Hibernian

Hibernian turned in a strong second-half showing to dismiss Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership and move six points clear of their visitors at Easter Road.

Have your say on Hibs' display.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray : "Delighted for the players, it was a huge win after everything that went into the derby.

"We spoke before the game about a fast start and building on the momentum - I thought it was a bit flat to be honest. Understandably so. Having to try and go again and the emotional side of it.

"Second half I thought we were very good and deserved to win the game. A clean sheet is always important.

"Now when you look at back-to-back wins. You need to win your home games but it's difficult to do that against two really good sides."

On Martin Boyle's muscle injury, Gray said: "It's far too early to say. He feels positive about it. But when you see him pull up the way he did at the speed it was running, it's unlikely there's nothing there."

Gray also expects Kieron Bowie to be back for the Kilmarnock game and potentially two of the three players at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Those are Rocky Bushiri, Jordan Obita, and Miguel Chaiwa.

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Former Rangers, St Mirren, Dundee and Falkirk forward Rory Loy believes Hibernian won't be worried about how they faded at the end of the Edinburgh derby, as all that matters in these games is winning.

And Loy sees parallels with Hibs' Tuesday visitors Aberdeen, who have been picking up points despite not playing all that well.

"David Gray'll just be delighted they got over the line because had they conceded a last-minute equaliser it would have changed the complexion of the week entirely," Loy said of Hibs' 3-2 home win over Hearts on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It doesn't matter how you win a derby. You could be 5-1 up and win 5-4, it doesn't matter as long as you win it.

"So, that will give them great belief going into tonight. Aberdeen, I wouldn't say they're in great form in terms of how they're playing but you know they seem to be picking up points whether it's one point, three points through playing OK.

"So, if Hibs turn up tonight, they'll fancy themselves in terms of getting three points and you know, before you know it, the top five or six teams in the league could be looking very, very tight and it could become very exciting."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

What a weekend it was to be a Hibee with an unlikely derby win giving us the bragging rights heading into 2026. Hearts fans will take comfort that they're still top of the league, but a Hibs win was not in the script as far as they were concerned as they piled into Easter Road expecting a comfortable win.

I have to say it never entered my thoughts on Saturday morning that Hibs would do anything other than win, usually I'm a bag of nerves for this fixture but I was sure the team would turn up this time – thankfully I shared this prediction with others before the match, so I'm not being Captain Hindsight here!

I didn't expect it to be so comfortable, though – the early goal totally rattled Hearts and Hibs were so much on top in the game that Hearts didn't muster a shot on target until almost 70 minutes had been played.

The only blemish on a great afternoon was not taking the chance to really run riot with the scoreline – we missed chances to make it 4-0 and again to put the tie beyond Hearts late on after they'd rallied with a couple of late goals.

For all the scoreline looks like the game was close, Hearts' only real attacking moments came when the game was lost, at 3-0 down they threw the kitchen sink at us and tactics went out the window as they hoped for a way back into the game.

Thankfully, and despite an error for Hearts' second goal, Hibs have unearthed a diamond in goals, with Raphael Sallinger pulling off an incredible save in the dying moments to ensure all three points stayed with the sunshine in Leith.

David Gray deserves plenty praise for getting that performance out of a team that was minus three internationalists missing because of Africa Cup of Nations participation, which meant he had to play young Kanayo Megwa at right-back in what must only be his third or fourth top-flight start, and when Nicky Cadden had to be replaced early in the game, Gray relied on the excellent Jamie McGrath to play out of position at left wing-back.

Both Megwa and McGrath put in stunning performances and more than deserved to come out on the winning side of a pulsating derby.

With Aberdeen up next for Hibs, Gray must use the work rate and effort shown on Saturday as the benchmark for what's demanded of the team in every match from now.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

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Hibernian's Nicky Cadden is doubtful after a calf injury forced him off against Hearts on Saturday, while Rocky Bushiri, Miguel Chaiwa and Jordan Obita are on international duty.

Rudi Molotnikov is close to returning after an ankle injury.

Aberdeen have Dylan Lobban available following suspension.

Fellow defenders Gavin Molloy and Kristers Tobers are still out with knee injuries.

Wolves are monitoring Hibernian and Scotland striker Kieron Bowie, 23, as they prepare for relegation to the Championship. (Patreon.com - subscription required), external

Hibs midfielder Josh Campbell suggests "anyone can win" this season's Scottish Premiership. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Josh Campbell wants Hibernian to back up their thrilling Edinburgh derby triumph with victory over Aberdeen on Tuesday as they search for the type of consistency that ignited their season last winter.

Hibs surged from bottom of the table in December 2024 to third place by the end of the campaign.

They currently occupy fifth place in the Scottish Premiership, having dropped points on a regular basis.

Campbell believes Hibs should be higher in the league and hopes Saturday's 3-2 victory over league leaders Hearts can act as a catalyst.

"That was a statement win from us and we need to build on it and hopefully we can climb up that table," said the midfielder, who came off the bench in the first half to score the second goal.

"This time last year we were down towards the bottom, but then we went four wins on the bounce.

"That shot us up the table and this could be the start of something like we started last year."

Campbell, 25, has started only one league game this term, while his excellent header at the weekend was his first goal of the campaign.

"The manager's brought players in, especially Jamie McGrath, who's been exceptional," said Campbell, who has a career-best five goals and four assists against Aberdeen.

"He's been a great signing for us and he showed his quality again. I've just been patient and you have to be.

"You have to train and go to work as if you're about to play every game. Then if you're called upon, you have to deliver.

"Trying to get up to the speed of a derby when I came on, about 30 minutes in, that's one of the worst feelings in the world, hands down.

"But I just stuck to what I know and managed to score. It's what you dream of, isn't it?"

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• Hibernian have lost just one of their last nine home league games against Aberdeen (W6 D2), a 0-4 defeat in May 2024 under Nick Montgomery.

• Aberdeen have lost three of their last four league games against Hibernian (W1), as many as their previous eight beforehand (W2 D3 L3).

• After beating Kilmarnock 1-0 in their final league match of 2024, Hibernian could end two consecutive years in the top-flight with a win for the first time since doing so in 2012 (v Celtic) and 2013 (v Kilmarnock).

• Aberdeen have both scored and conceded in each of their last five league games, last doing so six times in a row in February 2022.

• Only Hearts pair Lawrence Shankland (51) and Cláudio Braga (49) have had more shots in the Scottish Premiership this season than Aberdeen's Jesper Karlsson (46). However, all five of Karlsson's goals in the league this term have come at Pittodrie, failing to score with any of his 21 shots away from home.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Josh Mulligan (Hibernian): Brings a buzz of dynamism and power to all parts of the pitch. Not for the first time I'm forcing this versatile player into my side as an auxiliary right-back.

Jamie McGrath (Hibernian): Scored the Edinburgh derby opener, delivered an assist for the second and generally delivered a fair bit of everything in what was a statement Hibernian victory.

Kieron Bowie (Hibernian): Tireless and dynamic display from the Scotland international, who grabbed the third all important goal as Hibernian vanquished Hearts.

Celtic are among a growing list of clubs showing an interest in highly-rated Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan. (Daily Mail), external

Read all of Monday's Scottish football gossip

Watch highlights as Hibernian beat Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts in an epic Edinburgh derby at Easter Road. (Available to UK users only)

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Jamie McGrath says a big win this season has been "what is missing" for Hibernian and the Irishman was key to derby victory over Hearts.

Playing in his first derby at Easter Road, McGrath grabbed the opening goal after three minutes, and swung in the cross for Josh Campbell to make it 2-0.

Starting in midfield, McGrath then had to shift to left wing-back after 30 minutes to fill in for the injured Nicky Cadden.

He managed three crosses from that position, including his assist for Campbell after he surged past Oisin McEntee, the joint most from a Hibs player.

But not only that he won six of his 10 duels, only Kieron Bowie won more, in an all-round performance.

"I think that's what's missing so far this season," McGrath said of the victory.

"We've been on top against the bigger teams and we haven't got that early goal. So today it was nice to get on the scoresheet early."

It has been an excellent debut season in Leith for McGrath after his arrival on a free transfer from Aberdeen.

The 29-year-old has contributed six goals and three assists in the league.

We asked for your views after Hibs held on to beat Hearts 3-2 in a thrilling Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.

Here's what some of you said:

Gordon: Goes without saying big, big result. Superb for an hour, taking a few of our chances when they came along for a change then faded in latter stages, almost Hibs-ing it, but thankfully managed to hold out for the win. As David Gray rightly said a statement win, let's not waste it and follow it up with another three points against Aberdeen.

John: Making our chances count was crucial because Hearts were always going to score at some point. There was a lot to like about this performance as the team gave everything for the win.

Lee: For an hour, Hibs fans in the stadium got a real sense of this team's capabilities. It's bizarre, because on departing the stadium having witnessed a great game for the neutrals, Hibs fans again felt deprived because better decisions in attacking areas when leading 3-0 on the hour mark, and Hibs may have gone on to inflict a much bigger win. Fingers crossed this is the springboard to Hibs starting to get the results this squad is more than capable of.

Les: We finally showed what this team is capable of. Hearts are a very capable side and for 70 minutes we played them off the park. If we showed that grit and mentality every week we would be turning all of those draws into victories. Very proud of how we played.

Neil: Fantastic result in the end, but when we have massive control of game we need to set up more rigid and not be so open. That and Josh Mulligan going off changed game in their favour for last 20 mins.

Tim: That was a nerve-shredding last 10 minutes! After looking pretty comfortable and being so close to going 4-0 up, Hibs visibly tired. Not surprising, given the outstanding effort put in up until then. So relieved to cling on for a well-deserved Sunshine on Leith, which was absolutely banging!

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Hibernian boss David Gray: "It was a brilliant game to be involved in. We deserved to be 3-0 up. Full credit to Hearts. We certainly were [holding on], and that's when you need your big characters to stand up and be counted.

"We got over the line and that's the most important thing. [The big thing today was] making sure the players were aware of the chaos and what was coming.

"That's something we handled really well, the aggression right from the start, intensity to get the ball back was certainly there.

"Big save from the goalkeeper [at the end] and the fine margins have gone for us in the end.

"I asked [the players] for a big statement win, we got that today. It's now about kicking on and trying to be more consistent with our results. We got what we deserved today.

"They are a really good group, they work hard all the time. The dressing room is a very good dressing room. There's a long way to go, a lot of football to be played.

"I'm sure the neutrals enjoyed it, I'm off for a lie down."

Hibernian survived a late fightback from Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts to dent their rivals' title hopes in an epic five-goal Edinburgh derby.

Have your say on the game here.

Read our match report here.

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Hibs will have Chris Cadden and Warren O'Hora back after they missed last weekend's draw at Dundee United.

Jordan Obita, Miguel Chaiwa and Rocky Bushiri are on international duty while Rudi Molotnikov (ankle) is still recovering from injury.

Hearts welcome back Harry Milne after suspension while Craig Halkett is set to return after missing the win over Rangers with a minor injury.

Landry Kabore is on international duty while Calem Nieuwenhof, Ageu and Finlay Pollock (all hamstring) are expected to remain sidelined.

As the Edinburgh rivals prepare to slug it out on derby day, take a saunter down memory lane and revisit a couple of classics.

First up is Hibs' 7-0 rout of Hearts in the new year derby of 1973, followed by the Jambos dishing out a 5-1 thrashing in 2012 to lift the Scottish Cup.

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David Gray believes Martin Boyle's World Cup "carrot" can drive the forward to keep delivering for Hibs in the new year.

Only one Scottish Premiership player - Celtic forward Daizen Maeda, with 27 - has scored more club goals in 2025 than Boyle's 22 for Hibs.

Boyle reached a century of goals for Hibs in August and became their record European scorer. With 108 goals, he is within six of joining the club's top 10 scorers in history.

The 32-year-old is on course to go to his first World Cup with the Socceroos at the end of this season after missing the 2022 showpiece due to injury.

"I think it's huge, he's always had little targets," said Hibs head coach Gray.

"If you think about last season, the target to try and get 100 goals for Hibs. He's now chasing down the top 10 for Hibs.

"Also at this moment in time, there's only been Daizen Maeda who has scored more goals than him in the whole calendar year.

"He's constantly setting himself new targets to improve all the time, and I think that's why he is successful.

"He's got that carrot of the World Cup at the end of the season to try and get towards.

"He knows that if he's delivering here and playing to a high standard and scoring goals, that he's got a real opportunity to go and do that at a World Cup.

"That's probably all the motivation he needs at this stage in his career."

Boyle, who is relaxed over his future with his current deal expiring next summer, heads into the Edinburgh derby against Hearts on Saturday having netted in three of his past four games.

"It's been good to see Boyley back amongst the goals a bit more in the last few weeks," said Gray. "Hopefully he can take confidence from that and keep moving forward.

"He's probably, by his own admission, not been as clinical on certain occasions this season but he's certainly a huge threat and always willing to put himself in the positions.

"He's been very successful at this football club and a mainstay for a long time and always delivered and knows what it's all about to play in the Edinburgh derby.

"He's been very effective for this football club for a very long time."

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• Hibs won their last home Edinburgh derby against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership 2-1 in March, but haven't won successive home matches against their rivals in the top flight since March 2018 under Neil Lennon.

• After their 1-0 win in October, Hearts are looking to win back-to-back Premiership matches against Hibs for the first time since April 2014. Indeed, Derek McInnes could be the first Hearts boss to win both of his first two top-flight Edinburgh derbies in charge of the club since Paulo Sergio in 2011-12 (first 3).

• Excluding when they were relegated in 2020, Hearts haven't lost their final Premiership game of a calendar year since 2016 (1-0 v Aberdeen), going unbeaten in seven since (W3 D4), a run which includes a 1-0 win at Easter Road in 2018.

• Hibs have only lost two of their past 20 home matches in the Premiership (W12 D6), with those two defeats both being by a single goal, against Rangers (1-0 in October) and Celtic (2-1 in November).

• Since Hibs were promoted in 2017, Hearts' Lawrence Shankland is the top scoring player in league derbies between the two sides with five goals. However, Shankland hasn't scored in any of the past four league contests between Hibs and Hearts, last netting in this fixture in February 2024.

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Martin Boyle has indicated he will wait until the summer to consider his future at Hibernian.

The Edinburgh club triggered a one-year contract extension for the 32-year-old in May.

The Australia forward is closing in on 400 Hibs appearances and has scored 106 goals.

"No plans," he said when asked about the prospect of a new deal. "I've not even looked at it, not even noticed it until you've brought it up.

"I'm just trying to contribute as best as I am for the club, try to score as many goals as I can and keep working hard.

"It was late last year when it happened, so we'll just see what happens at the end of the season."

Boyle has hit three goals in his past four outings going into Saturday's derby with Hearts at Easter Road.

"It's a special game," he said. "I've played in quite a lot over the years, scored in a few, so I have had special memories, but at the same time I know how it can turn when we don't come out on the winning side."

Hearts sit six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, with just one loss from 18 games, while they are 16 points better off than their city rivals.

"They're playing really well, so hats off to them, but it's up to us to focus on ourselves," added Boyle.

"Consistency is definitely key in this league, so they're obviously maintaining that, but when it's a derby you have the famous old saying 'form goes out the window'.

"It's something that you look for at the start of the season, it's definitely the main one. The bragging rights and stuff, the adrenaline, it's just a buzz to be playing in it."