Charlton Athletic could seek an alternate plan for Zach Mitchell in January since the on-loan defender has yet to feature for Hibernian. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Image source, SNSGrant Hanley returns from suspension but Nicky Cadden drops out for Hibs with a calf injury while Junior Hoilett and Jordan Obita (hamstring) are doubts.
Thibault Klidje will be back in training next week. Rudi Molotnikov (ankle) remains out.
Falkirk have a doubt over Keelan Adams (groin) while Coll Donaldson and Aidan Nesbitt are building up their fitness after long-term absences.
Gary Oliver (hamstring), Ross MacIver (ankle), Lewis Neilson (ankle) and Tom Lang (foot) remain on the sidelines.
Image source, SNSHibs head coach David Gray has been accentuating the positives as his side look to bounce back from consecutive defeats.
Setbacks against Motherwell and Celtic have seen Hibs suffer back-to-back defeats for the first time in 13 months.
But they have had a free week to prepare for Saturday's visit of Falkirk while their opponents drew with Motherwell in midweek.
Gray told Hibs TV: "It's been a positive week in terms of what I have seen from the players on the grass.
"The start of the week was frustrating when you go back over the game and reflect on what we did.
"But we try not to be too downbeat after a defeat, which is really difficult to do, because we can never accept losing games and it doesn't hurt any less when you play well and lose.
"But there was a lot of positives when I think back to what I asked the players to do and what I saw, especially at the start of the game.
"We had that two-minute period and up to half-time we weren't as good as we were.
"So I was able to show the players that and now we quickly move on to the challenge of playing a team who are directly level with us on points and it's an opportunity to put ourselves three points in front of them."
Image source, SNSThe highs of last season's surge to a third-place finish are a fading memory for Hibs fans amid this term's up-and-down form.
The Easter Road club have five wins from their 15 Premiership games and occupy fifth place before Saturday's visit of Falkirk.
Hibs legend Joelle Murray, the defender turned coach, told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "I think the inconsistency in performances [is why fans are unhappy].
"Last season, the second half of last season in particular, we had a fantastic run of form and results and I think the expectation was that we would pick up from there and really use that as a springboard into this season, especially off the back of the retention of players and the new signings.
"Whether it be injuries, illness or just a genuine dip in form, we've not really had the consistency that we showed towards the tail-end of last season so I think that's why the fans are frustrated.
"However, when you do look at the table, sitting on 21 points, we're fifth, but a few points takes you right up there.
"It's a difficult one because it's a results-driven business. We of course want to play nice football, but we are still in and among the top end of the table."
Hibernian have submitted planning permission for upgrades to their Ormiston training base, which is struggling to accommodate all the senior and academy teams using the facility. (Hibs Observer - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSNo side have had more penalties in the Scottish Premiership this season than Hibs (five), with the Easter Road team scoring four of their spot-kicks – just one fewer than they did in the whole of last season's competition (five).
Hibs are unbeaten in 18 top-flight home games against newly-promoted opponents (W8 D10) since a 1-0 defeat to Ross County in December 2012 under Pat Fenlon.
Falkirk are winless in 11 top-flight meetings with Hibs (D5 L6) since a 2-1 victory in December 2006 under John Hughes.
Hibs have lost their past two league games – as many as their previous 15 beforehand (W5 D8) – while they last lost three in a row in October 2024. Hibs could also lose back-to-back home league games for the first time since May 2024.
Falkirk have kept a clean sheet in three successive league games, last doing so four times running in the Premiership in March 2008. Their last two, though, have been goalless. The last side to play out three consecutive 0-0 draws in the top flight were Hibs in March 2022.
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has confirmed talks with midfielder Dante Polvara regarding a new contract are ongoing, with the 25-year-old out of contract in the summer and on Hibernian's radar. (Press & Journal), external
Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Matty Fairnie
Fan writer
It's been a tough week for Hibs.
Two games where we've conceded in quick succession and gone on to lose has really dampened what was left of the early-season optimism, particularly the manner of the goals.
Last season's horror start was characterised by self-inflicted wounds, and we're seeing the same bad habits creeping back into our play.
Whether it's defensive lapses at key moments, or missing sitters, the result has been no points from six in a week where two victories could have taken us into second place.
It hasn't worked at either end of the pitch in the past two games and it definitely feels like there's something lacking in this Hibs side at the moment. Last season's turnaround was delivered with swagger and confidence, sparked by the 3-3 draw with Aberdeen.
Maybe David Gray needs another result snatched from the jaws of defeat to give his side the lift that's needed to make sure the season doesn't turn into a mid-table battle with the other top-six hopefuls.
Gray definitely needs and deserves time to find the answers, though – we saw what he is capable of last season and glimpsed it in our early European campaign, so I'm hopeful the club shut out the noise and back him to strengthen the squad in January.
Finally, best wishes to the BBC's Kenny Macintyre on his recovery from prostate cancer. It's a measure of Kenny that he would use his platform to raise awareness of the importance of regular screening, and I hope he has a speedy recovery.
Image source, SNSHibernian defender Rocky Bushiri has been named in DR Congo's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Bushiri, 26, joins Celtic winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, 24, in Sebastien Desabre's squad.
DR Congo will play Benin (23 December), Senegal (27 December) and Botswana (30 December) in Group D.
Bushiri has been capped five times and Balikwisha made his DR Congo debut in the play-off victory over Nigeria last month after switching allegiance from Belgium.
We asked for your views on Hibs' 2-1 defeat to Celtic yesterday.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Neil: No need to overanalyse this one. A better performance than against Motherwell, but we gifted Celtic two goals and never took our chances, therefore we didn't deserve to win the game.
Bill: Same old shortcomings, keeper and Rocky Bushiri caught out for first, Bushiri jogging back at second. Once again formation not working, Chris Cadden and Jordan Obita can't defend. Kieron Bowie and Martin Boyle having to chase long balls, not much service. Nothing on bench.
Mark: Hibs played well for long periods and dominated for most of it. Ninety seconds of lapsed concentration cost us the points. If we continue to play like that, we'll win more than we lose.
Ross: Concerned with some of the performances against the bigger clubs so far this season. Far too passive in games vs the old firm and I disagree with David Gray's assessment. We never looked like getting back into the game. We are becoming a little too predictable in our tactics.
Sandy: Hibs are in need of a 'statement' win, and it was not to be today. Celtic were not the better team, as much as we shot ourselves in the foot with defensive errors yet again!
Scott: Started and finished well but in-between Celtic mostly controlled the game. Finishing was poor as was the defending for the two Celtic goals. Gray simply must do better with this squad.
Michael: Celtic were handed the first goal but we did better in the second half but a point a piece would have been fair!
Grant: I think we shouldn't be playing out from the back against a quality side like Celtic, tactics were wrong again. When we changed the shape second half, and went a bit more direct we definitely had them on the ropes.
Watch highlights from Celtic's Scottish Premiership win at Easter Road on Sunday.
Available to UK users only.
Hibernian head coach David Gray hopes Nicky Cadden's early withdrawal in the loss to Celtic will mean his calf strain is not as severe while tightness felt by Jordan Obita is "nothing significant". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Two former referees say Celtic full-back Colby Donovan should have been sent off for a challenge on Obita in the visitors' 2-1 win at Easter Road. (The Ref's View via Record, external)
Steve Conroy and Des Roache also bemoan a lack of consistency over the handball rule. (The Ref's View via Glasgow Times, external)
The penalty for handball given against Celtic's Liam Scales following a VAR review in their win over Hibs was the correct call, believes the defender. (Herald - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSHibernian head coach David Gray: "For very large periods we were on top. We definitely deserved to get something.
"I saw everything I asked the players to do. You need to take your chances against a team like Celtic, that's something that's maybe let us down today.
"You give Celtic a two-goal head start, it's a difficult thing [to come back from]. The players maybe got spooked by that. We saw a really positve reaction second half.
"I take responsibility for the first goal, mistakes happen with the way we try to play out. The players should take belief from the second half."
Image source, SNSHibs defender Grant Hanley drops out through suspension but Josh Campbell returns from injury. Rudi Molotnikov (ankle), Junior Hoilett (niggle) and Dylan Levitt (appendix) are out.
Celtic hope Colby Donovan can shake off a foot knock while Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi are in contention after hamstring injuries.
James Forrest remains out while Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand (both hamstring) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) are long-term absentees.
Image source, SNSHibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger is hopeful of forcing his way into the Austria squad before next summer's World Cup.
The 29-year-old, signed in June from Austrian Bundesliga side TSV Hartberg, has kept four clean sheets so far in the Scottish Premiership as the Hibees sit third in the table.
Sallinger played once for Austria Under-20s but is yet to receive a call up to the senior side.
"It should be every player's ambition to be in the national team," he said.
"I'm very happy for my country and for the Austrian national team that they have qualified for the World Cup.
"I want to just try the best I can. Maybe they're going to have a look at Scotland, maybe they give me a chance.
"But I think it's on me, I want to make the best performances I can and then let's see what happens.
"A lot of players are playing for international teams. It would be good if this happens to me as well. It was always a target for me to play in an international team and if it happens, it happens."
As Hibs prepare to face Celtic at Easter Road on Sunday, Sallinger isn't putting any more pressure on the game despite the potential increased recognition it could receive from the Austria national team set up.
"For me no, because I have to do the best I can in every game," he said. "But maybe for them it's more publicity and everything, it's on TV.
"I don't know, but the league doesn't get decided in one game, so there are a couple of games to play. I just want to make sure that I'm performing well in every game."
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSHosting a Celtic side on a high from Thursday's Europa League win over Feyenoord is a "very good" game for Hibernian after their midweek defeat by Motherwell, head coach David Gray insists.
"I'm looking for a reaction and I know I'll get it from the players," he said of Sunday's game.
"We've got a home crowd, early kick-off, live on the telly, I think it's what players should come to this football club for, an opportunity to test themselves against one of the best in the league."
It is expected to be Martin O'Neill's final game as Celtic interim manager before a permanent appointment is made.
"A lot of people have said they've not had a brilliant start to the season, but they're in the cup final, they've just won in Europe away," Gray said.
"I think obviously with Martin O'Neill and his staff coming in, they've steadied the ship, they've won some big results and, if it is to be their last game, I'm sure they'll want to go out on a high.
"Our opportunity now is to try and make sure that doesn't happen. Regardless of who the manager is, whatever their form is, they've got top players, players that play European football for a reason, so we know the challenge will be difficult."
Hibs missed the chance to narrow the gap with second-top Celtic to two points on Tuesday as Motherwell drew level with Gray's side on goal difference.
"You can't dwell on things like that, but I did think it was important we didn't just sweep it under the carpet," he added.
"The biggest disappointment from my point of view, and where my frustration came from, was it was just so unlike us as a performance.
"It's not as if I've had to do this a lot, but I had to go over it and I had to be quite blunt. We got sucked into a way of playing, I believe, for the first 20-25 minutes which is not the way we've played."
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSHibernian head coach David Gray has been talking to the media before his side's Premiership clash with Celtic on Sunday.
Here are the best bits from his news conference:
Gray says the fact Easter Road is one of only two Scottish stadiums included in the UK bid for the 2023 Women's World Cup is a fitting legacy for former owner Ron Gordon.
Gray says Hibs have already moved on and recovered from the disappointing midweek loss at Fir Park. He says "you can't dwell" on a defeat, but expects a "reaction" in front of their own fans.
The frustration stems from the performance being "so unlike us" and being "sucked into" the game Motherwell wanted.
There have been some honest discussions between the players about what went wrong against Motherwell, but Gray says that happens all the time as they are an honest group.
He praised Celtic's win against Feyenoord, which he says was great for them and Scottish football as a whole.
With Sunday possibly Martin O'Neill's last match as Celtic interim manager, Gray knows they will come to Easter Road determined to win for the Northern Irishman, who has won all of his domestic matches so far.
The Hibs boss adds: "They'll want to go out on a high and our opportunity now is to try and make sure that doesn't happen. Regardless of who the manager is, whatever their form is, they've got top players, players that play European football for a reason, so we know the challenge will be difficult."
Team news: Junior Hoilett misses out with a hip injury but Josh Campbell is available again.
Image source, SNSHibernian's Easter Road is one of 22 venues included in the the UK's bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup.
Hampden Park in Glasgow is the only other Scottish stadium listed.
Edinburgh and Glasgow are two of the 16 host cities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The UK's joint bid stands unopposed and could be ratified by a vote in a Fifa congress in 2026.
Easter Road hosted Scotland women's win over Hungary in the Euro 2025 play-off semi-final play-off second leg in Ocotber last year.
Hibs chairman Ian Gordon said: "We are delighted to be part of the UK's exciting bid to host the 2035 Fifa Women's World Cup.
"Since my family and I became majority shareholders in Hibernian FC we have been extremely passionate about the development of women's football.
"As a club we have made huge strides over the last few years and have tried to support the Scotland national team at Easter Road whenever opportunities arose.
"We are strongly supporting the bid to host the Women's World Cup and believe a proposal of this kind can leave a lasting legacy on the women's game."
Image source, SNSAfter their 2-1 win in February, Hibs could enjoy back-to-back home league victories over Celtic for the first time since December 2018.
Since the start of 2017-18, Celtic have won just 27% of their league visits to Easter Road (four/15), their lowest away win rate against any opponent in the Scottish Premiership in this period.
Hibs have only lost one of their past 18 home league games (W11 D6), going down 1-0 to Rangers in October.
Celtic have won three successive league games without conceding. The Hoops last won more in a row in December 2024 (seven), and last did so while keeping a clean sheet each time in their opening six league matches of last season.
No side has scored more 90th-minute (or later) winners in the Premiership this season than Celtic (three, level with Hearts), including Callum McGregor last time out at St Mirren. The last club to score more in a single campaign in the competition were Rangers in 2016-17 (five).
Against Motherwell on Tuesday night, Hibs had just two shots, their lowest in a Premiership match since February 2022 against Celtic (also two), and the joint fewest any side has managed in a single match in the competition in 2025-26 (Dundee also two v Hibs in August).
Celtic's Callum McGregor has been involved in 76 open play sequences ending in a shot in the Premiership this season – at least 13 more than any other player.
Hibs have scored five goals following high turnovers in the league – more than any other team – despite the fact only two teams have had fewer shots following high turnovers than David Gray's side (10) in the division this term (Aberdeen eight, Dundee seven).
Hibernian are "hurting" following their midweek loss to Motherwell, says Chris Cadden. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
