers game, they added an energy and freshness.

"The new additions again in the last 24 hours all trained and added to that freshness again."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Hibs have been busy shaping the squad for the end-of-season run-in.

While Kieron Bowie has departed to Hellas Verona in a club record deal worth up to £7m, Owen Elding, Dane Scarlett, Kai Andrews, Felix Passlack and Ante Suto all arrived to bolster David Gray's options.

Thibault Klidje - having struggled for starts since becoming Hibs' most expensive signing - has gone out on loan, while Dylan Levitt and Junior Hoilett have departed permananetly.

David Gray himself answered a lot of questions on Sunday, getting every ounce of performance out of a team that was patched together from virtually his only available players as injury and illness have ravaged the squad.

To add to his troubles, he lost both Miguel Chaiwa and Grant Hanley during the game, so it speaks volumes for Gray's leadership credentials that his makeshift team, including three signings only just in the door, not only held Rangers but had the Glasgow side counting themselves lucky to leave with a point.

Hibs have been criticised for not having a right good go at Rangers this season, but nobody could level that accusation at them on Sunday. We took the game to Rangers and on another day would have won the game comfortably.

Gray was right to point out that despite the grumbles from the past two weeks, Hibs have just one defeat in seven games. Strip away the noise and his results aren't anywhere near as bad as some would have you believe.

Now he's strengthened the squad, he must push on from here starting with a big game on Wednesday against Dundee United.

With Falkirk hot on our heels, three points at home are a must for Hibs, and I fancy us to take them.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

With the transfer window now shut, we want to know if you think your team have made the right moves.

Hibs made three signings on deadline day, buying forward Ante Suto and wing-back Felix Passlack while centre-half Munashe Garananga joined on loan.

That took the club's winter haul to six after the arrivals of Owen Elding, Dane Scarlett and Kai Andrews.

Kieron Bowie departed in a club-record sale to Hellas Verona while record signing Thibault Klidje left on loan and Dylan Levitt and Junior Hoilett departed in permanent moves.

Are you happy with Hibs' business? Are they now in good shape for a strong finish to the season?

Share your thoughts here.

Midfielder Kai Andrews, 19, hopes his loan spell at Hibernian from Coventry City will propel him to the Premier League and a regular Wales place. (Record), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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This season's Scottish Premiership top six could be "the best" yet in terms of quality, according to former Motherwell forward James McFadden.

Hearts lead the division, with defending champions Celtic and Rangers six points adrift and Motherwell, Hibernian and Falkirk making up the top half of the table.

"It makes the top six extremely interesting," McFadden told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Falkirk are in the driving seat at that point as well. They will be a tough opposition for anybody. The next three games, if Hearts can win, I would make them heavy favourites to win the league.

"If they can win all three games and, well, that's including beating Rangers, then it goes to nine points on Rangers.

"Rangers need to play Celtic, throw Motherwell into the equation. Hibs, you look, you know, at their performance [in the draw with Rangers].

"It'll be the best top six that we've had in this split era because so many teams have so much to play for and so many strong teams are in there."

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James McFadden believes Scotland forward Kieron Bowie's move from Hibernian to Hellas Verona is "a brilliant deal for all involved".

Twice-capped Bowie, 23, last week joined the Italian side in a record sale for Hibs.

"He's moved on, they've got a really good fee," McFadden told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It's a brilliant deal for all involved. And it's time now for someone else to step up.

"When someone leaves, you look at clubs all over the world, they lose their star player, their main striker, and you feel that you're never going to be able to replace them.

"It's not always the case, it's never usually the case. There's always someone ready to step up and become that main striker and it just provides an opportunity for somebody else."

Hibs have signed attackers Owen Elding and Dane Scarlett and both came off the bench in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Rangers.

"Scarlett and Elding, when they came on, looked like they could be capable of causing problems," McFadden said.

"So, it's a different prospect for Hibs now. It's a different way they're going to have to line up because the players that have come in are not exactly the profile like Keiron Bowie.

"There was a lot to suggest that Hibs can get back to winning ways. You only look at last season, they were in such a bad place and they managed to turn that around. They managed to go on an incredible unbeaten run.

"That'll be difficult this season given the strength of the teams in the league but they've shown that they've got the capabilities of being hard to play against and can create chances."

We asked for your thoughts after Hibernian drew 0-0 against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Kenny: We created lots of chances in this game but we need to start taking them. The team is crying out for a goal scorer. Lots of good things in the game but no end product. Hopefully we can sign someone before the window shuts but we need to be quick. Good result though.

George: Good all round performance from Hibs. Solid at the back and steady in midfield. For once, we didn't let Rangers bully us. Had better of the first half and might have nicked a goal. Second half, played well in phases. New signings looked good, and at times really positive. Once this squad has a couple of games under its belt, we can expect better times, and we've two or three coming back from injury, so we should guarantee fifth, and maybe catch the Steelmen for fourth.

Ringo: We still don't have an out and out striker to score goals hence how we drew a game we should have won easily, obviously the young boys will need a bit of time so hopefully they can start scoring goals and turn draws in to wins, time will tell, at least they tried to get forward and added a bit of urgency to the game when they came on with a bit more direct play.

Jim: Hibs played the better football and, if we had a bit more composure in front of goal, we would have easily won. Rangers are a poor side really, and it's two points dropped.

John: Same old from Hibs, need to take those chances and felt we were by far the better team. New faces looked decent and should create some competition

Colin: That was much better. An improved performance and should have won. Our depleted midfield played well. We need to improve our finishing if we are to move up the league.

Watch highlights of the goalless draw between Hibs and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

Hibernian head coach David Gray anticipates new additions on transfer deadline day. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Plymouth lead Hibs and Wigan in the hunt for Millwall right-back Wes Harding, 29. (Football Insider), external

Monday's Scottish gossip