Hibernian

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David Martindale is hoping Livingston can capitalise on Hibernian's request to play his side within three days of hosting Rangers.

Saturday's rescheduled Scottish Premiership meeting in West Lothian was initially due to take place on Wednesday, 3 December.

But, with Hibs and Livi facing the prospect of a free weekend due to the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, the Edinburgh club asked if it could be brought forward in order to ease their busy winter schedule.

Martindale, whose side had no game in midweek while Hibs were losing 1-0 at home to Rangers, was only too willing to oblige.

"Hibs came to us and offered us the schedule, so if you look at the fact Hibs were playing Rangers on Wednesday night, it's a bit of a no-brainer if a team comes to us to play within 48 hours of another game when we've had the benefit of having a Saturday to Saturday," the manager said.

Livingston sit bottom of the table without a win in nine outings and must make the most of any small advantage.

"They've got a big squad," Martindale said of Saturday's fourth-top visitors. "They obviously think they're more than capable of picking points up, albeit they've had a big game on Wednesday night, so the thinking behind it for us was it was a good time to try and play them.

"Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday is not a fixture schedule I like. It's not a game I would have been asking to play if we had a game on the Wednesday night and the opponent never had a game on the Saturday, so we need to try and use that to our advantage."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray has been speaking to the media before Hibs visit Livingston in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key points from the Easter Road boss:

• Gray wants a "reaction" from his squad to reclaim third place after the 1-0 midweek home loss to Rangers.

• That defeat was an "opportunity missed" and Gray adds: "We should have got something out of the game. We certainly weren't played off the pitch so you can take the confidence for that as well, but the players are genuinely thinking we should have been better individually and collectively and if we had done that, we would have given ourselves a better chance."

• Complacency will not be an issue against Livingston, with Gray labelling Hibs' two wins against David Martindale's men this season "irrelevant".

• The recruitment department are already "working hard" with the January transfer window in mind.

• On whether Hibs could go back in for players they missed out on in the summer: "I think there's always a list of targets. There's always situations that you're looking at."

• Team news: A few "bumps and bruises" after Wednesday night's game but the squad will be along similar lines.

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• Hibs forward Junor Hoilett has scored half of his eight Premiership goals against Livingston (4) and has been directly involved in six goals in just three league appearances against Livi (2 goals, 2 assists for Aberdeen, 2 goals for Hibs). The only player to be involved in more against the same opponent since the Canadian debuted in the competition in February 2024 is Kyogo Furuhashi vs St Johnstone (7).

• Livingston have won just one and lost five of their past seven league meetings with Hibs (D1), with that sole triumph coming in August 2023 (3-2).

• Hibs have lost just one of their past 10 Scottish Premiership games against newly-promoted sides (W6 D3), a 3-2 defeat at Dundee United in October 2024. They have already beaten Livingston this season, winning 4-0 last month.

• Livingston won their opening home game this season, 3-1 vs Falkirk, but have lost all three since 2-1. Livi last lost more consecutive home matches in the same Scottish Premiership season between December 2005 and March 2006 (run of five).

• Hibs have lost two of their past four Scottish Premiership matches (W2), as many as across their previous 28 league outings (W14 D12) – Hibs last lost back-to-back league games in November 2024.

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Rocky Bushiri insists "confidence is fine" at Hibernian after Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Rangers.

Jamie McGrath had a late penalty saved in what was a first home defeat in the Premiership for almost a year.

Hibs had been buoyed by back-to-back wins over Livingston and Aberdeen but slipped back to fourth place in a congested table.

"We wanted three wins on the spin and to continue the form, but it wasn't meant to be," said Bushiri. "We go again.

"The confidence is fine. We have good players and lots of options.

"There is nothing to worry about because the chances are there. But the reality of football is you need to score and avoid conceding.

"We have to go again because Saturday [away to Livingston] is an opportunity to get back to winning.

"We have built a mentality of going again and again and again. It's important to keep going."

Bushiri was reinstated to the starting XI after an injury to Warren O'Hora and took the captain's armband, with Martin Boyle among the substitutes.

"It's an honour and a pleasure," he said. "I've been here four years and I'm one who has played among the most games for the club. It doesn't change me as a person though."

Sportscene pundit Jackie McNamara analyses Jamie McGrath's late penalty miss that proved costly for Hibs in the 1-0 defeat to Rangers.

We asked for your views after Hibs' 11-month unbeaten home run in the league ended with a 1-0 defeat to Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Kenny: Poor performance and the penalty miss summed up the night. This was a poor Rangers team and yet we're not positive enough. Too much passing back and getting nowhere fast. This was a chance to get a win but we were far too negative.

Sandy: Expected another gear from the Hibs attack, all five forwards given a run at it. Very even overall performances from both sides, the missed penalty cost us a draw. Need more aggression in the next few games from Hibs, starting with Livingston.

Peter: Losing three points at home to a decidedly poor Rangers team is unacceptable really. David Gray seems unable to get the best out of his very decent squad.

Conor: It's just simply not good enough. No intensity or aggression from the team. Once again we just sat back, allowing them to get one good chance throughout the whole game to get a goal. We cannot keep going through these hot and cold stages. There have been questions about Kieron Bowie's performance lately. Is it a lack of confidence, or is he not getting the service provided to create chances?

Dougie: Thought it was a very passive performance and we let them dictate most of the game. Rangers never offered much as did we, we need to capitalise on games like this. A poor effort from the spot didn't help either.

Keith: Rangers grab an early goal probably against the run of play and we just couldn't break them down. We have a good midfield but we need to be so much more aggressive. Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron were snapping into tackles all night. I'd like to see Jordan Obita get a chance instead of Jack Iredale, and unfortunately Bowie looks tired and seems to have lost his way a bit. I feel we're starting to fall behind now.

Watch the highlights as Danilo's goal gives Rangers victory over Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, who saved a late Jamie McGrath penalty at Easter Road, says he had done his "homework" on the Hibs midfielder. (Sky Sports via Glasgow Times, external)

Hibernian were "masters of our downfall" against Rangers, says head coach David Gray. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Danilo's early goal and a late penalty save from Jack Butland gave Rangers victory over Hibernian as Danny Rohl's side emerged from an intense and absorbing contest with back-to-back Scottish Premiership wins.

Share your views on Hibs' performance.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "It's tough to take. I don't think it's as if we've been beaten by the better side.

"We gifted them a goal and they didn't really create many chances after that. Did we do enough? Probably not. That was down to a lack of quality from us.

"We certainly got into good areas and had the best two chances [in the second half], including missing a penalty, which was a massive moment.

"If we did get that goal we could have gone and won the game. There was not a lot in it."

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• Hibs are unbeaten in three league meetings with Rangers (W1 D2) - picking up as many points in those three games (5) as they had in their previous 22 against the Ibrox side in the Scottish Premiership prior (D5 L17).

• Rangers are unbeaten in 26 top-flight away games against Hibs (W16 D10) since a 2-1 defeat in September 2006. At only three sides have they ever enjoyed a longer away unbeaten streak in the top flight: Kilmarnock (30 from Dec 1994 to May 2011), Motherwell (31 from Oct 2003 to present), and Morton (41 from Feb 1920 to Nov 1987).

• Hibs remain unbeaten in 16 home league games (W10 D6) since going down 2-1 to St Mirren in November last season.

• Rangers have both scored (35 goals) and conceded (27) in their past 16 away league games (W6 D9 L1) – their longest such run since doing so 22 times in a row from January 1895 to September 1897.

• Nicolas Raskin has scored (two) or assisted (four) six of Rangers' last nine away league goals, while he both scored and assisted against Hibs at Easter Road in May.

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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There's a lot on the line at Easter Road as Hibernian aim to go a full 12 months without a home defeat in the league, while every game is big right now for Rangers as they bid to claw back ground after a dismal start to the season.

Hibs have won two in a row after being hamstrung by careless draws and David Gray's side are unbeaten in their past three Premiership meetings with Rangers.

However, the Hibees faithful have not celebrated a top-flight success at home against Rangers since September 2006 and they did surrender rather meekly at Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup last month.

In Sunday's 2-1 victory at Aberdeen, Hibs should have been out of sight before conceding in the dying embers.

The defence appears more solid now Grant Hanley has had a run of four successive starts and record signing Thibault Klidje is looking to score for the third game running but there is still a nagging feeling Gray should be getting more from an array of exciting attacking talent.

There were positive signs for new boss Rohl as Rangers finally delivered a first home league win of the campaign against Kilmarnock.

Rangers played with greater tempo and tenacity and there were potentially significant goals for Danilo and Youssef Chermiti, two players in grave need of a confidence boost.

Rohl would love to end a club record run of 24 competitive away games without a clean sheet but seems likely to place more emphasis on the other end of the pitch.

These two served up a 3-3 and a 2-2 in Edinburgh last term and another end-to-end thriller would not come as any surprise.

Read all the midweek Premiership picks

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Hibernian defender Warren O'Hora is doubtful with a shoulder issue while Dylan Levitt is out until after the international break after having his appendix removed.

Rudi Molotnikov (ankle), Joe Newell (groin) and Alasana Manneh (hamstring) are also still missing.

Rangers attacker Oliver Antman is available again after missing the Kilmarnock game with illness.

Long-term absentees Rabbi Matondo (knee), Dujon Sterling (Achilles) and Kieran Dowell remain out.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray is demanding a huge improvement from Hibs' previous performance against Rangers when the sides meet at Easter Road on Wednesday night.

Hibs were beaten 2-0 at Ibrox in the League Cup quarter-final last month during Russell Martin's shortlived tenure and now face an Ibrox side helmed by Danny Rohl, who takes charge for just the third time.

"We've obviously not got a lot to go off," the Hibs boss said about preparations for their midweek meeting.

"Rohl won't have had a lot of time on the grass with the new team. We're guarding against players that are off the back of a good win.

"They've changed a couple of systems now, so probably two different shapes. Within that, we know whatever shape or system he plays, they're a good side. They've got good players.

"We're very much looking at our own level of performance, looking at the last time we played against them and how can we improve from that performance.

"I don't think we played anywhere near the level we can.

"And certainly, as a result of that, we didn't get anything from the game. So for us to get a result tomorrow night, we know what we need to do.

"We've worked on our gameplan to try and go and win the game and that's what I'm concentrating on more than anything."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray has been speaking to the media before Hibs host Rangers in the Premiership on Wednesday night.

Here are the key lines:

• After Brendan Rodgers resigned as Celtic boss on Monday night, Gray says: "I woke up to that this morning. Nothing really surprises you in football. There's been a lot of noise around the Old Firm and everything that comes with that... but it's something that directly doesn't affect us and what we're doing. My focus is all about Rangers at the moment."

• Hibs occupy third place but Gray says the league is so tight that things can quickly change.

• He adds: "We've been an example of that in the last week. Back-to-back wins and what that's done for us, put us up into third place."

• Gray is unsure what system Rangers will play under Danny Rohl but insists they have "good players" and are coming off the back of a "good win" over Kilmarnock.

• He adds: "We've worked on our gameplan to try and go and win the game. And that's what I'm concentrating on more than anything."

• The shoulder problem that forced Warren O'Hora off at Pittodrie is "nothing too significant" but Dylan Levitt has had his appendix out and is sidelined until after the international break, while Rudi Molotnikov is facing a lay-off of up to eight weeks with an ankle injury.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Thibault Klidje is finally making his mark at Hibs.

The record signing has had to bide his time as David Gray slowly bled him into the team, but with goals in his past two starts, including a player-of-the-match performance against Livingston, the hitman is showing why Hibs splashed the cash to get him.

Klidje's goal against Aberdeen put Hibs on track for a vital three points on the road, and despite Gray's side passing up a load of great chances to put the game to bed, the boss will be delighted to put back-to-back league wins together to hold third place in the league.

To make it three in a row we'll have to get the better of Rangers at Easter Road on Wednesday night. It's a mouthwatering game with Hibs bang in form and Rangers on the back of a win over Kilmarnock under their new manager.

A home win would widen the gap on our visitors to five points and that has to be the motivation for the team.

If we can get our shooting boots on and create even half the chances we did against Aberdeen, then there's no reason why we can't get the victory.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Sportscene pundits Scott Allan and Neil McCann dissect how Hibs exposed Aberdeen in the Leith side's 2-1 win at Pittodrie on Sunday.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Thibault Klidje: There is a razor sharpness about Klidje and a sense that there is even more to come which makes him a hugely exciting player to watch at Hibs. The record signing took his goal superbly well against Aberdeen.

We asked for your views on Hibernian's 2-1 win against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

David: A very professional performance from Hibs and a great platform now in place to push on and beat Rangers on Wednesday.

Tim: Typical of Hibs to give us a nervous last three minutes after being so superior throughout the match - conceding in injury time is our worst habit. But plenty to like about the performance, both defensively and in attack. A well-balanced side with a strong bench.

Gordon: Another good three points for Hibs. Pittodrie always a difficult place to go irrespective of where Aberdeen are in the table, but please learn to put the ball in the back of the net and Martin Boyle learning to stay onside would help. Grant Hanley again solid at the back and Thibault Klidje also played particularly well together with Josh Mulligan and Jamie McGrath putting in good performances.

Sandy: First class team performance with Dan Barlaser man of the match. Raphael Sallinger is looking a really fine goalkeeper and had a great game. All round Hibs are looking ready now for the SPFL challenges ahead. Well played lads.

Laurence: Good to get an away win but if we'd taken our chances it would have been five or six. Third in the table but can't stop thinking about the draws with Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Falkirk, plus the injury-time goal against Hearts. A win on Wednesday against Rangers will solidify things and we can look upwards with confidence. It's a big game.

Alan: Good win today and an important one. Mind you should have been easier with the chances created. Think Klidje will only get better and better. Big game Wednesday and need a statement win like Hearts today.

Watch all the highlights as Hibernian move up to third in the Scottish Premiership by inflicting more pain on struggling Aberdeen.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "Delighted with the result firstly, difficult place to come. Players were fantastic, deserved the three points. All in all, we fully deserved the win. Delighted with that.

"We can only control our level, we selected a team to be on the front foot, aggressive and I thought that worked well. History tells you this is a hard place to come and win."

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Elie Youan's late goal moved Hibernian up to third place in the Scottish Premiership as David Gray's side ended their poor run of away form and consigned struggling Aberdeen to another defeat.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.

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David Gray doesn't expect European travels to weaken Aberdeen on Sunday, as the Hibs boss prepares to to travel to Pittodrie.

Aberdeen were on the sore side of a 6-0 thrashing to AEK Athens on Thursday, while Hibs come into the game in good form having put Livingston to the sword last weekend.

"I think it's something we've experienced ourselves, having played in Europe on a Thursday night," said Gray.

"But Aberdeen have developed a squad knowing they were going to be playing Thursday, Sunday, so they've got a really good, strong squad, regardless of what 11 they put out."

Hibs had to deal with European qualifiers earlier in the season, although they fell at the final hurdle in the Conference League play-off to Legia Warsaw.

That blow seemed to affect Hibs, who went winless in six after that disappointment, before the win against Livingston.

"I think the biggest thing is always about the mentality going into the game," Gray added. "They're all fit players, as are our players, they're all fit, strong, able to play two, three games a week, no problem. You look at the modern-day athlete, they can all do that.

"It's about the mentality going into it. And we certainly go into the game in a really good place after last week, and we need to take the confidence from that and go and make sure we do what we need to do to come back with three points."