Hibernian

Image source, SNS

• All four of Ante Suto's Scottish Premiership goals for Hibernian have come as a substitute, the joint-most goals from the bench of any player in the competition this season (Marko Lazetic also four).

• Hibernian have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three league games, last doing so four times in a row in the Scottish Premiership in March 2022 under Shaun Maloney - a run that was ended by a 3-1 defeat at Aberdeen.

• No side has lost more games in the Scottish Premiership this season than Aberdeen (18, level with Livingston), while it's their most league defeats in a single campaign since 2010-11 (22).

• Hibernian have won three of their last five league visits to Aberdeen (D1 L1), and are looking to win there successively for the first time since September 2004.

• Aberdeen have lost both of their two previous league meetings with Hibernian this season, but haven't lost three in a row against Hibs since December 2004, and last did so within a single league campaign in 2002-03.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

A 3-0 win on Saturday, coupled with Motherwell's defeat by Falkirk, has reopened the door for Hibs to chase down a fourth-place finish that looked out of reach just a couple of weeks ago.

Owen Elding scored Hibs' first goal in just 13 seconds, but if the speed at which Hibs got on the scoresheet was impressive, it was overshadowed by the youngster's performance.

Elding looks like a fantastic talent; he's just turned 20 and has benefited from playing men's football in Ireland from a young age.

He didn't look out of place at all facing the physical demands of a Scottish Premiership game and his style of play drew some loose comparisons with Wayne Rooney - nobody is saying he's at the level Rooney was at when he was 20, but Elding's style and natural ability to know where to be and what the next play is shows a footballing maturity well beyond his years.

Having lost Keiron Bowie for £7.5m in the January window, David Gray needed his recruitment team to plug the gap with an adequate replacement, and it looks like they did just that.

Along with Elding, the goal-scoring form of Ante Suto off the bench has given Gray an attacking threat in Bowie's absence.

The game itself on Saturday showed Gray's learning on the job.

When Killie last visited Easter Road, Hibs started with some of the best football we'd played in ages to take a two-goal lead, before a lapse in concentration let Killie back into the game, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

There were a lot of grumbles from the Hibs support as the game was, in all honesty, pretty brutal once Hibs went two up.

The third goal helped lift some of the ire, but wins like this do little to win over Gray's doubters.

I prefer to give him credit for ensuring the points stayed in Leith, this was progression, even if it wasn't pretty, and Gray extended an impressive home record in the process.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Celtic's interest in Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa has moved beyond early scouting, with discussions between the clubs about the 21-year-old taking place both in January and more recently. (Celts Are Here), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Raphael Sallinger (Hibernian)

Almost seems to get in by default at the moment because of another weekend lacking any outstanding goalkeeping performances. A couple of saves and a clean sheets means the Austrian gets the gloves again.

RB: Dujon Sterling (Rangers)

A solid performer at Ibrox and nabbed a goal in the vital 4-2 win over Dundee United.

CB: Luke Graham (Dundee)

A colossus at the back for the Dark Blues all afternoon. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.

CB: Alex Gogic (St Mirren)

Seldom a weekend goes by when this team of the week favourite doesn't find his way into the starting XI. His brilliant headed goal against Aberdeen and a clean sheet earns him another call-up.

LB: Jordan Obita (Hibernian)

Set up the goal for Felix Passlack after Owen Elding's pass unlocked the Kilmarnock defence. An effective presence down the Hibs left.

CM: Felix Passlack (Hibernian)

Another big goal for the former Borussia Dortmund man. The German has a knack for arriving in the box at just the right time.

CM: Stevie May (Livingston)

Once upon a time had the flowing locks and the killer touch of a goal machine number nine in his glorious St Johnstone era. These days he has refashioned himself into one of Livingston's most versatile players.

Age and injuries take their toll on all players but his precision finish and general clever play were fundamental for Livingston in their draw with Hearts.

FW: Owen Elding (Hibernian)

What a prospect he looks for Hibs. The 20-year-old who arrived from Sligo Rovers opened the scoring after 13 seconds against Kilmarnock and his pass to unlock the Killie defence for the Passlack goal was a measured thing of beauty.

FW: Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)

Powered in his headed goal and looked the part all afternoon against Livingston. Full of invention, poise and confidence. But, crucially, it's his killer instinct in the box that counts most.

With the national team struggling for goals, will he be Scotland's go-to man for the World Cup opener against Haiti?

FW: Claudio Braga (Hearts)

Player of the season? A joy to watch, every part of his game looks great right now. Never a doubt the goal would be scored when the chance came his way.

Could the partnership with Shankland be the key ingredient that gets the Hearts title tilt over the line? Earns extra points for me for his desire to stay on his feet in the box rather than look for a penalty.

FW: Calvin Miller (Falkirk)

A contender for the Scotland squad? The national team could do with a creative winger with pace and Calvin Miller has been providing that all season in the Premiership for Falkirk.

The stats add up as well, seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

Watch all the highlights as Hibs score three past Kilmarnock.

We asked for your views on Hibernian's 3-0 win against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Kenny: Much better. A lot of good football played and we never looked like we were ever in trouble. We now should be full of confidence going into the Motherwell game next week and if we can pick up a result we will have a great chance of a fourth-place finish. We looked good.

George: Great result. Very good first 30 minutes. However, we faded after that and, up to our third goal in the 94th minute we looked flat. Ante Suto, while knocking in goals, doesn't look like he can lead the line.

Defence looked solid with Grant Hanley back in there. We missed Jamie McGrath and Daniel Barlaser when they went off. Overall a satisfactory result. Now, we need to push on though.

Sandy: We've got a star on the rise in Owen Elding. Man of the match in an excellent clean-sheet display.

Willie: First 20 minutes, Hibs were great then lost their way a bit and let Killie come back into the game, thought the defence marshalled by Hanley were excellent, three points and goal difference helped.

John L: Another Jekyll and Hyde performance, 25 minutes of terrific football then for some reason we allow Kilmarnock to dominate the second half.

John M: A pretty comprehensive win and what an excellent start, two goals in the first twelve minutes. When did that last happen? January's players having a great impact. Hibs will have quite a say where the championship ends up.

Image source, SNS

Owen Elding's goal after just 13 seconds helped Hibernian ease to victory over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership and strengthen their push for European football.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "That's the dream start for any coach, you want to start as well as you can. We wanted to get the crowd behind us immediately.

"In the first 20 minutes we found ourselves 2-0 up, deservedly so, then Kilmarnock came into the game. From then, Killie got momentum off the back of [their disallowed goal].

"The second half I'd like us to be better. We gave them a bit of confidence, but it's hard to win games of football and we restricted them to very little.

"We know we can play better. We can't be inconsistent. I'm certainly pleased that we've won 3-0 at home, clean sheet.

"When it's only 2-0, you think it's okay but if the opposition get the next goal, it massively changes. We've been in this position before. So it's pleasing that players did everything I asked them to do.

"You can pride yourself on the clean sheet and defensively we were very strong. Grant has just come back in, Jordan Obita hasn't played for a bit. So we were a wee but tired but there's a lot to build on.

"At this stage of the season, it's all about results and making sure that we control what we do."

Image source, SNS

Hibernian hope to have Rocky Bushiri involved after a delayed return from qualifying for the World Cup with DR Congo in Mexico.

Felix Passlack, Miguel Chaiwa and Owen Elding have shaken off knocks, but Rudi Molotnikov and Josh Mulligan (both ankle) are unavailable.

Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann has no new injury concerns. Tyreece John-Jules (quad), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

Image source, SNS

Hibs head coach David Gray was delighted to see defender Rocky Bushiri seal his place at the World Cup - even if his personal congratulations have been delayed.

The centre-back was part of the DR Congo squad that ended a 52-year wait to return to the big stage when they beat Jamaica in a play-off on Tuesday.

The nation was called Zaire the last time they took part and their highlight was keeping an opening defeat to Scotland down to 2-0.

The authorities declared a last-minute public holiday on Wednesday and Gray was still awaiting Bushiri's return as he previewed Saturday's Premiership visit of Kilmarnock.

Gray told Hibs TV: "We're obviously delighted for Rocky, qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, which is brilliant news.

"His return has been a wee bit delayed, but we'll hopefully get him back in time.

"It is a really special moment for Rocky. I think any young player dreams of playing at a World Cup. It's something everyone aspires to.

"For these players, they've now got the opportunity to do it, which is brilliant. He fully deserves it for his performances and I wish him all the best when he goes."

Hibs have seen consecutive draws against Dundee, Livingston and Motherwell ensure they will need favours to overhaul a six-point deficit on the Steelmen in the race for a top-four spot and guaranteed European qualification.

But much can change in the table in the final seven matches and Gray knows victory over Killie can give them a good platform.

"We've now put ourselves in a position where all we can do is take care of our own business," he said.

"We need to make sure that, given the opportunity, we capitalise on that. That starts with trying to get three points.

"Every game is huge and it's well within us to put a run together. We know we can do it, but the focus is only on the next match. The mindset is to take care of our job, get three points, and then assess it from there."

Image source, SNS

• Hibernian have only lost one of their past 16 Scottish Premiership games against Kilmarnock (W9 D6) and are unbeaten in nine (W4 D5) since a 1-0 loss in November 2022.

• Kilmarnock have won their past two league games and could win three in a row for the first time since May 2025. However, Killie remain winless in 12 away league outings (D4 L8).

• Hibs are on a run of three successive draws, with their past two ending 0-0. The last side to play out three consecutive goalless draws in the Premiership were Hibs themselves in March 2022.

• Kilmarnock are winless in 12 Premiership trips to Easter Road (D4 L8) since winning 1-0 in May 2014.

• Only Dundee (17.3) have a higher PPDA (opposition passes allowed per defensive action) than both Hibs (14.0) and Kilmarnock (13.6) in the top flight this season.

Image source, SNS

Randers manager Rasmus Bertelsen does not expect the Danish side to exercise their buy option for on-loan Hibernian striker Thibault Klidje. (Hibs Observer - subscription required), external

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

With three draws from three heading into the international break, it's fair to say David Gray and his backroom staff have been searching for a spark to reignite momentum at Hibs.

Across those fixtures Hibs have mustered 41 attempts on goal but found the net just three times - all of those goals came in the first of those matches away to Dundee.

Since then, back-to-back goalless draws against Livingston at Easter Road and Motherwell on their own patch have stalled progress leaving the gap to the Fir Park side at six points.

With seven matches remaining before the curtain falls on the campaign, hopes of securing European football next season are delicately poised. Still within reach, but offering little margin for error.

Attention will soon turn to a testing trip north to face Aberdeen before the drama of the post-split fixtures brings its usual intensity. But first the immediate focus is on the visit of Kilmarnock to Easter Road.

The Ayrshire side arrive in improved form, having claimed victories over league leaders Hearts and the division's bottom side Livingston.

Despite that resurgence, they remain in the relegation play-off spot, level on points with St Mirren, and will take confidence from their previous visit to Leith where they left with a point back in August.

For Hibs, much may depend on the condition of those returning from international duty. If they come back fit and ready, there remains every chance that what has been a frustrating spell could yet give way to a strong and meaningful finish to the season.

Hibernian are in talks with Dan Barlaser, 29, over making his loan move from Middlesbrough a longer-term arrangement. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Hibs held their annual general last Thursday night and while there were no real signs of imminent investment, Ian Gordon certainly didn't close the door on it either.

When asked about the interest from Danish billionaire, Anders Holch Povlsen, Gordon stressed Hibs had lots of interest and that talks were ongoing – I found his choice of words interesting given there was the opportunity to close the rumour altogether.

Gordon was as impressive as I've seen him in these situations at the AGM, he was on the front foot to explain why the relationship with Black Knight FC was ended (Hibs "will never be a feeder team to anyone") and while he acknowledged that interest from potential investors, he made sure it was clear any investment would be on Hibs' terms and stressed external investment wasn't required for Hibs to achieve their own ambitions.

It's clear the Gordon family are invested in Hibs in every sense of the word, they have put their money where their mouth is time and again and while they'll ultimately hope to recoup that and more when the time comes to sell the club, it's unfair to conclude the spend is purely financially motivated. They love the club and from a fans' perspective, it gives me a huge amount of reassurance that we have owners who approach decisions from a Hibs-first standpoint and if and when it's right to spend money, they'll do so.

On the football side, I was most excited to hear of Hibs' building our own in-house data software to support the recruitment, as well as the decision to take over the Scottish FA's performance school at Broughton High, which will come under Hibs' stewardship when the SFA withdraw.

There are lots of things to be positive about at Easter Road, the AGM was a timely reminder that the club's in good hands.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Hearts winning the Scottish Premiership would have no impact on Hibernian's "business side", says Easter Road chief executive Dan Barnett. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Barnett expects Hibs' finances to look healthier in 12 months' time after a recent loss nearing £6m. (Edinburgh Evening news - subscription required), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Hibernian chief executive Dan Barnett says the club's majority owners, the Gordon family, remain open to external investment but insist there is no urgency to secure a deal.

Last year the Gordons bought back a 25% stake in the club previously purchased for £6m by Black Knights consortium, led by Bournemouth owner Bill Foley.

Barnett confirmed chairman Ian Gordon has held discussions with potential investors, although no agreement is imminent and talks remain confidential.

"The family receives a lot of interest regarding a minority stake," Barnett said.

"There is no rush to do anything, and there is no requirement for us to act in order to deliver our long-term strategy.

"However, if the right opportunity arises - one that strengthens the club and helps us progress - then we would always be open to it."

Barnett added that the previous multi-club ownership model involving the Black Knights may not be replicated in any future deal.

Recent developments in European football have heightened scrutiny around such models.

Crystal Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League by Uefa over shared ownership links with Lyon through chairman John Textor.

Barnett acknowledged that Hibernian would be mindful of similar risks.

"The multi-club ownership model is clearly a sensitive issue with Uefa at the moment," he said.

"That would be a key consideration for us. The last thing we want is to jeopardise our ability to compete in European competitions, which is central to our ambitions.

"We would want someone who can bring fresh ideas, provide constructive challenge and help drive the club forward, whether commercially or in growing the Hibs brand."