Hibernian

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Hibernian head coach David Gray was full of praise for his team after a comfortable Premier Sports Cup victory away to Ross County.

The visitors arrived in Dingwall after successive league defeats to Hearts and St Johnstone, with criticism following both under-par performances.

"I'm delighted for the players, they fully deserved it for what they put in today," Gray told BBC Scotland.

"It was a really difficult situation when you think about the noise before the game and playing against a side that are in my view, in a false position, in terms of the quality they've got."

Hibs were 2-0 up after 14 minutes thanks to a Thibault Klidje header and an Adam Mayor penalty, while Ante Suto completed the scoring before half-time.

"It was about making sure we got off to a strong start, get on the front foot and try to give the opposition a fright, to show why we're a Premiership side," added Gray, who made six starting changes from the loss in Perth.

"The players delivered on that and we got goals at good times."

Hibs join Hearts in the last four but Gray would not be drawn on the possibility of a derby day at Hampden.

"The most important thing was getting in the hat," he said.

"One thing we have demonstrated, if we put everything together, we are very good side and capable of beating anybody on our day."

Hibs now look forward to home league games against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen before the international break, with Gray stressing "the biggest thing is to stick together and keep pushing forward".

Hibernian avoided pressure intensifying on head coach David Gray by clinically dispatching third-tier Ross County to earn a Premier Sports Cup semi-final date at Hampden.

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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibs boss David Gray has been speaking to the media before Saturday's League Cup quarter-final at Ross County (15:00 BST).

Here are the main lines:

• Gray, who is under increasing pressure after three defeats in four, says he understands the "frustration and the noise" from the fans but won't allow it to "distract me in any way".

• The Hibs boss knows it's all about results and says: "Even if I'd won three or four games in a row, I'd still put pressure on myself to be better every day."

• Having "been through adversity before", Gray insists fortunes in football can quickly change.

• Reaching Hampden was "top of the list" of Hibs' objectives at the start of the season and Gray says "form and everything else doesn't matter this weekend", it's solely about winning.

• He regards Ross County as a League One team with a Premiership manager, players and infrastructure, adding: "They've started the season really well, they're used to winning games and they'll be playing with confidence. That adds to the challenge we've got."

• Gray warns Hibs against complacency: "Everybody knows about cup football and the magic of the cup. You need to make sure you are 100% at the top of your game and take absolutely nothing for granted because this is a massive opportunity for us."

• Jordan Obita is out until after the international break but Owen Elding will travel to Dingwall and have his fitness assessed overnight.

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Sporting director Malky Mackay has suggested Hibernian could yet add to their squad if the right fit is available.

The Easter Road club has recruited veteran forwards like Dwight Gayle, Junior Hoilett and Adam Le Fondre in recent years and may be tempted to do so again after a slow start in the Premiership.

"We'll look at the free agent market," Mackay told Hibs TV. "It would need to be a very specific type of player that comes up.

"We'll not be scouring for another three or four players, there's maybe one player we would look at.

"So, a little bit of business still to do as far as that's concerned."

Attacking midfielders Jacob MacIntyre and Rudi Molotnikov, both 20, will join Arbroath on loan until January, while Josh Campbell and Warren O'Hora were late summer departures.

Marko Ivezic and Alex Williams were deadline day recruits, taking the number of arrivals to eight.

Mackay is glad to have retained key trio Owen Elding, Josh Mulligan and Miguel Chaiwa, adding: "There's another two or three we've had enquiries about.

"It's important that we build and we have a structure and strategy," added the former Wigan and Cardiff manager.

"A period will come when we feel it's the right time (for players to be sold).

"We talk consistently to players' representatives in terms of where we see them and a pathway that is suitable for everyone.

"If you do that, you have happy players who want to continue to play for the club.

"I would hope they realise I have their best interests at heart in terms of how they balance their lives with Hibs with what they might see their next step as being – and protecting the club.

"They're all good characters. I'm sure they are going to kick on and become really good players, but they have to keep working at it. They have to keep doing it in a Hibs jersey."

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Saturday's Premier Sports Cup visit to Ross County is a "huge game" for Hibernian head coach David Gray, says former Easter Road favourite Scott Allan.

"There's no other way to look at it from a Hibs perspective," Allan told the BBC Scotland Football Podcast as his old team aim for a semi-final place.

Gray's side have lost ground in the Premiership after back-to-back defeats to Hearts and St Johnstone, while a late collapse at home to Gent cost them a place in the Conference League.

"There's a lot riding on the cups, with Hibs having been disappointing in the last two years," added Allan, who had three separate spells at the club.

County are unbeaten in League One and 38-year-old former Hibs striker Brian Graham has nine goals in all competitions.

"It will be difficult against a team that is winning games, with a striker that is scoring goals," added Allan. "They have a strong squad for a club in League One.

"I think it could be tricky, but I still believe Hibs will have enough to get through the tie.

"There is some real quality in the team. Whether they are getting the best out of them at the moment is another question."

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Hibernian are set to loan out Jacob MacIntyre and Rudi Molotnikov, both 20, to Arbroath. (Daily Record - subscription required, external)

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Who would be a football manager? Just a few weeks ago, Hibernian were moments away from creating history by reaching the league phase of a European competition for the first time.

Leading Gent late on at Easter Road, David Gray's side had one foot in the draw. Yet two goals conceded in the final 10 minutes cruelly ended that dream and left supporters wondering what might have been.

To Hibs' credit, the response was immediate. A commanding victory at Dundee suggested Hibs had quickly overcome European heartbreak and were ready to build domestic momentum.

Football, however, has a habit of changing the narrative in an instant. Back-to-back defeats, at home to city rivals Hearts then away to newly-promoted St Johnstone, have again intensified scrutiny on those in charge at Easter Road. The pressure has quickly returned.

Gray has served as boss for more than two years and his record compares favourably with his predecessors. Of Hibs' past six permanent managers, only Jack Ross boasts a superior win percentage.

More importantly, Gray has delivered European football in successive seasons, evidence he can build a side capable of competing at the upper end of the Premiership.

That context is important. Managers are often judged on the results of the past few weeks rather than the progress made over a longer period. While recent performances have undoubtedly been disappointing, they should not completely overshadow the work Gray has done since taking charge.

The contrast in mood at Tynecastle has only added to the frustration felt by sections of the Easter Road support.

The Hibs board, though, have remained steadfast in their support of Gray, and rightly so. At 38, he remains one of the youngest managers in the Premiership but possesses an intimate understanding of the club's demands and expectations.

Patience is in short supply in modern football, but it can often be the wisest course of action.

The opportunity to spark an upturn arrives in Dingwall this weekend. Beat Ross County and Hibs will secure a League Cup semi-final place at Hampden. Suddenly, a season that threatens to drift into negativity could take on a different complexion.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

The optimism that followed Hibs' win in Dundee has well and truly drained from the support after two subsequent performances that fell well short of expectations.

The first Edinburgh derby of the season is always crucial, helping set the tone for the rest of the campaign.

Win it and you've got momentum to go with the bragging rights; lose it and you are looking for a reaction in your next match.

We've lost to Hearts before and we'll do so again. It was the manner of the defeat this time that stung.

A hapless first half, where Hibs chased shadows, was followed by a second half that started brightly but ended prematurely with a ridiculously self-inflicted red card.

We thought we'd see the players go all out to put it right on Sunday, but instead they delivered a thoroughly inept performance. Comical defending, allied to a blunt attack and an anonymous midfield, made for a horrendous afternoon's viewing.

Gray has struggled to keep fans onside this season. The promising start to the campaign has quickly evaporated with losses to Gent, Hearts and now St Johnstone.

What might have been a noisy minority calling for his dismissal prior to those games now appears to be a hefty majority.

The home end at Easter Road was empty long before full-time on Thursday against Hearts, and when fans start voting with their feet it's usually only a matter of time before the board acts.

I'm not at the point where I'd shout for Gray to be replaced, but performances like the derby and Sunday's, where the team looked completely clueless on and off the ball, make the case to support him very hard to make.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

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Hibernian cannot afford to continue their "sloppy and lethargic" starts, says frustrated midfielder Jamie McGrath.

Last week's sore home defeat from Edinburgh rivals Hearts was followed by a similarly self-destructive loss at St Johnstone on Sunday.

On both occasions Hibs conceded first, with head coach David Gray critical of his side's first-half displays.

"We just can't start games the way we have done, especially the last two games," McGrath told Hibs TV.

"We're giving ourselves a mountain to climb and although the second half was better, we just can't afford to start sloppy and it's something as players we need to look at.

"We've been given the set-up correctly and everything, but it's down to us as players to take responsibility and just stop being so sloppy in our decision-making and being lethargic."

Hibs were also slow out of the blocks in their Conference League play-off second leg at home to Gent.

On that occasion, they recovered from a 1-0 half-time deficit to lead only to throw the game away in the last few minutes.

On the 2-1 defeat at McDiarmird Park, McGrath added: "The positives over the second half were probably a bit better. We got more of a foothold in the game and played the majority of the game in their half, but we probably didn't create as much as we'd want.

"The first goal in this league is important and you can't afford to concede it as it gives teams the chance to sit in.

"I thought they defended well, and they sat in and made it difficult for us. But as front players we have to be better. We had a few half-chances and we need to be better in those positions."

We asked for your views after Josh Fowler scored a double to help St Johnstone defeat Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what some of you said:

Grant: Think the time is sadly up for David Gray. Been hoping for things to pick up but that performance lacked any identity of what the team wanted to do from start to finish.

Darren: Sadly this goes much deeper than just sacking the manager. The club from top to bottom is a mess. You only need to look at some of our recruitment. Ian Gordon, Garvan Stewart and Malky Mackay have made a right mess of it.

John: Same old disjointed performance. Once again terrible defending cost us two goals. Urgency only when we're behind is not acceptable and the lack of a winger in the team to create chances is desperately needed.

Ringo: I think it's time for Gray to do the decent thing and resign before he's sacked. He can't take Hibs any further - his team has no passion or fight. Jamie McGrath was the only player with pass marks in my opinion. The rest couldn't care less if they lost. Go now, Gray, while you have the chance.

Ian: The manager has once again said that the team did not start well. Is this because they don't know what they're supposed to do? There is no recognisable plan. Against Dundee they were progressive and entertaining. Have the coaches managed to stamp that out?

Brian: We're not far off being a good team. More fight, and moving the ball quicker... the basics. Changing the manager would be totally detrimental at this point.

Josh Fowler's first-half double made it back-to-back home Scottish Premiership victories for St Johnstone as they leapfrogged a lacklustre Hibernian in Perth, cranking pressure up on head coach David Gray.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "Again there's real frustration, disappointment and anger.

"The reaction I was looking for, I certainly didn't get in the first half and St Johnstone didn't have to work too hard to score two goals today.

"Off the back of the disappointment of Thursday, and probably because of our how second half was, and the reaction I got at half-time, you were hoping that would come in to today. In the first half there was a real lack of intent and aggression.

"Second half we huffed and puffed but I'm certainly not going to be making excuses for how we started that game.

"It's a responsibility across the board. As a player you've got to be the best you can be. You can't play well every week, technically, sometimes you can have poor games and make mistakes and I think we're being punished for mistakes.

"You can't give away two goals like that and not come under criticism and I know it is my responsibility.

"You can feel sorry for yourselves or you can look for that responsibility. We need everybody together and pulling in the right direction.

"I totally understand [fan frustration]. Supporters spend their money to come and support their team, they have high standards for this football club.

"It should be aimed at the manager. You get paid to win games of football and I think if you've not won you come under criticism, That's what you sign up for as a manager. I won't shy away from that responsibility, it will drive me on to work harder.

"I know we've got a good group. I know I've still got the group. I think I'll be able to show to the players why I think this can turn very quickly, because of what we've got in there."

Midfielder Josh Mulligan believes the strong leaders in the Hibernian dressing room will help David Gray's side bounce back from the disappointment of Thursday's defeat by Hearts. (Hibs Observer), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Head coach David Gray hopes to see "a reaction" when Hibernian take on St Johnstone in Perth on Sunday (15:00 BST).

Hibs were beaten 3-1 at home by Edinburgh rivals Hearts on Thursday, with Jack Iredale sent off for the hosts in the second half.

"The group we've got, we can be really, really competitive this season but in the short term, nobody wants to hear that from me right now, everybody wants to see a reaction," said Gray.

"We need a reaction quickly because losing games of football is really tough to take but losing to your local rivals makes it even tougher.

"The St Johnstone game coming quickly can help because you've not got all week to think about it. It's about getting back out there again and making sure you put it right as quick as you can - and this gives us the chance to do that."

On-loan West Brom right-back Alex Williams and Serbian centre-back Marko Ivezic are in Gray's squad after arriving this week.

"Alex is definitely available, which is great," Gray explained.

"We would hope Marko's work permit will be done in time. He's someone who, if he's available, would certainly come right into the squad."

Steve Evans, the 63-year-old Scot currently in charge of Bristol Rovers, is being eyed by Hibernian and Preston North End should either club change managers. (Football Insider, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• Hibernian have only lost two of their last 15 Scottish Premiership games against newly promoted opponents (W8 D5), a 2-3 defeat at Dundee United in October 2024 and 1-4 loss at Falkirk in January last season.

• Hibernian have won each of their last four away league games and could win 5+ in a row on the road in the top-flight for the first time since November 2005 (run of six).

• After their 4-3 win over Kilmarnock, St. Johnstone are looking to win both of their first two home games of a Scottish Premiership season for the first time since 2017-18. The Saints have won five of their last nine home matches overall in the competition (D1 L3).

• Hibernian have only lost two of their last 13 Scottish Premiership visits to St. Johnstone (W6 D5), both 1-0 defeats in March 2021 and December 2023.

• St. Johnstone are winless in four league meetings with Hibernian (D1 L3) since a 2-1 victory in April 2024.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray accepts responsibility for Thursday night's derby defeat to rivals Hearts but is confident his side can still have a strong season.

Gray has come under pressure from fans after Thursday night's 3-1 defeat to their rivals, a defeat that comes a week after their late capitulation at home to Gent in their Conference League qualifier.

To make matters worse for Gray, it's the first time since 2012 that Hibs have lost three consecutive derby games.

"During this period now, you need to own it," Gray said.

"You need to take it to the chin and I certainly need to own it, it's my responsibility when you lose any game."

Hibs have lost two and won two of their Premiership games so far this season as they prepare for Sunday's trip to St Johnstone.

One of those victories did come against Rangers at Ibrox but Gray still feels his side should have picked up more than the six points they've amassed so far.

"If you look back at every game we've lost this season, we certainly could have won every one of them if we'd taken our chances again," Gray added.

"Even looking at the Hearts game in isolation, very fine margins again. So as poor as I thought we were first half, some of that was down to Hearts settling better but we were still in it.

"We scored the next one and I thought we dominated the game from that point. I do think there was very little in it. We created enough chances. We've already shown that domestically we're capable of big performances."

Hibs fans, we asked for your views after Thursday's Edinburgh derby defeat to Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Michael: Apart from 20 minutes in the second half, it was a pretty dire performance. Like many times before, there doesn't seem to be a game plan or any tactics. Ante Suto and Thibaut Klidje did more in their cameo appearances than Nathan Lowe has done all season, I don't understand why he is our first choice striker.

Kenny: Pathetic performance especially the first half. Too many poor performances to call. We lost the second goal to a free header and although we got a goal back we never really looked like getting anything from the game. The third goal ended any chance we had and the fans voted with their feet. I'm sorry to say this but David Gray needs to go as things are just not improved and only going to get worse.

Scott: Absolute dross first half. Better start second half until a stupid sending off. No wingers or a goalscorer brought in, not good enough. Unacceptable. Lightweight. Manager seriously under pressure now however the players shoulder most of the blame for this.

George: Close, but no cigar. Overall, we are slack in defence too often and we don't take our chances so we'll lose more often than not. Not a great picture, and not sure how this gets sorted, because it's been this way for a while. Fed up? Yes, big time.

Colin: Tactically naive and didn't compete in the first half which isn't good enough in a derby. Sorted things out at half-time but it was 45 minutes too late. Jack Iredale's stupidity cost us as we fought to get back into the game. Collective failure after such a good performance at Dundee.

Scott: Embarrassing result, totally outplayed and out-coached in the first half and only looked good for 15 minutes of the second. The hoofball Hibs play is rubbish to say the least, no game plan whatsoever- just boot it up to Lowe who is another poor signing. For me Gray has to go, he has run out of ideas.