Hibernian

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Hibs head coach David Gray: "It's been a long time coming. That's twice we've been here [this season] and not lost.

"It shows we are capable if we go toe-to-toe, but it takes a level of performance, that requires every man to be at their very best.

"It's all about us. How can we keep improving? It's a massive three points today on the back of a positive result last week against St Mirren.

"That's us five points behind Motherwell, still to play them twice and all the teams round about us.

"It's all to play for between now and the end of the season and we'll be aiming to push up the table as hard as we can. All you can do is take one game at a time."

Ten-man Celtic suffered a damaging blow to their Scottish Premiership title hopes as Kai Andrews' late winner secured Hibernian a first victory at Parkhead since 2010 on a potentially pivotal day in an incredible season.

Have your say on the game here.

Read our match report here.

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New Hibernian forward Ante Suto, who qualifies for Croatia and Australia, says there has been "early contact" from the latter nation. (Daily Record), external

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Celtic are missing Arne Engels (leg), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) but welcome back several players who are not in their European squad.

Hibernian defender Munashe Garananga returns after an ankle issue and Joe Newell is also back in contention, but Josh Mulligan (ankle), Jordan Obita, Grant Hanley (both hamstring) and Chris Cadden are all still out.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's game against Celtic.

Here are the main points:

• Gray hailed the contribution of senior players like Joe Newell and Warren O'Hora for helping January signings to settle in. "There's a core of players who make it easier for others to settle," he said. "Especially younger ones who want to come and hit the ground running. It can be difficult coming to a new environment and a new culture. I'm delighted with that."

• After bringing in new faces, the head coach was delighted to have a week without a midweek fixture so he could help people bed into his ideas. "It's been a really good week, having a full week to work with the players," Gray said. "They're still trying to get used to how we want to play and even within games there's improvements to come."

• Celtic are unbeaten in their last 23 home games against Hibs in all competitions and Gray says that underlines how tough a game is in wait. "It'll be a very big challenge as it always is," he said. "History tells you that. It's been a very long time since a Hibs team [has won there].

• He said Celtic's recent later match-winning goals showed concentration is needed but also said: "The big thing is that you need to have the belief and confidence that you can go there and get a result. If you don't have that, you're wasting your time getting on the bus and going along."

• After defeating St Mirren 2-0 last week, Hibs are "in the best frame of mind after a real positive result and performance" and the message is "making sure we have the right mentality and attitude, with the belief and desire to go and change history in a positive way."

• On the injury front, Gray said Joe Newell is back "on the grass" as he works his way back , and Chris Cadden and Grant Hanley are "not too far away".

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• Celtic are unbeaten in their last 23 home games against Hibernian in all competitions (W18 D5) since a 1-2 league reverse in January 2010. It's their longest unbeaten home run over Hibs since going 25 without defeat from September 1903 to August 1925.

• Hibernian have lost eight of their last 10 meetings with Celtic across all competitions (W1 D1), most recently a 2-1 loss in November.

• Hibernian have lost both of their last two away league outings, last losing more in a row in January 2023 (run of six).

• Celtic have scored five 90th-minute (or later) winning goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, including one in both of their last two league games. Since the competition rebrand in 2013, this is the joint-most by any side in a single Scottish Premiership campaign (Rangers also five in 2016-17).

• No player has scored more goals in the Scottish Premiership this season than Benjamin Nygren (13, level with Tawanda Maswanhise). It's the most by any player in their debut league campaign for Celtic since Giorgos Giakoumakis in 2021-22 (also 13), while the last to net more for the club in their first season were both Moussa Dembélé (17) and Scott Sinclair (21) in 2016-17.

Head coach David Gray believes "versatility" can help Hibernian as they travel to face Celtic Park on Sunday. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

There was a huge sense of relief around Easter Road on Saturday when the full-time whistle finally sounded and three precious points were secured.

In front of a home support still bruised by the late derby defeat to Hearts in midweek, the response was exactly what was required. The two goals arrived at the perfect moments, settling nerves in the stands and on the pitch, and ensuring there would be no lingering hangover from Tynecastle.

With a top-six spot now all but secured in the Scottish Premiership, attention turns to what more can be achieved. The five-point gap to Motherwell is far from insurmountable, and with European football firmly in the club's sights, there is genuine incentive to push hard between now and the split.

Work behind the scenes is already under way, with recruitment plans being shaped for the summer window. That allows David Gray and his staff to focus squarely on results - and on ensuring this campaign is remembered as a progressive one.

One of the brightest positives from the weekend was the emergence of teenager Owen Elding. The 19-year-old marked his first start with his first goal for the club, but it was his tireless work rate and willingness to press that really caught the eye. There is a maturity to his play that suggests this breakthrough may be the first of many meaningful contributions.

Elding was not alone in impressing. Jamie McGrath, recently back from injury and illness, looks capable of providing the creative spark required for the run-in. His composure in possession and ability to operate between the lines add a different dimension to Hibs' attacking play.

With the Republic of Ireland national team chasing World Cup qualification and a demanding trip to the Czech Republic on the horizon, McGrath has added motivation. Strong performances in high-profile fixtures can often nudge an international manager's thinking.

Next up is the ultimate domestic test - a trip to Celtic. Points are never easily earned in Glasgow's east end, but it is precisely these occasions that define seasons. A positive result would not only boost top-four ambitions but inject belief ahead of what, on paper, looks a favourable run of fixtures before the Premiership split.

Relief has given way to renewed optimism at Easter Road. Now comes the challenge of turning promise into tangible reward.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Hibs got the derby defeat out the system with a routine win over a St Mirren side that were as poor as I can remember seeing at Easter Road.

That is a huge compliment to Hibs, though, as the players were at it from the first whistle and you could see they were playing with a point to prove.

As disappointing as the derby was, it was a re-run of virtually every derby at Tynecastle for the last twenty odd years, if not longer. A game where football rarely threatened to break out, settled by the odd goal – we've seen a few go our way there in recent times and on Tuesday it was Hearts' turn.

It was a much better affair on Saturday at Easter Road.

Hibs' young striker pairing of Owen Elding and Dane Scarlett showed what they can add to the team, while Jamie McGrath and Dan Barlaser lit up the midfield.

Hibs have a knack of making some wins look fairly routine and it's probably unfair on the players that so many fans left Easter Road happy but not blown away by a professional performance.

I'm not sure I agree with that view though. I thought we were very good and I really enjoyed the match.

Despite losing Keiron Bowie in the January window, I really liked the look of Scarlett and Elding, and with Suto coming off the bench to score his second goal for the club since joining on deadline day, Hibs might well have upgraded the strike force, and watching them develop together over the coming weeks will be interesting.

We could have done with Aberdeen taking something from Motherwell to keep the slim chance of fourth alive, but we still have to play the Steelmen twice so if (and it's a big "if") we can put the sort of run together as we did last season, there's an outside chance of catching them.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Two Celtic stars, duos from Dundee and Dundee United, and a pair from Motherwell. It's time for Jonathan Sutherland's team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers. Sallinger gets the nod for a couple of stops and a clean sheet. An overall impressive addition at Easter Road.

Julian Araujo - Celtic

What a big goal. Ended up in hospitality with his celebration, but it was a big moment.

Stephen Welsh - Motherwell

Outstanding again after his goalscoring heroics midweek. An assist for Just as well. Not sure what Celtic don't see in him.

Ross Graham - Dundee United

Goal and a doughty warrior at the back. His four touches in the opposition box was only bettered by teammate Kristijan Trapanovski, while he made more clearances than any other player.

Cameron Congreve - Dundee

A continuous threat down the right for the Dark Blues. What a good loan signing he has been by Steven Pressley. Took eight shots and created three chances.

Craig Sibbald - Dundee United

Pulled the strings in midfield and scored a vital goal. Set up four chances, the most of any United player, and won more duels than any of his teammates.

Elijah Just - Motherwell

For me, Elijah Just has to be in with a shout of player of the season. The New Zealand international has been consistently excellent, showing guile, creativity and goalscoring ability. On the scoresheet again this weekend, against Aberdeen. Ghosts around the pitch with elegance, class and endeavour.

Sebastian Tounekti - Celtic

Loves Rugby Park. Great on his debut there, scored there against Auchinleck Talbot and sparked Celtic's comeback on Sunday with a goal of the season contender.

Simon Murray - Dundee

Murray in a hurry at Dens Park. After a barren spell, the Dundee captain looked pumped for action with his quick fire double.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Michael Stewart told me on Sportscene he doesn't think Chermiti has the potential to be a top striker. But he has scored six of his seven goals this season against Celtic and Hearts, including his hat-trick yesterday on what was a huge occasion.

The challenge for the 21-year-old is to start delivering this sort of performance more consistently against the other sides in the Premiership.

Tyreece John-Jules - Kilmarnock

The former Arsenal youth - and nephew of Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules - was a force of nature for Kilmarnock against Celtic, following on from his midweek hat-trick.

Scored a great goal, clipped the crossbar from a free-kick and just generally showed star potential. Such a shame he limped off with what looked like a thigh muscle strain.

Hibernian score in each half to defeat St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership (UK users only).

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Owen Elding's patience was rewarded as he scored his first Hibernian goal in Saturday's 2-0 Scottish Premiership win over St Mirren.

Forward Elding, 19, joined from Sligo Rovers in January, having scored 12 goals during the 2025 League of Ireland season.

He made his Hibs debut in the recent 0-0 draw with Rangers before starting for the first time against the Buddies.

"Yeah, I'm delighted," Elding told BBC Scotland. "Obviously, there's no better feeling than hitting the back of the net and to do it at my first start at home game, there's nothing more special.

"We needed to break the deadlock. We had to try and get them out of their shape to get in front and just to be calm through the game."

Elding revealed he found out he was starting '"literally just before everyone arrived".

"I've had to be patient," he added. "Obviously, the Irish season runs differently. It ended in November, so I haven't played a competitive game since then. So, yeah, it's good to get a start and be back out there on the pitch.

"I'm enjoying it. Really high tempo in training. I want to keep playing first team football. That's my main goal."

We sought your views following Hibernian's 2-0 win over St Mirren...

James: Hibs were by far the better team. Poor final ball kept the score down. Robinson said there wasn't a lot between the two teams in the first half but he's kidding himself… Hibs were dominant!

Pat: Great response following a disappointing outcome at Tuesday's derby. From the outset this was the poorest team from Paisley I have seen in a number of years and lacked structure. On top of this, was a very focused and good performance from Hibs, all in all the result was inevitable. Excellent header from young Owen to open the scoring but no-one could have argued if Hibs were two or three up at that point. Only issue, slight issue was Sallinger looked less than comfortable at times but credit as when required he made top notch saves.

G: A very subdued game. Important three points and good to see McGrath back. Good to see new signings scoring!

Neil: Very accomplished performance from Hibs but only gripe is still need to be more ruthless when on top.

John: Excellent performances from Barlaser, McGrath and Passlack. Last season's back three settled the defence. Still not enough spark up front for me and I'm sure there will be changes next season.

Danny: Good solid, if expected, win. New signings slotting in well. And Dundee Utd did us a favour by keeping Falkirk off our backs! All in all, a good day.

Owen Elding scored his first Hibernian goal and fellow recent arrival Ante Suto also netted as the Easter Road side responded to their Edinburgh derby defeat with a comfortable Scottish Premiership win over St Mirren.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "You're always looking for that reaction. Full credit to the players for their attitude and the way they approached the game.

"We moved the ball, created real opportunities, real patterns of play, and scored our goals at good times. For how dominant we were in the first half, it was important we got that goal.

"All in all, a really good performance, a clean sheet at home and something to really build on.

"On a personal note, delighted for Owen. It's exactly what you're looking for. What we saw from him is what we could expect - that energy, the quality, and he'll come on from that experience. He can be happy with his day's work.

"There was a lot of good performances and a lot of control in the game. St Mirren are a good side and they can really hurt you, but we showed real composure."

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Hibs defender Munashe Garananga is set to miss out and Josh Mulligan (ankle), Jordan Obita and Grant Hanley (both hamstring) and Chris Cadden are all still absent.

St Mirren forward Jake Young is back from suspension but Malik Dijksteel is set to miss the rest of the season with a groin injury.

Mark O'Hara is back in full training but is likely to just miss out while Keanu Baccus is a bit further behind and Jonah Ayunga suffered a calf problem on his return to full training.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibernian boss David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's visit of St Mirren.

Here are the main points:

• Defender Munashe Garananga will miss the game with an ankle injury and Josh Mulligan, who has been absent for the past four matches, is likely to be sidelined until the end of March. Grant Hanley is still out but Jamie McGrath and Warren O'Hora are available.

• On Mulligan, Gray says: "Josh will be ready when he's ready. He'll be doing everything he can to stay healthy for the rest of the season when he does come back."

• Gray says the "disappointment" of the late derby defeat to Hearts is "clearly there because of the manner, the opposition, the timing" but Hibs can't afford to "sulk" and feel sorry for themselves.

• He says the good thing about football is it "gives you an opportunity to put it right right away" and is urging his side to "take confidence from our really strong home form".

• On Hibs' lack of consistency this season, Gray says "the level of performance hasn't always got what we deserved" and insists "we're trying to get that momentum going and I think if we can get that it will start to turn".

• He adds: "But we're still in a really strong position with an opportunity to have a successful end to the season. And that's something that we need to really focus on and build moving forward."

• The Hibs head coach knows "St Mirren are always difficult to play against" and will present a "strong, physical challenge".

• Hibs are 11 points clear of Aberdeen in seventh, having played two games more, but Gray doesn't think their spot in the top six is secured, stressing: "There's a lot of points still to play for [before the split] and we're in a much stronger position than we were last year but we're not thinking about top six, we're fully focused on trying to catch [fourth-place] Motherwell."

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Former Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee United midfielder Fraser Fyvie has announced his retirement at the age of 32.

Fyvie, a Scottish Cup winner with Hibs and FA Cup winner with Wigan Athletic, has been at Cove Rangers since 2019 and has League 2 and League 1 title medals in his time at the club.

However, he has decided to draw a line under his professional career after long spells in the treatment room.

Cove said "the cumulative impact of these injuries has made recovery after matches increasingly challenging".

Fyvie told the club's YouTube channel: "I've been mulling it over for the last six months due to getting injured again and doing my right knee.

"It's not something that's come as a quick decision, I've taken some time to think about it.

"I want to be able to walk off the pitch with my head held high and say I've given everything to this game - rather than being stretchered off and forced to stop."

The ex-Scotland Under-21 cap began his career at Aberdeen before making the move to Wigan in 2012, helping the Latics to FA Cup success in his debut season.

He returned north to join Hibs in 2015 and played in the 2016 Scottish Cup final triumph over Rangers, winning the Championship with the Easter Road side a year later.

He then spent two years as a Dundee United player before joining Cove.

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• St Mirren have scored 21 goals from 314 shots in the Scottish Premiership this season, a ratio of 6.7% - the lowest of any side. Hibs, meanwhile, have an 11.8% ratio (41 goals from 346 shots), second only to league leaders Hearts (13.1%).

• St Mirren are winless in nine Premiership away games (D2 L7), last going 10 without victory on the road in the top flight in September 2014, and last doing so within a single season in April 2012.

• Hibs have lost just two of their past 25 home league games (W15 D8), with those coming to Rangers (1-0 in October 2025) and Celtic (2-1 in November 2025). Against non-Old Firm clubs, Hibs remain unbeaten in 19 home league matches (W14 D5), with the last such side to beat them being St Mirren in November 2024 (2-1).

• St Mirren are unbeaten in four league visits to Easter Road (W3 D1) since a 2-1 defeat in May 2023.

• Hibs are unbeaten in four league meetings with St Mirren (W1 D3), after having lost four of their previous five beforehand (D1).

Hibernian are exactly bang on course to reach the points total needed, more or less, to finish fourth in the Scottish Premiership based on data for the last 10 seasons. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

For 88 minutes on Tuesday night, Edinburgh's two leading clubs were inseparable.

Then, as David Gray admitted, a single lapse in concentration unravelled all the organisation and industry from Hibs that had gone before.

Any defeat is hard to take. Losing an Edinburgh derby, however, lingers longer.

Perspective is essential. One setback - even against Hearts - cannot be allowed to distort the bigger picture or derail the season's primary objectives.

A top-four finish remains attainable. With 12 league fixtures still to navigate, there are sufficient points available to keep that ambition alive.

Yet with Motherwell - who are five points ahead with a game in hand - and Falkirk both enjoying impressive seasons, the margin for error is narrowing. Consistency now becomes non-negotiable.

St Mirren's visit to Easter Road on Saturday presents another demanding test.

The schedule offers little respite. Trips to Celtic Park and Dundee loom, and accumulating points away from home will be pivotal if Hibs are to sustain pressure in the race for European qualification.

The intensity and cohesion that characterised this squad 12 months ago have not disappeared. They may simply require a catalyst.

One statement result could quickly restore belief - in the dressing room and in the stands - that this campaign can still yield tangible reward.