Hibernian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Another late goal conceded, another two points dropped – a scenario that has become all too familiar for Hibernian this season.

That's 10 draws in the Premiership so far, four of which saw the team leading at some stage, making the pattern of frustration hard to swallow.

Yet when the broader picture is considered, there are encouraging signs. Last season Hibs finished third with 58 points and secured European football.

This term, despite currently sitting fifth, they have already recorded 12 wins and have 46 points with nine matches still to play – putting them on course to potentially surpass last year's tally.

There is a strong argument that, under David Gray, the team is progressing. Year-on-year improvement is evident, even if the immediate results sometimes test patience.

This campaign has been unlike any in recent memory. Few would have predicted Hearts would top the table in mid-March, or that Motherwell would be title contenders.

For Hibs, a closer challenge to the summit would have been ideal, but patience remains the key.

Looking ahead, the four matches before the split are eminently winnable. Livingston and Kilmarnock visit Easter Road, while Hibs face trips to Motherwell and Aberdeen. With the January recruits beginning to showcase their quality, a target of nine to 12 points is realistic.

Achieving that would allow Hibs to enter the final five matches with confidence and capable of influencing the title race while not giving up hope of catching Motherwell in fourth.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Our hopes of overtaking Motherwell in fourth were dealt what might be a fatal blow with Dundee's equaliser – the latest in a long line of late goals that have blighted Hibs season.

It wasn't far off Hibs' strongest 11 on Saturday. Arguments could be made for Grant Hanley and Josh Mulligan's inclusion but it will be rare David Gray has so many of his first team available for selection.

The mantra from Gray has been about Hibs being the "best version of ourselves". The consensus among the fans is we see that best version far too little and that, as much as the late goals issue, is what has ultimately undone our season.

We are a very capable team on our day. You only have to go back just over a week to see Hibs beating champions Celtic in their own backyard. We've beaten the league leaders this season and come close against Rangers and Motherwell too.

At our best, we're easy on the eye, attacking, dynamic, and able to control games comfortably. The issue is we don't have to be at our worst to be none of those things.

Saturday was a case in point – not a dreadful performance overall, a very poor first half was salvaged by a much better second half before we switched off for the final crucial kick of the game.

Dundee were able to cause us far more problems than they should given the collective strength of the squads, and I mean no disrespect with that statement.

Dundee are a team that contain Hibs men of yesteryear – neither Drey Wright nor Simon Murray were considered good enough to remain at the club, yet they had a very comfortable first 45 minutes before we eventually got a grip of the game.

This is a huge concern for Gray – people will point to the late goals as the habit he needs to break, but really the bigger problem is we very rarely find ourselves in the position where those late goals are meaningless consolations.

Getting a consistency of good performance and capitalising when we're on top is key to turning these games into wins.

And if Gray can't get there with the very good squad he has, then the noise around his long-term future will continue to grow, however harsh that feels to me.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

A trio of Motherwell stars, duos from Hearts and Falkirk, and one each from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Dundee.

Jonathan Sutherland has picked his team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Calum Ward - Motherwell

A key part of the Motherwell success story at the back. Yet another clean sheet.

Harry Milne - Hearts

Mr Versatile and Mr Reliable all rolled into one. Another team of the week appearance for Milne. Taking the liberty of forcing this auxiliary dynamo into right-back here.

Luke Graham - Dundee

A goal and an assist from the highly promising Dundee defender. His finish for the Dark Blues was like that of a striker.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Huge goal at a huge time in the Old Firm Derby. The Scotland international has quietly been a big player for Celtic over the past few weeks and will no doubt be a big leader for this side in the finale of this incredible season.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian

There is almost laser precision to his deliveries from the left-hand side. His assist for Owen Elding's header was a perfect example, knowing exactly where to put the ball to elude the defence and allow the striker the best chance to finish.

Elliott Watt - Motherwell

The Motherwell orchestrator has been a key part of the Fir Park ensemble, which continues to hit all the right notes.

The ominous thing for Hearts, Rangers and Celtic is there appears to be no reason why Motherwell cannot keep on winning.

Watt is a central cog in that winning machine. An assist for Tawanda Maswanhise's second.

Dylan Tait - Falkirk

Two goals and so much to enjoy from the Falkirk midfielder. Part of a group completely in sync with each other, and loving life under John McGlynn in the top flight.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Has led from the front in the absence of Lawrence Shankland and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

The personification of Hearts this season, plucked by analytics from the relative obscurity of the Norwegian second division to spearheading a title charge threatening to destroy 40 years of Old Firm dominance.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

Another barnstorming weekend for young Barney Stewart. The Grangemouth Harry Kane was on fire against Kilmarnock and was unlucky not to claim another hat-trick.

The story of the university lad now playing Premiership football has been well told, but it's now moved on to just how quickly he has developed into one of the most exciting strikers in the league.

The only thing missing from the McGlynn Falkirk success story was a goal-getting number nine. They have certainly found him.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Talk about a big game player.

Looks decidedly pedestrian at times in more run-of-the-mill fixtures, but when it slams to the big matches against the big teams the 21-year-old has been the man to deliver. And in spectacular style.

His first goal was Scott McTominay-esque, an iconic Old Firm moment. His second was pure gallus opportunism full of ingenuity and initiative.

Tawanda Maswanhise - Motherwell

Another two goals for the jewel in the crown of the Motherwell story. The top scorer in the Premiership, if Maswanhise can stay fit and keep this form going the Steelmen really do have a shot at glory.

Their combination of goals and clean sheets is quite incredible. What an extra dimension Motherwell and Maswanhise have brought to this quite sensational season.

Watch as Sportscene pundit Richard Foster suggests Hibernian fans will be "slightly disappointed" if they finish fifth in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Watch the best of the action as Dundee and Hibernian share six goals in a Scottish Premiership draw.

We asked for your views on Hibernian's 3-3 draw against Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

Colin: Another late, late show. Defence and game management a shambles! Are we slow learners? Where's the experienced leaders on the pitch? Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. Our league position doesn't lie.

Ringo: How many times are Hibs going to lose a last minute goal? Every time we seem to be getting somewhere, good old Hibs let you down. We haven't won three games in row all season. David Gray will put his usual positive spin on it and say a point away from home is a good result - it's two points dropped again.

Bob: Yet again, we throw it away. David Gray, please see that you can't play the same way against teams like Dundee as we do against Celtic, Rangers, Hearts or Motherwell.

We are far too sloppy at the end of both the first and second halves. We keep doing the same stuff, you keep saying the same stuff, sort it out!

We should have put this game to bed when we were 1-0 up but again, we fall apart. Please sort this nonsense or, I'm sorry to say, your time is limited and as a longtime supporter, we don't want that.

Keith: Completely unbelievable. Beat Celtic at Parkhead for first time in years then throw away points at Dens Park. We 'Hibsed it' again, no doubt. So angry.

Darren: New manager required, new ideas required. Same old, soft Hibs. How long do we need to suffer? How many times must this happen before someone comes up with a solution? Fifth or sixth place is not acceptable.

Chris: Season over, the defence was awful once again. We have no idea how to concentrate. It's embarrassing. Roll on next season.

Kenny: Poor defending has cost us again. The defence can't sing off the same hymn sheet. Rocky Bushiri was ball-watching for the second and we then stepped up a gear and scored two good goals to go in front. We then gave away a silly free-kick to give Dundee possession with only a couple of minutes to go. Another two points thrown away.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jamie McGrath says Hibernian can't dwell on their "bitterly disappointing" draw at Dundee as they aim to chase down the teams above them in the Scottish Premiership.

McGrath thought he had secured the win at Dens Park when he netted in the 89th minute to put the visitors 3-2 up.

But Cameron Congreve scored for the home side in the fifth minute of stoppage time to ensure a share of the spoils.

"Bitterly disappointing," McGrath told BBC Scotland. "Overall to score three goals away from home and not come away with the three points, especially in the manner we did, is very, very disappointing.

"The emotions are high out there, what we think is the winner, we go down and obviously concede.

"We wanted to build on last week (a 2-1 win at Celtic Park), a great performance last week, and get another win today, although we knew it wouldn't be easy.

"But I think over the balance of play we probably edged it. But fair play to them, they stuck with it."

The result means fifth-placed Hibs have lost ground on Motherwell, who are now seven points above them.

But McGrath believes they can still catch the Steelmen over the coming weeks.

"That is our whole goal, is to try and finish as high as we can in the league," he added. "There is still a lot of football to be played, we all have our own personal ambitions and as a team we have ambitions.

"Although it is a draw, we have dropped two points, but I think we are on a bit of an unbeaten run at the minute so we want to try to keep the positives up."

Hibernian dropped points in the race for Europe as Cam Congreve's dramatic late screamer rescued a Scottish Premiership point for Dundee in a six-goal thriller at Dens Park.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Hibernian head coach David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "Very mixed [emotions], just due to the nature of a whirlwind game. To lose a goal with the very last kick feels like two points dropped a defeat.

"What's massively let us down today is the goals we've conceded. We were the better side but the defending has cost us.

"The players then showed incredible character to be 2-1 down, to then go 3-2 up. The subs came on and impacted the game.

"The players are hurting though, but the story today is that we've come to a tough place, scored three goals and only got a point. That shows you where we've let ourselves down today.

"I can't fault the players' effort and desire to go back in front in the game. That was certainly there, and I have to take the positives from that. That's a great trait to have.

"But we need to find a way to get over the line. It is an incredible strike that got Dundee the point, but is it avoidable from our point of view? Of course it is.

"A point away from home is never a disaster in this league, absolutely not. There's a lot of football to be played. We've lost ground on the teams above us today."

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Dundee welcome back Joe Westley, Ashley Hay and Brad Halliday but Callum Jones is a doubt and Billy Koumetio (knee) and Clark Robertson (thigh) are still out.

Hibs captain Joe Newell is back in contention along with Chris Cadden, but Josh Mulligan (ankle), Jordan Obita and Grant Hanley (both hamstring) are still out.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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David Gray has been speaking to the media before Hibs visit Dundee in the Premiership on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from the Hibs boss:

• Grant Hanley, Chris Cadden - who could play on Saturday - and Jordan Obita are all back in training. Hanley has missed a month of action but will be available for selection after this weekend and also for Scotland's World Cup warm-up friendlies at the end of March.

• Josh Mulligan has been out since January with an ankle injury and while Gray says it is difficult to put an "exact timeframe" on a return, he says the key midfielder will "definitely" be back this season.

• Gray "wants to use the feelgood factor" from last week's win at Celtic Park as Hibs look to secure a third straight victory.

• "The aim" for this season is to catch fourth-place Motherwell, who occupy the final European spot and are five points ahead having played a game fewer. Gray says: "We're constantly trying to chase them down until such a point that we can't catch them. It stood us well last season in terms of trying to catch that team in front, and it's something we're still striving to do just now."

• Gray insists every team in the Premiership have "something to play for" with 10 games left and it is "great for the neutral and great for the league".

• He say Hibs are "proactive" with plans for the summer transfer window: "There are a lot of conversations going on with players that are in the building, and with staff, about what we think we could be looking at and what we might need to make sure we keep progressing."

• Hibs won 2-1 at Dens Park on the opening day of the season but Gray says Dundee are now a "very different" team and have "real threats all over the pitch".

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Hibs' victory over Celtic last Saturday did more than secure three points. It sent shockwaves through Scottish football.

But perhaps it should not have.

Recent performances had hinted this was coming. Results have improved, confidence has grown, and there has been a sharper edge about Hibs in recent weeks. This was not a smash and grab, it was the continuation of an upward curve.

Wins of this nature, away to the current champions in Glasgow, can redefine a season. They energise a dressing room, reengage a support and shift belief from quiet optimism to something more tangible. For a side chasing European football, it may prove a pivotal afternoon.

There was further encouragement in the impact of the January arrivals.

Felix Passlack opened the scoring, ghosting in at the back post to meet Nicky Cadden's cross with a composed diving header - the sort of instinctive movement that speaks to confidence and attacking intent.

The winner, struck with authority by Kai Andrews, underlined his quality.

If Hibs are to secure a European berth next season, this performance must now become the standard rather than the exception.

With five matches remaining before the split, the equation is straightforward: 15 points available, and as many of them as possible required.

Next comes a trip to a rejuvenated Dundee side. After a difficult start under new manager Steven Pressley, they have found rhythm and identity. A 14-point cushion above bottom spot tells its own story.

While they have only one win in their past five, Dundee are playing with greater freedom, moving the ball with confidence and feeding off a home support that has rediscovered its voice.

There is also the psychological element to consider. With no fixture next weekend, the last thing Hibs want is to head into a break on the back of defeat. A loss lingers; a victory fuels anticipation.

For Hibs, this is the challenge now. The win over Celtic has raised expectation externally and internally. The next step is to prove it was not a standalone moment but part of a sustained push.

Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan faces a delay in his recovery from minor ankle surgery but Chris Cadden and Joe Newell are making progress in training. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

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• Dundee have lost their past three league meetings with Hibernian, last losing four in a row to the Easter Road side in the top flight in April 2001.

• After their 2-1 win in August, Hibs could win successive Scottish Premiership visits to Dundee for the first time since February 2019 (three in a row).

• Over half of Dundee's points this season have been earned since Christmas (14/27). The Dark Blues won just three of their 18 league games prior to Christmas Day (D4 L11), but have since won four of their nine matches (D2 L3).

• After their 2-1 victory at Celtic last time out, Hibs could win back-to-back away league outings for the first time since December 2024.

• Simon Murray has scored three goals in his past two Premiership appearances, more than his previous 26 beforehand (2). Since he rejoined Dundee at the start of last season, Murray's 20 league goals are more than double any other player for the club (Lyall Cameron second with nine).

Hibernian head coach David Gray says Sunday's 2-1 win at Celtic Park was the culmination of a challenge he had set his players during his tenure. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Gray says the officials got the biggest call right in Glasgow as Celtic lost Auston Trusty to a red card before Hibs got their late winner. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

It was a welcome, if rare, win at Parkhead for Hibs on Sunday, with David Gray ending a 16-year run for Hibs without a win at Celtic.

In doing so, Gray became the first Hibs manager to beat Celtic home and away since Alex Miller.

Gray is something of a history maker at Hibs. He's had his critics but there's no denying that he's also something of a master of using past adversity to shape present performance.

Two of Gray's January recruits got the goals - Felix Passlack bulleted his header past Kasper Schmeichel to give Hibs the lead before Kai Andrews stroked a shot home from the edge of the box to restore Hibs' lead after Celtic had been reduced to ten men.

It was a moment of madness from Celtic's Auston Trusty that saw him see red for lashing out at Jamie McGrath in the second half, and while the referee saw the incident, it took a VAR intervention for him to see the severity of Trusty's strike.

Gray has been criticised by some for being too reluctant to go and win games, but there was no question that he chased the win - with the man advantage, Hibs stepped up a gear and Celtic were suddenly chasing the game.

A special mention must go to Miguel Chaiwa, who put in a performance in midfield that we've not seen in Glasgow since John McGinn left the club.

The youngster was incredible, showing as much technique as he did tenacity to set the tone for Hibs in the middle of the park.

Hibs will be hoping to keep him at the club for as long as possible on Sunday's showing.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jerome Prior - Livingston: A superb performance from the Livingston keeper, who pulled off a variety of fantastic stops to repel Rangers time and again. No shame in ultimately conceding two given the deluge he was under.

Stephen O'Donnell - Motherwell: Has been a true, versatile hero at the back for the Steelmen this season. Looks like a player rejuvenated every weekend in this brilliant Motherwell side.

Brooklyn Kabongolo - Livingston: What. A. Strike! Finished like one of the world's best strikers to put Livingston ahead against Rangers. Also put in a big shift at the back.

Harry Milne - Hearts: Not one of the most celebrated at the time, but has to be one of the best recent signings Hearts have made. A model of consistency. The former Partick Thistle player put in another energised, dependable performance for his manager.

Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell: Thought he looked offside for his goal, but who am I to argue with the VAR lines. Has been an awesome presence down the left for the Steelmen all season.

Felix Passlack - Hibernian: The former Borussia Dortmund player arrived at Easter Road with a fine CV and underlined those credentials with a fine showing at Celtic Park. Took his opportunity superbly with an unstoppable header to fire Hibs in front.

Elijah Just - Motherwell: Every weekend Just underlines his credentials as a player of the year contender. Opened the scoring in the demolition of St Mirren with another brilliant goal.

Ethan Hamilton - Dundee: For his thunderbolt winner against Aberdeen. Great follow-up to his sublime strike against Celtic in the cup, but that was ultimately in vain while this strike at Pittodrie bagged what could turn out to be a vital three points. A statement season for the midfielder.

Callum Slattery - Motherwell: Difficult to look past the fact he went down far too easily as Richard King was sent off. However, the actual football performance from Slattery was excellent. Three assists for the midfielder as the Steelmen further underlined their title credentials by tearing St Mirren apart.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian: Hibs are simply a far better side with Nicky Cadden in it. His delivery from the left offers so much to Hibs in attack, as shown by the assist for Passlack's diving header against Celtic.

Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen: The light in the north for the slightly dismal Dons at the moment. His first was freakish - helped massively by Dundee keeper Jon McCracken - but his second was an absolute firecracker of a free kick. On another day might easily have had a hat-trick.

We asked for your views after Kai Andrews' late winner secured Hibernian a first victory at Parkhead since 2010 on a potentially pivotal day in an incredible season.

Here's what some of you said:

Niall: A stunning result and badly needed for this team and manager. Hibs have shown in flashes that they can compete with the best in the league, so let's keep that momentum going until the end of the season. Who knows where we could end up?

Hannah: It's been some two seasons for Sir David Gray. Since he's been in the driving seat at Hibs, the team have won at Celtic Park, Ibrox, Tynecastle and Pittodrie (on more than one occasion). It's been inconsistent but you've got to say Hibs wouldn't have gotten the results they have bagged if Gray wasn't in charge. Build that man a statue.

Scott: At half-time I was thinking 'same old Hibs' but they stuck at it and whilst Celtic huffed and puffed I thought Hibs put on a controlled, professional performance. More like this please.

Tim: It looks like Hibs' transfer business in January was top notch. The new signings are adding a touch of class. And with Nicky Cadden back, we have a real threat. If only we could run a string of good results together.

Alan: Well done Sir David, that proves the doubters wrong. It took Fergie over three years to sort out Manchester United. Hibs are definitely in a much better place after a few dodgy managerial appointments in the recent past . Very organised today , good signs from some of the new recruits ,but still think a decent keeper would take us to the next level .

Neil: A great result,I've seen us play better and got beaten. Miguel Chaiwa was a standout,hopefully this run in the team helps him flourish. Everyone is saying the result helps Hearts, but I'm not bothered as we'll skelp them as well.

Watch highlights as Hibernian beat Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Match report: Hibs stun Celtic with late Andrews winner

Available to UK users only.

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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.