Hibernian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Interim boss John Potter has been speaking to the media before Hibs host Aberdeen on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines:

• Potter admits the sacking of David Gray - who did a "great job" - was a "bit of a surprise" but in football "these things happen".

• He says Gray can be proud of his record as player and manager at the club.

• Potter also stressed that responsibility for Hibs' poor form should not rest solely with Gray. He says: "I think everyone's got to take responsibility for some of the results that we've had. That's players, that's staff, that's us, that's everyone and I think that's important we do that."

• Thursday was a "tough day" for everyone at the club, with Potter adding: "David, Liam (Craig) and Craig (Samson) are good guys, they're friends of mine, they're friends of a lot of the staff and the players, so it's difficult."

• But he insists the players' full focus must now be on Saturday's match, adding: "Their jobs are to try and go and win games of football."

• Potter is "open to anything" regarding his own future but says he has no idea how or when the club will be looking to make a new appointment.

• Hibs are "a brilliant club" and the expectations should be finishing near the top of the league and winning cups.

• Kanayo Megwa will be missing after picking up an injury in the defeat to Kilmarnock.

• Gareth Evans, Darren McGregor and Scott Thomson will assist Potter in the game at the weekend.

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Hibernian will have only made the right call to sack David Gray "if they get the right manager in", according to former Easter Road midfielder Scott Allan.

The former Hibs captain exited after Tuesday's home defeat by bottom-placed Kilmarnock and Allan thought "it had a sense of inevitability about it" when "fans are not happy with what they're seeing".

"It was just as poor a performance I've seen from Hibs in a long time," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "I thought they were really poor."

Allan thought Gray had been "a right good crack" at the Hibs job but that this season had shown "what separates managers being great and good is fine margins".

He pointed out Gray had been "13 minutes away from" qualifying for the Conference League and Hibs had been "good up until a player gets sent off" in their derby defeat by Hearts.

However, it "just felt to me that they were standing still a little bit and had to have invested in their squad".

"I think ultimately the fans were getting bit fed up with the sort of football they were playing," Allan said. "And Hibs have obviously felt that a change is needed."

He had "raised my eyebrows" at some of the names being linked with the job and did not think any candidates currently operating or available in Scotland were suitable.

"They need to go and pluck someone from somewhere who has a really good CV," Allan added. "here's huge pressure on getting this appointment right."

• Hibs, who sacked head coach David Gray in midweek, have lost six successive home games in the Scottish Premiership. In the 21st century, just two sides have lost seven in a row at home in Scotland's top flight: Ross County (Oct 2014 to Jan 2015) and Dundee (May to Oct 2018).

• Aberdeen scored as many goals in their 4-0 win at Motherwell last time out as they had in their previous seven league games combined. The Dons have kept two consecutive Premiership clean sheets, last keeping three in a row in May 2024 (5).

• Hibs (26y 325d) and Aberdeen (27y 325d) are the two sides with the oldest average ages of their starting XIs in the top flight this season.

• Hibs have only lost one of their past 10 home league games against Aberdeen (W7 D2), a 4-0 defeat in May 2024.

• After their 2-0 win in April, Aberdeen could win back-to-back league meetings with Hibs for the first time since November 2020 (3 in a row).

Hibernian are ready to ask permission from Bristol Rovers to speak to 63-year-old Steve Evans over the vacant manager's role at Easter Road following the departure of David Gray. (Football Insider, external)

Hibs would need to pay £250,000 in compensation if they decide to move for Steve Evans after the Scot, who has Bristol Rovers joint top of League Two, was installed as the early bookmakers' favourite for the vacancy at Easter Road. (Daily Record, external)

Hibs have not approached Bristol Rovers to discuss talks with manager Steve Evans, despite reports linking the Edinburgh club with the veteran coach, but hope to make an appointment early in the international break. (Edinburgh Evening News, external)

Former Feynoord striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, who most recently managed Sweden, is second favourite for the Hibs job behind Steve Evans. (Scottish Sun, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

It felt inevitable that David Gray's time was up long before the full-time whistle on Tuesday night.

The atmosphere at Easter Road was as hostile as I can remember. It was clear that, for the Hibs support, this was one poor performance too many.

Hibs will lose to teams worse than Kilmarnock, but the manner of the defeat, coming after bafflingly poor displays in Perth and the Edinburgh derby (at least for the first 45 minutes), left Gray with no way back.

I'm gutted about it. Gray will always be a club legend and as head coach he made history in several ways, some more significant than others.

He led Hibs to consecutive top-five finishes for the first time in seven years, secured back-to-back European campaigns, oversaw three straight wins at Ibrox and ended a painfully long wait for a victory at Parkhead.

Add in the Christmas derby win that derailed Hearts' title challenge last season and Gray can be proud of what he achieved at the club.

However, the focus now needs to shift beyond Gray and towards the role Malky Mackay has played in the club's current situation.

The summer recruitment looked incoherent at best, leaving the squad short on quality and lacking options to change games from the bench. Gray can justifiably feel frustrated by the players he was given to work with.

The Gordon family should also be asking serious questions about whether the club is heading in the right direction.

The next managerial appointment is hugely important, not only for the team's future but also for rebuilding supporters' confidence. Right now, it's hard to say there is widespread trust the people making that decision are the right ones.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari batted away reports linking him with the vacant Hibernian job, saying: "Every time there is some vacancy somewhere, all the coaches will be thrown in."

David Gray was sacked by Hibs on Wednesday, becoming the Scottish Premiership's first managerial casualty of the season in the wake of a 1-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock that leaves them ninth in the table on six points after six games.

Finn Valakari, who joined Saints in 2024 and oversaw promotion from the Championship earlier this year, is among the early names who have been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Easter Road job.

Speaking before Saturday's league visit of Falkirk, Valakari said: "I have lived most of my football life in the UK and even when I have been outside the UK coaching, every time there is some vacancy somewhere, all the coaches will be thrown in, that is how you guys work it.

"We have a game on Saturday, the full focus is for that."

Asked if being linked with the Hibs job was testament to the good work he is continuing to do in Perth, Valakari said: "No, my players are doing the good job, my club is doing the good job and that is the only reason as a coach you will be linked.

"It is credit to my club, credit to my players that maybe you get mentioned somewhere but, as I said, I lived all my life in football and I know how it works."

Valakari believes the sacking of Gray simply serves to highlight the harsh nature of football management.

"He is my colleague and of course I feel for my colleague," he added. "It tells you the ruthlessness of this business.

"I know with the picture it has happened to me, it will happen to me in the future when you are in this business, unfortunately, so that is how it is but it is always a sad moment but that is football.

"I can use the experience of us last season when we were in the Championship, we were leading from the first day until the last day and when we had a draw and we lost some matches I was the worst manager. There can be, 'we need to do some changes' - that is how football goes."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray "will bounce back and find a good job", derby rival Wouter Vrancken has predicted after the Scottish head coach's dismissal by Hibernian on Wednesday.

The Hearts boss played his part in heaping pressure on the former Hibs captain with a 3-1 win at Easter Road in this month's Edinburgh derby.

But the Belgian expressed sympathy for Gray, who had steered his side to a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Hearts but whose near two-and-a-half years in charge ended with his side currently ninth in the Scottish Premiership, six places below their city rivals.

"The sympathy I feel is also because, when you're in the job, you know how hard it is, and how difficult the situations can be," Vrancken said.

"I know how hard it is to be in the job. I'm always sad to see a colleague losing his job."

Hibs will likely have a new permanent head coach in time for the meeting at Hampden on Sunday, 1 November.

However, Vrancken's full focus is on recovering from his own side's 2-1 defeat at Falkirk Stadium when they face a Kilmarnock side on Saturday whose 1-0 win at Easter Road was the final straw for Gray.

He says it would be "extra positive" to get back to winning ways just in time for the three-week international break.

"We analysed the game and we showed it to the players, we discussed it with the players, and they are, of course, very self-aware about the things that happened," he added.

"It was not just out of possession we didn't play our best game, but in possession was, I think, the worst game we played.

"We didn't push the opponent in decision-making and defensively then it's easy to defend and that's not how we want to play."

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Hibernian striker Owen Elding has been called up to Republic of Ireland's senior squad for the first time for Nations League matches against Kosovo, Israel and Austria.

The 20-year-old is eligible for England through birth and the Republic through residency, having lived in the country from the age of six.

His intention to switch allegiance was revealed in 2025, but the 2026 Irish fuel protests meant a mandatory ceremony to receive his Irish passport was cancelled.

Although Elding was ineligible to play, national head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson nevertheless brought him in to train with the squad as they prepared for May friendlies against Qatar and Canada.

Elding has impressed since signing for Hibs from Sligo Rovers in January, scoring six goals in 22 appearances for the Scottish Premiership club, including three in nine outings this season.

Now he could be in line for his first cap as the Republic visit Kosovo on 24 September and face Israel three days later in Group B4 before hosting Austria on 1 October then Israel on 4 October.

Elding's clubmate, Jamie McGrath, has also been included in the squad and the 29-year-old midfielder will be hopeful of earning a 16th cap.

Hearts utility man Oisin McEntee misses out through injury, but Celtic centre-half Liam Scales is included.

We asked if Hibs were right to axe David Gray - and who should replace him in the hotseat.

Here are some of your comments:

Claire: Very sad day for Hibs. It's about time the players took some responsibility.

Dylan: 1. Simo Valakari is top option from here. 2. Gary Caldwell. 3. Would also look at Marvin Bartley. What he has done with limits at Stenny this season, he could excel at Hibs.

Scott: Gray will forever be a legend for Hibs and we all love him for what he has done for the club. None of it will be forgotten but I'm afraid the time had come, performances this season just haven't been good enough with the squad we have. I would take a chance and go for Valakari at St Johnstone, he has done a good job with them and seems to have an eye for a player, but please board get it right.

Tom: It is so sad to see DG go but it had to happen as he wasn't getting the best out of the playing group who also have a lot to answer for. David was a Hibee through and through but we need a winning mentality and this was not happening. Get Neil Lennon back as he is a leader who will make tough calls to get some steel into the side.

Alex: John McGlynn. If he would take it due to his Tynecastle connections. Excellent coach, especially with young players.

David: Sir David will and should always be welcome at Easter Road. Genuine hero for ending 114 years of hurt. Please no Hibs connected players as next manager. An organiser and passionate high-tempo football required.

Mark: Bring back Neil Lennon, a known winner and maybe he can turn this underperforming Hibs team into the same winners. Just please do not go down the merry-go-round of Scottish managers.

Brian: It's the right decision if not just by the results but more importantly the performances. Although we wanted this outcome it is still a sad day. He will always be Sir David Gray the legend and a good man who gave his all as our manager.

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Cillian Sheridan points out that David Gray was close to building on his legendary status with Hibernian only for the club hierarchy to end his reign as head coach over fears the atmosphere in the stands would "become toxic".

And the former Celtic striker thinks Gray will "probably look over it as a relatively successful time at Hibs" despite Wednesday's sacking.

The former Hibs captain exited after Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat by bottom-placed Kilmarnock and Sheridan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "Maybe the club didn't want them to get to the stage of where things became toxic.

"They were so close to qualifying for Europe for the club's first time, which would have been another thing on his Hibs CV.

"But you could just see from the game the other day, the highlights from the Kilmarnock game, the intensity of the booing and jeering that was coming from the crowd any time Kilmarnock had any sort of a chance or Hibs missed or messed up.

"I just think his problem, and ultimately Hibs's problem, was when they're bad, they've been awful. Like they don't really know what they're doing on the pitch.

"That's probably been one of the stories of his whole Hibs management career. When he got them playing and they're all following his instructions and doing what he wanted, They were good. They were a good team.

"We saw that even this season they could go and beat Rangers away. Like you're saying, the cup win there against Ross County was a big result given how wrong that could have went.

"I feel like David Gray was stability. You never really felt like Hibs were going to fall into a relegation battle under him."

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Hibs' dismissal of club legend David Gray was "the right call", admits former Easter Road forward Tam McManus.

Speaking in a video on X, external, McManus said: "First and foremost I have great sympathy for David. I think overall he has done a fantastic job at Hibernian.

"He came in when Nick Montgomery left, Hibs were in a bit of a mess and he steadied the ship, finished third. And then he led Hibs into Europe again last season, back-to-back European campaigns, got them to Hampden [this season's League Cup semi-final].

"So overall he's done a very good job and I think he'll go with a lot of supporters' best wishes.

"But that doesn't mean it wasn't the right call - I think the timing was right for a change of manager.

"I'm looking at the performances not only this season but the tail-end of last season. Like a lot of Hibs supporters, I didn't really see the progression in this team and any signs they were going to get better any time soon.

"The straw that broke the camel's back was last night. From start to finish against a Kilmarnock team that has been really struggling, Hibs were dreadful.

"You could hear the fans at the end and when you hear that kind of anger at the end of a Hibs game, you know it's probably the end for the manager, so it is no surprise David has lost his job."

Hibs lose 1-0 at home to struggling Kilmarnock for a third straight Scottish Premiership defeat, leading to the sacking of head coach David Gray. (Available to UK users only)

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In ending David Gray's two-year tenure as head coach, and 12 years of service at the club, Hibs chairman Ian Gordon said: "Firstly, I would like to thank Dave for everything he has done for the football club, as a player, coach and most recently head coach.

"Dave has been an inspirational figure at the club during his time here, and he has been a true friend and fantastic colleague to so many at the football club.

"On behalf of my family, I would like to personally thank him for everything he has done for us since we joined the club.

"As a person, he constantly set the standard with his attitude, professionalism and general work ethic and he will be sorely missed around the building by all the players and staff at the football club.

"On the pitch, he has delivered some incredible moments for our fans, and brought a level of stability and consistency that we haven't reached in recent years.

"Ultimately, this is a decision that we have not taken lightly, but unfortunately, one as a board we had to make due to the recent downturn of results and performances.

"We wish Dave, Liam Craig and Craig Samson all the best for the future and thank them for their commitment and effort during their time with the club. They will always be welcome back to Easter Road."

Hibs have sacked head coach David Gray following Tuesday night's home defeat by bottom club Kilmarnock.

It was a third successive league defeat and sixth in a row at home for the Easter Road club.

"Ultimately, this is a decision that we have not taken lightly, but unfortunately, one as a board we had to make due to the recent downturn of results and performances," said executive chairman Ian Gordon.

Was Gray's dismissal inevitable amid a poor run - or could he have turned things around? And now he's gone, who should replace him?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The lack of consistency from Hibs is alarming, but not a surprise. It has been part of the DNA at the club for a number of years.

Tuesday night's home defeat by Kilmarnock - Hibs' third successive league loss and sixth in a row at home in the Premiership - came after one of the poorest performances at Easter Road I can remember in recent years.

The statistics show Hibs dominated possession and had more shots on goal than Kilmarnock, but they rarely troubled Max Stryjek in the visitors' goal. That is worrying.

We all know the buck tends to stop with the manager and, speaking after the defeat, David Gray accepted that much of the criticism coming his way was deserved.

But the players must also shoulder some responsibility. Many of those brought in over the past couple of transfer windows have failed to perform at the required standard on a consistent basis.

Gray has been in charge for more than two years and can be proud of his record in guiding the club into European football in successive seasons.

He has faced adversity during his time at Easter Road and knows full well what the consequences could be if this current run of form continues.

Ultimately, winning games is the only way the noise surrounding Gray and his team will die down.

On Saturday, anything other than victory at home to Aberdeen could prove the final straw for supporters and possibly the board.

For Gray, the next few weeks - perhaps even the next few days - are among the most important of his managerial career.