Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Hibs earned a 3-0 win in Paisley on Saturday to climb to third in the Scottish Premiership and have two players in my team of the week as a result.
Raphael Sallinger was solid in goal, making five saves on his way to a clean sheet, while Josh Mulligan took his goal superbly.
Image source, SNSJamie McGrath and Johnny Kenny have each scored five times this season
Celtic forward Johnny Kenny and Hibernian midfielder Jamie McGrath have been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary.
McGrath, 29, could add to his 13 caps while under-21 cap Kenny, 22, could make his senior international debut.
Both players featured in weekend Scottish Premiership wins, with McGrath assisting Josh Mulligan's opener in Hibs' 3-0 Saturday win away to St Mirren and Kenny opening the scoring for Celtic as they defeated visitors Kilmarnock 4-0 on Sunday - a fifth goal in 11 appearances this season. McGrath also has five goals this term.
Heimir Hallgrimsson's Republic of Ireland are third in World Cup Qualifying Group F, a point behind Hungary and a point in front of Armenia.
Portugal, who visit Dublin on Thursday, are five points clear at the top. Hungary host Hallgrimsson's side in Sunday's final round of group fixtures.
Roma forward Evan Ferguson will miss the Portugal game but could be fit in time for the match in Budapest. Bristol City midfielder Mark Sykes has been ruled out injured.
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Watch highlights from St Mirren's 3-0 defeat against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
We asked for your views on Hibernian's 3-0 win against St Mirren.
Here's what some of you said:
Laurence: VAR went in our favour, so after the decisions we've had so far maybe they do even out over the season. Time to regroup over the international break and hopefully, with a few players returning from injury, we can put a run together and chase down Celtic then Hearts.
Willie: Big decisions and bold team selections from David Gray, got calls from VAR but we were by far the better team. Fully deserved!
Niall: A lot of chat in the build-up that St Mirren were more physical and could bully Hibs, that was fairly comprehensively put to bed. Couldn't ask for more than three goals and the clean sheet. Great to see Chris Cadden bouncing back well after the Rangers debacle too. Time to kick on big time.
John: VAR went in our favour this week but our second half performance was very, very good. Defending in the opposition half instead of sitting in is definitely the best tactics.
Farhaan: Getting into a similar mindset and rhythm as last year, so let's hope it continues. Still missing a Nectar Triantis type player though. Also, still not completely happy with the goalkeeping situation.
Sandy: Fantastic performance and Josh Mulligan deservedly man of the match. Best Hibs watch of the season to date. Onwards and upwards.
Assad: Hibs looked organised, sharp, and confident. They moved the ball quickly, pressed with purpose, and didn't panic under pressure. Three goals, three points and a clean sheet away from home.
Image source, SNSHibs head coach David Gray tells Premier Sports: "Delighted for Chris Cadden [to score] because it's something he's been wanting to add to his game.
"He's had a few disappointments this season but he deserves it.
"It's a massive, massive win. It's been very fine margins for us recently. Tonight, it went for us.
"They're very big moments in the game that went for us but all in all I thought we were excellent.
"You have to stand up to the physical challenge of St Mirren and we did that.
"I believe there's a lot more to come from this group. Some of our performances this season have been of a high standard but we may have let ourselves down in certain moments."
Image source, SNSSt Mirren captain Mark O'Hara is likely to miss out after aggravating a foot problem while Shamal George is a fitness doubt. Alex Gogic is suspended.
Hibernian trio Joe Newell (groin), Alasana Manneh (hamstring) and Warren O'Hora (shoulder) have trained all week and are available, but Dylan Levitt (appendix) and Rudi Molotnikov (ankle) are out.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSThe imminent return of club captain Joe Newell has provided a "real boost" for Hibernian, says head coach David Gray.
The 32-year-old midfielder has not played since 29 December 2024 but has now completed two weeks of full tempo training.
"This is positive for him," said Gray. "It's been a long fight, trying to get fit.
"Having him around, driving the standard and the intensity within training, is a real boost.
"There's an international break coming up, we have a bounce game as well, which will be really significant for him and the boys that haven't played as many minutes."
Fellow midfielder Alasana Manneh is also close to a complete recovery, having been out with a hamstring injury since late August, while Warren O'Hora is fit again after missing the past two matches with a shoulder issue.
Hibs travel to St Mirren on Saturday looking to end a run of eight league games without a win against the Paisley side.
"It's a very competitive league and I expect a tough game," said Gray, who has his side sitting third in the Premiership despite just three wins from 11 games.
"I think they've added well again. He [St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson] does really well in building his squad every year. He's put together a real strong, physical side.
"They're always very well organised. They carry a huge threat, real legs in the middle of the pitch. So you know that's what you're going to face when you go down there, set pieces, huge part of the game as well."
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDavid Gray has been speaking to the media before Hibs visit St Mirren in the Premiership on Saturday evening.
Here are the key points from the Hibs boss:
Midfielder Joe Newell - who hasn't played since last December because of injury - is back in contention and Alasana Manneh and Warren O'Hora are available.
Gray says there has been a noticeable lift in the mood with Newell back training with the first team in recent weeks and "driving standards".
"Very fine margins" in the past two games have led to poor results but Gray insists there is no need to "rip everything up" with his team selection.
Steve Clarke has spoken to Kieron Bowie - who has gone eight Hibs games without a goal - about being dropped from the Scotland squad but Gray says the 23-year-old striker is "still learning".
He adds: "With young players, you don't always have that level of consistency at times. He's fighting against some things, but he's also providing what we're asking him to do, which is positive performances, and he just needs to keep going, and keep seeing that as the end-game for him."
Gray expects a very tough challenge from League Cup finalists St Mirren, who Hibs haven't beaten in eight league meetings: "He [Stephen Robinson] does really well in building his squads every year. I think he's put together a real strong, physical side. They're always very well organised and carry a huge threat."
Gray says he constantly reminds his players they are third in the table and in a much better position than they were 12 months ago.
Hibernian head coach David Gray reveals the Easter Road club will be looking at "a few positions" in the January transfer window. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSSt Mirren are unbeaten in eight league meetings with Hibs (W4 D4) since a 2-1 home defeat in May 2023.
Hibs have only won of their past six visits to Paisley in the Scottish Premiership (D3 L2), a 1-0 victory in February 2023 under Lee Johnson.
St Mirren have only lost one of their past 10 home league games (W4 D5), although are winless in two (D1 L1).
Only leaders Hearts have earned more away points in the Scottish Premiership this season (13) than Hibs (9), who have lost just one of six league fixtures on the road (W2 D3).
44% of St Mirren's non-penalty expected goals in the Premiership this season have come from set-plays (4.4/9.9), the highest ratio of any side. However, just 16.9% of Hibs' non-penalty xGA has been from set-plays (2.0/11.7), the lowest ratio in 2025-26.
Matty Fairnie
Fan writer
Another week, another late goal conceded and lead squandered.
It's a frustrating habit and will surely catch up with Hibs soon. Despite the dropped points, we finished the weekend in third place.
Hibs' recent lacklustre performances have drawn a lot of justified criticism from supporters.
The football hasn't been as easy on the eye as last season and outside of some stirring European performances, David Gray's team have flattered to deceive on too many occasions – a frustration voiced by the head coach on more than one occasion recently.
Livingston were well worth their point last Saturday. Hibs didn't turn up until the second half and while Gray got a reaction in the second half it was too little, too late.
He has the players at his disposal and there's a real sense we should be doing better than we are, despite sitting third.
A formidable challenge awaits this weekend with a trip to face St Mirren. The League Cup finalists were the only team we failed to beat last season and the first meeting this term was a 1-1 draw at Easter Road.
We need the players to step up and show what they are about before we get pulled into a mid-table battle.
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Watch Sportscene pundit Neil McCann discuss "old school kick-offs" as Hibs stun Livingston with an early strike from Jamie McGrath.
Image source, SNSWatch the highlights of Livingston 2-2 Hibernian by clicking here.
We asked for your views on Hibs' 2-2 draw against Livingston.
Here's what some of you said:
John: The nervous nineties do it again as we allow teams to dominate in the dying minutes. David Gray must sort this very quickly as there seems to be a lack of determination to win at all costs unlike our rivals at the other side of the city.
Tom: How many times are we going to throw away points with late goals conceded? We must train for 80 minute games looking at the results.
Willie: Not good enough again, outplayed for most parts by the worst team in the league, fine margins again but they never seem to go our way.
Rab: Same old Hibs, teams we should beat, we don't. If we turn up we are great, some players are not giving 100 per cent for 90 minutes. Hibs need to do better.
Martin: No bravery, no urgency. We're so slow to attack and still playing hoof-ball at times. Miguel Chaiwa was the only player to want to try things and keep the ball on the ground. To sit in against Livi is worrying.
Pat: You can't ignore the decision making that yet again sees us drop more points from a winning position. On the positive side, we are third and it's not the time to turn on the team. It's obvious to everyone that we can't see out a game and that responsibility sits entirely with the management team.
Image source, SNS"It needs to be explained where they've drawn the lines and why they drew the lines that way," says Hibernian head coach David Gray as he questions the VAR decision to rule out a Kieron Bowie effort for offside in his side's 2-2 draw at Livingston. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Image source, SNSHibernian head coach David Gray: "We were way below where we needed to be. We know we need to be miles better.
"We came up short in a game we were twice ahead in and had chances to win. If I'm honest, we didn't do enough to win the game. That's a reflection on me and my team. I set the team up; it's my responsibility."
Image source, SNSHibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa says head coach David Gray has been "really supportive" as he continues to adapt to Scottish football.
The 21-year-old has moved from Swiss side Young Boys for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal, with Hibs holding the option for a further 12 months.
Chaiwa played in big games for Young Boys last season, including against Galatasaray, Celtic and Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.
Hibs are fourth in the Scottish Premiership, following a stop-start opening to their league campaign and narrowly missing out on qualification for European league phase football.
Chaiwa is full of praise for Gray, saying: "For me, I might say, he's really, first and foremost, he's really supportive. And he always encourages me.
"And what I can say is that he's somebody who really appreciates when the player is doing well. And what he's expecting from me, I might say, it's not a lot.
"Yeah, when I joined the club, he specifically told me, 'we're looking for a player who is like you, dynamic, who is able to go box to box. So, this is the kind of style that we want.'
"So, it's up to me whether I can do it or not."
Chaiwa's father, Changa, is a huge influence on his career too, having been a professional footballer himself for Zambia Super League club Power Dynamo.
"He's a man who's always on me each and every time when he watches the game," the Zambia international said.
"The first thing when I reach home, he's always on the call with me, telling me the mistakes or you need to do this or you need to do that.
"So, I might say he's more like a leader, my mentor.
"I never got to see him play, no, but his former team-mates used to tell me stories about him. I would just joke around with him.
"I tell him that a long time ago, football is more like you're just playing for fun. He would say, 'no, you need to be serious. You have to do it with passion, with commitment. Everything, the little details matter'."
And Chaiwa added: "There was one time they were telling me he got injured. He had a broken bone.
"Apparently they had to travel away. Two days later on, he went to the physio. He told him, 'no, you need to have an operation'.
"He said. 'no'. So what he decided to do, he took like two planks and tied them to his leg and started running.
"Then when the plane took off, he shouted, 'Doc! Doc!' When the doctor asked him what was wrong, he just pointed to his leg like, 'I can't play, I can't play'. Because the leg was so sore and so big. He was a very serious man!"
Image source, SNSDante Polvara has made 79 Aberdeen appearances
Hibernian are closely watching midfielder Dante Polvara, who is out of contract with Aberdeen next summer and has yet to agree an extension. (Record), external
Image source, SNSLivingston are still without Shane Blaney, Adam Montgomery (calf), Connor McLennan (concussion), Cammy Kerr (ankle), Ryan McGowan (calf) and Aidan Denholm (hamstring).
Hibernian head coach David Gray has a few players nursing "bumps and bruises" after Wednesday's defeat by Rangers but is hopeful they will all be available.
Warren O'Hora (shoulder) is doubtful while Dylan Levitt (appendix), Rudi Molotnikov (ankle), Joe Newell (groin) and Alasana Manneh (hamstring) are still missing.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDavid Gray has warned Hibs not to underestimate struggling Livingston as his side look to reclaim third place on Saturday.
Hibs were leapfrogged by Rangers after losing to the Ibrox side in midweek and now face bottom club Livingston, who they have beaten 2-0 away and 4-0 at home this season.
"Those two results are irrelevant. I think this league shows you that anyway, look how tight it is," said head coach Gray.
"Going to Livingston, what challenges that has, the astroturf is something else that we don't play on every single week, so you need to contend with that. It's certainly not an excuse. The players are ready for it.
"They have been there already this season, so it's not completely new. That's a big thing. Davie [Martindale] will have the team ready to go. They always are. It'll be a tough fixture.
"They'll be looking for a reaction from the last time they played them, we're well aware of that.
"We know the challenges it presents but we see it as an opportunity to end the week with three points.
"If we can do that, we move back into third and that's our only focus going into the game."
Image source, SNSDavid Martindale is hoping Livingston can capitalise on Hibernian's request to play his side within three days of hosting Rangers.
Saturday's rescheduled Scottish Premiership meeting in West Lothian was initially due to take place on Wednesday, 3 December.
But, with Hibs and Livi facing the prospect of a free weekend due to the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, the Edinburgh club asked if it could be brought forward in order to ease their busy winter schedule.
Martindale, whose side had no game in midweek while Hibs were losing 1-0 at home to Rangers, was only too willing to oblige.
"Hibs came to us and offered us the schedule, so if you look at the fact Hibs were playing Rangers on Wednesday night, it's a bit of a no-brainer if a team comes to us to play within 48 hours of another game when we've had the benefit of having a Saturday to Saturday," the manager said.
Livingston sit bottom of the table without a win in nine outings and must make the most of any small advantage.
"They've got a big squad," Martindale said of Saturday's fourth-top visitors. "They obviously think they're more than capable of picking points up, albeit they've had a big game on Wednesday night, so the thinking behind it for us was it was a good time to try and play them.
"Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday is not a fixture schedule I like. It's not a game I would have been asking to play if we had a game on the Wednesday night and the opponent never had a game on the Saturday, so we need to try and use that to our advantage."
