'Outstanding performance' as late winner 'shows shift in character'published at 10:36 BST 10 August
10:36 BST 10 August
Media caption,
Watch highlights as Hibs beat Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership
Hibs fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's 2-1 victory against Rangers at Ibrox.
Here's what some of you said:
Kieran: This is what happens when you make positive changes throughout a match. David Gray got his subs spot on, minus Felix Passlack's moment of madness which he then makes up for. We aren't asking for world class football every week but that performance has to be the benchmark moving forward.
Scott: Organised, resilient and dangerous on the break - much more like it. I thought Gray had blown it with the three subs as to me it just invited pressure but we hung in there and took our chance. A positive result midweek in Europe would top everything off nicely.
John: Outstanding performances from our back four and Callum Wright got Passlack out of jail. I agree with Gray we have to utilise the whole squad and once they all gel we'll be a force to be reckoned with.
Aidan: You felt that Hibs just needed one more opportunity to get a smash and grab winner from the game. Fair play not buckling when it went 1-1 and after losing a late goal last Sunday to then win the next two games by scoring late on shows a shift in character which I hope continues.
Finn: Super performance off the ball, punished Rangers in the little moments. The result brings momentum into a really important couple of weeks for Hibs.
Alan: Perhaps the supporters continually calling for a change of manager will get off David Gray's back. Sunday was tough on the players and we should be proud of them and the management team for the way they defended, attacked and played for the club and each other.
Rangers 1-2 Hibernian: Have your saypublished at 18:47 BST 9 August
18:47 BST 9 August
Derek McInnes' wait for his first win as Rangers manager goes on after Hibernian claimed back-to-back Scottish Premiership wins at Ibrox and their third win there in as many seasons thanks to Callum Wright's late breakaway goal.
Rangers 1-2 Hibernian: What Gray saidpublished at 18:44 BST 9 August
18:44 BST 9 August
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Hibernian head coach David Gray tells Premier Sports: "Rangers put us under severe pressure for the second half, the character was really tested but we made an attacking substitution to try and have that mentality of not just sitting in even with the Rangers pressure.
"[The winning goal] was a brilliant moment. I'm delighted for the players because we made a lot of changes and the players that came in did really well, it builds that character.
"The type of game suits Josh Mulligan. To a man I think it would be difficult to single anyone out because they were all so good.
"I've been through adversity at the start. The demands and expectations are always going to be there. The biggest thing is sticking together as a group. Internally we know we're in a good place, there's more to come."
Rangers v Hibs: Pick of the statspublished at 11:48 BST 8 August
11:48 BST 8 August
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Rangers lost their last league meeting with Hibernian 1-2 at Ibrox in May but have not lost successive top-flight matches against Hibs since November 2005 under Alex McLeish.
Hibernian have won two of their past three league visits to Rangers (L1) and could win successive trips in the top-flight for just the fourth time, previously doing so in September 1902, October 1985, and February 2018.
There have been 35 goals scored in Rangers' past seven league games at Ibrox, an average of five per game. Their most recent game was a 2-1 defeat by Hibs in May – they have never lost consecutive home league games against the same team both times. They last duplicated the same result and opponent in April/August 1990, back-to-back wins against Dunfermline Athletic.
The past six results in Hibernian's Scottish Premiership matches have been away wins – they have lost four home games and won their two away games in this streak. The last side to have a longer run was Rangers between February and April 2025 (7), with the seventh game in that run ending Rangers 0-2 Hibernian.
Thelo Aasgaard has scored in each of his past three Premiership appearances for Rangers – the last Ibrox player with a longer streak was Cyriel Dessers in April and May 2025 (5 in a row).
Rangers v Hibernian: Team newspublished at 10:33 BST 8 August
10:33 BST 8 August
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Derek McInnes will assess his Rangers squad following their Europa League qualifying defeat by Jagiellonia Bialystok in Poland. Defender Ben Godfrey is out for the next three to four weeks with a hamstring issue. South Africa centre-back Olwethu Makhanya, the new signing from Philadelphia Union, could make his debut.
Hibernian trio Jack Iredale (appendix), Nicky Cadden and Jamie McGrath (both calf) are pushing for a return but may miss out again, along with Rocky Bushiri (Achilles).
Cadden 'was ready for new challenge' at Aberdeenpublished at 08:41 BST 8 August
08:41 BST 8 August
Tyrone Smith BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
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Chris Cadden described his move to Aberdeen as the "perfect fit", admitting: "I was ready for a new challenge."
The right-back arrived at Pittodrie on a two-year deal at the end of last month after five years at Hibernian and made his Dons debut in last weekend's Scottish Premiership win over Hearts.
"In terms of the stage in my career, my age - I think I am just coming in to my prime years hopefully," said the 29-year-old Scotland cap.
"So all that from my side of things, but also the size of the club, the fan base, everything that comes along with that, I know how big Aberdeen is, I played up here against them plenty of times away from home, I know how big the club is so as soon as I heard about the interest it was something I was really keen to get done and just sort of felt it was a perfect fit for me at this stage of my career."
Cadden played 166 times for Hibs and was asked if it was a wrench to leave Easter Road.
"That is maybe partly why I needed a change," he explained. "I loved my time at Hibs, it was great, we had a really successful time there but I just think sometimes you need a little bit of change in a career and a fresh start and Aberdeen is the perfect club for me to do that.
"I wasn't just going to jump ship, it had to be the right move and the right club and I feel this is.
"The manager was a big part of it as well. I played under him before with successful times at Motherwell as well and really enjoyed his football and what he brings.
"He really wanted me, which was big for me so yes, I'm excited and I can see what the gaffer can bring and that success to a football club and that continuity he can create at a football club so I am really excited."
Wright relishes Easter Road debutpublished at 18:19 BST 7 August
18:19 BST 7 August
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Hibernian midfielder Callum Wright loved his first Easter Road outing, two months on from joining the Edinburgh club.
The 26-year-old signed as a free agent in June and made his competitive debut during Thursday night's Conference League third qualifying round tie at home to Shkendija.
Wright was subbed on in the second half and set up Owen Elding for the opening goal as Hibs went on to win 2-1 in the first leg of the European tie.
"Obviously it's only halfway in the tie," he told Hibs TV.
"But it was a nice experience at Easter Road for the first time on a European night, which was a big part of why I came here.
"I was a bit more out wide, which I don't mind, as long as I'm getting on the ball that's fine. I enjoyed myself.
"Last year I played a lot inside the pitch, but as I say, I enjoyed it, and hopefully I can bring assists and goals to the team."
Has Hibs recruitment 'thrown Gray under the bus'?published at 10:06 BST 7 August
10:06 BST 7 August
Hibs fans, we asked for your views after Thursday night's victory in North Macedonia against Shkendija in the Conference League third qualifying round.
Here's what some of you had to say:
David: A tough watch but got the win in the end. We lack creativity in the midfield without Jamie McGrath and need more direct wingers. I feel the recruitment has thrown David Gray under the bus this summer.
Lee: I feel that a run of results will be good for this squad. Gray needs this because at the moment Hibs fans are being guilty of showing signs of impatience, even when the team are on top. Fans are correct to have high expectations but they need to know when it is time to support and when it's time to ring out the booing. Last night some of the support were guilty of being edgy and this only feeds onto the pitch and impacts players negatively.
Kev: Another scruffy performance from Hibs but a win is a win. Gray has to get more out of this group of players or his time at Easter Road will end very quickly
Scott: For such an important game the team was flat and lacklustre in the first half. Hibs were in "don't lose" mode as usual. The second half showed improvement but we were fortunate to come away with a victory. We are a dreadful watch.
Gordon: No intensity, no pace, no urgency, excruciatingly slow in the build up and constantly passing across the back four. Eye bleeding at times. Gray has to get them to improve all areas mentioned above and get them playing with much more urgency or he's going to find himself under severe pressure.
Kieron: Yes we won but the performance was really poor. There's a huge gap in that midfield, I was seeing players getting frustrated because they were looking up wanting to pass but no was showing for it, so instead we had to hit it long which meant we lost the ball a lot. It's as if they're playing like they've never played with each other before.
Hibernian 2-1 Shkendija: Have your saypublished at 22:34 BST 6 August
22:34 BST 6 August
Hibernian take a crucial advantage to North Macedonia for their Conference League third round qualifier second leg after Warren O'Hora's 90th-minute goal snatched victory against Shkendija.
Hibernian 2-1 Shkendija: What Gray saidpublished at 22:33 BST 6 August
22:33 BST 6 August
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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "In terms of being at home and trying to have that home advantage, it's a big moment to go in front.
"It's hard to win games in European football as we know so to be winning after the first leg is very positive.
"It'll be very different when we go over there but I think we'll be different. I can't stand here tonight and say we deserved to be further in front. It will be a very different game with us being in front, they'll have to come out a little bit.
"Huge credit to the players, that's the third time the team has been selected to go again and it was a massive effort from everybody. I think we deserved to go in front but I think there's more to come from everybody.
"There were a lot of unforced errors from us tonight. We were trying to force things a little bit too much and probably ended up having to run a lot more because we lost the ball unnecessarily.
"Credit to the players because when it goes 1-1, the character then to make sure to get that goal and be in front in the tie, that was a big moment in the game. It is only half-time, I'm not getting carried away but I know we can be better.
"You need to enjoy that winning feeling. The players can be happy with the fact that we've won the game. We'll play better, I thought we played better on Saturday even though we lost the game. The biggest thing is you take the positives and the confidence from that but we'll have to quickly put that to bed and look forward to Rangers on Sunday.
"Playing Thursday and Sunday every week, it's relentless but we want this for as long as possible. There's no better feeling than winning games of football but it's only half-time."
Gray has to create new glories at Hibspublished at 09:16 BST 6 August
09:16 BST 6 August
Brian McLauchlin BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
David Gray could have done without Sunday's Premiership defeat by Motherwell.
The opening weekend of a new season is supposed to be filled with optimism, fresh starts and the belief that this could finally be your year. Instead, Hibernian left Easter Road to a chorus of familiar questions.
That's football.
One defeat should never define a season but expectations have shifted at Hibs. Consecutive back-to-back European campaigns have raised the bar. Supporters no longer simply want progress – they expect it.
Few understand that expectation better than Gray.
His place in Hibernian folklore was secured long before he became head coach. His winning goal in the 2016 Scottish Cup final ended 114 years of hurt and ensured his name would forever be woven into the club's history. Had a statue of 'Sir David', as some supporters affectionately call him, appeared outside Easter Road, there would have been few objections.
But sentiment only carries you so far in football management. Gray's task now is not to relive past glories but to create new ones.
There is a strong case to suggest Hibs have enjoyed a successful couple of seasons. Consecutive European qualifications represent clear progress and, although they narrowly missed out on reaching the Conference League proper last term, they more than held their own against experienced continental opponents in Midtjylland, Partizan Belgrade and Legia Warsaw.
Those performances earned respect, what they did not earn was patience.
Football supporters are rarely willing to wait, particularly when they believe their team is capable of more. Every setback invites scrutiny and every defeat increases the noise.
Gray is no novice. This is his third pre-season in charge and he has had ample opportunity to shape the squad in his own image.
There is plenty to encourage him. Owen Elding looked increasingly assured towards the end of last season and continued that form against Malisheva last week. The hope is that further development follows.
Keeping hold of Josh Mulligan and Miguel Chaiwa before the transfer window closes could prove just as important. Both provide energy, balance and control in midfield, while Martin Boyle's decision to remain at the club for another season gives Hibs a proven match-winner capable of making the difference in tight games.
The next seven days already feel significant.
First comes Thursday's Conference League qualifier against the unfamiliar but potentially dangerous FK Shkendija. Hibs will want to take a healthy lead to North Macedonia and avoid leaving themselves with an uphill task in the second leg.
Then attention turns to Ibrox. It was a happy hunting ground in May but Rangers have changed considerably since then. Derek McInnes is now in charge, while familiar faces Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin will be waiting in blue. It promises to be another stern examination.
Football has a habit of changing the mood remarkably quickly. Win the next couple of matches and the doubts surrounding Gray will disappear almost as quickly as they surfaced. Fail to do so and the questions will only become louder.
Shkendija arrive without head coach for Hibs tie - gossippublished at 08:06 BST 6 August
08:06 BST 6 August
Shkendija arrived in Edinburgh for Thursday's Conference League third qualifying round first leg with Hibernian without head coach Artim Polozani amid documentation issues but the visitors hope to have him in the Easter Road dugout for the match. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required, external)
Elding hopes Hibs form can propel him to Ireland spotlightpublished at 17:42 BST 5 August
17:42 BST 5 August
David Currie BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
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Owen Elding is hoping his Hibs form will earn him a place in the Republic of Ireland squad for their Nations League matches next month - but he'll have to get his Irish passport first.
The 20-year-old forward was born in England but moved to Ireland with his family when his father, Anthony, signed for Sligo Rovers.
Elding followed in his dad's footsteps, making his Sligo debut three years ago before moving to Hibs in January this year.
He applied to become an Irish citizen but the compulsory citizenship awarding ceremony he was due to attend earlier this year was postponed because of protests over fuel prices in the country.
"I was due to have the citizenship ceremony at the start of the year, but it was cancelled," he said.
"We're near the end of it all now, I'm just waiting on the passport to come."
The hold-up prevented Elding being called up for Ireland's early-summer friendlies against Qatar and Canada but he was invited by head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson to train with the squad.
"Definitely getting that experience with the first-team international set-up was massive," he added.
"Obviously I couldn't play the game but it was just a chance for me to go in and show the staff and everyone what I could do.
"Just being around the boys for the camp and seeing what it's like is something I want to be a part of."
The attacker, who says his preferred position is the number 10 role, opened his scoring account for the season in last week's comeback win over Kosovans Malisheva that sent Hibs through to a third-round Conference League qualifier against Shkendija, with the first leg at Easter Road on Thursday.
And Elding hopes positive performances for Hibs in the Conference qualifiers will boost his prospects of making the Ireland squad for next month's Nations League games against Kosovo, Israel and Austria.
"Obviously the biggest stage in playing club football is the European stage, so everyone dreams as a kid to play in those competitions and tomorrow's the next step to where we want to be," he said.
"Obviously no Hibs team has made it into a league phase before, so we've got a real chance this year to go that one step further.
"I think we showed at home in the last tie that we're a good side, create loads of opportunities, and on our day we can beat a lot of teams."
Gray on Belgrade repeat, being more clinical & injury latestpublished at 14:49 BST 5 August
14:49 BST 5 August
David Currie BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
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Hibernian head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face FK Shkendija in the first leg of their Conference League third-round qualifier.
Here are the main points:
Gray admits Shkendija are "certainly a step up" in quality from second-round opponents Malisheva but he is confident "we're going in the right direction" in terms of match sharpness.
He adds: "It will be a difficult test but a similar one in terms of an aggressive side that move forward quickly and a few players that can cause you a threat as well."
This time last year Hibs overcame Partizan Belgrade at the same stage and Gray says "it's going to take a level of performance like that again".
The Hibs boss wants "to have a real positive result at home" and stresses "if you can keep a clean sheet you're off to a very good start".
After their defeat to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership opener, Gray admits his side "need to be more clinical" on Thursday night and are "certainly working on that area".
The Hibs manager is also looking for his side to be "a lot more robust" in certain defensive situations and minimise the defensive errors they made against Motherwell.
He stresses that reaching the league phase is "the target" and adds: "At this moment in time we're on course to do that but it's going to take two big performances".
Gray is hopeful that in 10 days time "the squad will look very different" as he hopes to welcome Jamie McGrath and Nicky Cadden back into the fold.
Team news: Callum Wright will be in in the squad on Thursday but the game is too soon for McGrath and Cadden who have only partially trained. Martin Boyle and Joe Newell have small issues but could still be involved.
'Less doom and gloom' required at Hibspublished at 13:27 BST 5 August
13:27 BST 5 August
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Image caption,
Hibs beat Malisheva 4-1 at Easter Road last week to progress in the Conference League
Is there too much "doom and gloom" surrounding Hibernian at the moment?
After an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Kosovan side Malisheva in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier last month, David Gray's side won 4-1 to progress to the third qualifying round.
They play Shkendija of North Macedonia on Thursday having lost their Premiership opener 2-1 at home to Motherwell.
Former Premiership midfielder Ryan Flynn told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast that Hibs fans should be more optimistic about what the club can achieve this season, albeit they still require some work.
"They've got great legs and energy in the middle, but is the blend right?" Flynn said.
"I think sometimes as a manager you are relying on those powers above you to make sure that you recruit well enough and the squad's ready.
"Let's be honest, these are massive games for Hibs. When it comes to the end of the season, do I think Hibs will be above Motherwell? I do personally.
"So I don't think it should be too doom and gloom but at the same time, I feel like everything always falls on David Gray as the head coach and that's the way it always comes. But I feel it should be sorted earlier, the squad should be better prepared for these massive games [in Europe].
"Out of Motherwell and Hibs, I probably fancy Hibs to potentially get through the way the draws happened. So I don't think it should be so doom and gloom.
"I do understand it at times, but I feel it should be a little bit less and I feel like the lens looking at him should change a little bit."
