Hibernian

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.

We asked for your views after Hibs slumped to a sixth straight Premiership home defeat, losing 1-0 at home to struggling Kilmarnock.

Here are some of your comments:

George: All Hibs fans love David Gray but unfortunately, and I don't like saying it, he's probably reached the end. Given the amount of talent at his disposal he just can't get a consistent display out of them. We have a big enough squad too.

Gary: If Malky Mackay and Gray have been so pleased to bring certain players in why are we so bad?

D Fraser: We were absolutely atrocious. No gameplan whatsoever, can't defend for toffee. Sorry Gray but your time's up, you aren't able to get any change out of this lot of players. I don't believe it's all Gray's fault but unfortunately it's a results business and we are not getting them right now.

Nick: Nothing will change until the whole coaching team has been changed. Poor tactics, poor set-pieces, repeating the same thing over and over. Predictable play. Lack of leadership on the pitch. Team captain sitting on the bench. Masses of effort but little to show for it.

Paul: Another lacklustre performance. Toothless and second best all over the field. Only Raphael Sallinger and and Josh Mulligan are fit to wear the jersey. I feel Gray has lost the dressing room, it's time for change or the Hibees are going on freefall for the rest of the season.

Ali: Gray is now a dead man walking. I have always liked him but enough is enough. However, I would be concerned if it was Mackay making the decision to replace him, there needs to be a clearout at Easter road, too many old pals act.

Stefan: I remember watching the great Hibs team of the early 1950s that dominated Scottish football. Since then, Hearts, Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen have all had periods of success but for Hibs that has come only in fits and starts. Isn't it time that the owners and the managers gave the supporters a dominant team once more?

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "It's clear to see, not good enough in terms of the result. We didn't create clear enough chances.

"Kilmarnock defended their box a lot better than we did. We gave up too many chances and some of our defending wasn't good enough, that's why we lost the game.

"The only way it turns is by putting yourself out there, sticking together and believing in yourself and trusting your ability."

When asked how he can change Hibs' fortunes, Gray responds: "One thing I will continue to is work as hard as I can to turn this around. I've been through adversity before at this football club and I will continue until someone tells me otherwise. I believe in my group and believe in what we're doing."

And whether he still has the backing of the board, he adds: "Until someone was to say something different, I will continue to do everything to turn this around."

Kilmarnock finally got their first Scottish Premiership victory of the season, consigning Hibernian to a sixth home league defeat in a row with a hard-fought win at Easter Road.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the game here.

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Hibs have issued ultras group Block Seven with a one-game ban from Easter Road because of pyrotechnics use and "general unacceptable conduct".

It means Block Seven will be absent for Tuesday night's visit of Kilmarnock, while a further three-match ban is suspended for the remainder of the season.

"The club will monitor the situation and reserves the right to utilise the further three-match sanction should there be any further unacceptable conduct incidents involving Block Seven during the suspended period," Hibs say.

Their statement added: "The club has discussed the decision with the SPFL and are in communication with representatives from Block Seven, who have been made fully aware of the sanction and have accepted the decision.

"We recognise the passion and atmosphere our supporters create and appreciate the incredible backing the team receives.

"However, the use of pyrotechnics is unacceptable, as it is a breach of the club's ground regulations and unacceptable conduct policies, and the club has a responsibility to act when such incidents occur.

"This is not a decision taken lightly, but following incidents at multiple fixtures this season, we believe it is necessary."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Adam Mayor expects Martin Boyle to resume penalty duties at Hibernian, despite the left-back scoring from the spot in Saturday's League Cup victory over Ross County.

Mayor, 21, took and scored his first spot-kick within regulation time of a match - into the top left corner - to put Hibs 2-0 up in the 3-0 win.

"If Boyley's on the pitch, I think he'll still take them," Mayor said.

"A lot of the lads were laughing after the game. They said it's because I haven't got much going on in my head, it's a bit empty there. It's probably a good thing. I didn't really feel that much pressure.

"It's good that the staff have got the confidence in me. I've taken a few in penalty shootouts and I've put them in the same place."

Hibs, who host Kilmarnock in Tuesday's Premiership match, will face Edinburgh rivals Hearts in the semi-finals, having lost to the Tynecastle side 3-1 in their recent league meeting.

"I had a feeling we were going to get them," Mayor said. "I'm made up with the draw. It's a chance for us to go and get one back.

"That's going to be better and mean more to the fans if we can go and do it in the semis."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Everyone was looking at Ross County to provide the shock of the League Cup quarter-finals, but Hibs tucked them away without much fuss to set up a Hampden date against Hearts.

We have a woeful record against our city rivals at the national stadium and, as with recent derbies, an unwelcome habit of shooting ourselves in the foot in increasingly creative ways to hand the result to Hearts.

However, we did see enough in the recent derby to give some encouragement that we can head west to have a real go at getting that Hampden monkey off our backs.

Despite an abysmal first-half showing, when Hibs turned it on in the second half we more than matched Hearts and if it hadn't been for Jack Iredale's rush of blood to the head, we could well have taken something from the game.

David Gray mentioned in his post-match interviews on Saturday that his side are very good when they "put it all together", and we have seen the evidence of that at times this season.

It's putting it all together consistently that's proving the problem, but there's a lot of football to be played between now and the semi-final.

It's a mouthwatering tie. In any cup draw you want the 'easiest' tie, but failing that the next best is to face your rivals with the chance to extend Hearts' trophyless run in this competition closer to 70 years.

One thing's for sure, the city is going to be buzzing for this game. I can't wait for it!

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external