Hibs need performances turned all the way up to 11 after Ibrox flop - three fixtures that will define season
David Gray’s Easter Road characters braced for Dundee United, Hearts and Aberdeen challenges
Hibs are a team in need of something dramatic. A sudden plot twist in a season that, with the exception of that gripping European prelude to the domestic campaign, has developed a very definite case of second-act doldrums.
In fact, as everyone with an ounce of humanity is both mourning the loss and remembering the brilliance of Rob Reiner, it feels appropriate to suggest that they could do with turning every dial all the way up to 11. As Spinal Tap’s Nigel Tufnel himself might put it, a little extra oomph at the top end certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
Struggling to find momentum and left frustrated by an inability to lay a finger on a bang average Rangers team at Ibrox last night, David Gray’s men are not – as yet – in danger of being cast in the role of mockumentary laughing stock. There’s still plenty to be salvaged from season 2025-26, with the fact that Hibs are still safely inside the top six providing a sharp rejoinder to any talk of crisis.
Yet the fixtures between now and the turn of the year will define, you feel, whether 2026 arrives to hollers of optimism … or a dark feeling of dread. There is no wiggle room, over the next three games, for further backsliding.
Edinburgh Derby looming large
Dundee United away, the second Edinburgh Derby of the season – at home this time – and then Aberdeen at Easter Road. A hat-trick of brilliant opportunities cunningly disguised as threats.
While no-one expects Hibs to emulate the record-breaking unbeaten run that saw them rocket up the Scottish Premiership table over the second half of last season, the fact that they’ve not managed to put together a three-game winning series at any stage of the current campaign is a concern. A trio of triumphs over United, Hearts and the Dons would be a phenomenal way to correct that troubling statistic.
Between now and Saturday, Gray and his coaching staff will be desperately – but calmly, always calmly – trying to right the wrongs exposed at Ibrox. Let’s take a look at the key talking points from a 1-0 loss … and look at what happens next.
An incomplete performance in a poor game
On the face of it, you could make a case that Hibs did pretty well in a lot of departments last night. They had almost 50 per cent possession, completed near enough the same number of passes as the home side – and, as the home crowd’s baying and moaning indicated, won a majority of duels on the ground and in the air.
But let’s not pretend that this is a good Rangers team. They’re barely even a passable facsimile of the title-winning sides who have graced Ibrox down the decades.
Danny Rohl’s nervous ninnies were there for the taking last night. That Hibs couldn’t muster any sort of threat in the final third, a clear source of frustration for Gray, does not bode well heading into a crucial stage of the season.
Key characters riding off into the sunset
Rocky Bushiri was already on his way to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s training camp ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations by the time Hibs kicked off at Ibrox. And now both Jordan Obita and Miguel Chaiwa will be away to AFCON, joining Uganda and Zambia respectively.
When clubs sign African players, they know this is a possibility. FIFA’s inability to fix the international calendar – has someone considered offering them a shed load of money? – means European teams losing key performers for up to a month while this major tournament, a hugely significant international event, is played out.
Obita was at his dogged best against Rangers last night, demonstrating his defensive value at left wingback, left centre-half and left back. Chaiwa, meanwhile, brought a lot of energy to the team as a substitute early in the second half.
Both will be missed by Hibs fans, who will wish them well in Morocco. But not too well …
Elie Youan miscast in role of saviour …
With Martin Boyle having been unwell and Thibault Klidje working his way back from injury, Gray didn’t have many options when it came to picking a partner for Kieron Bowie. And so Youan made just his second start since Boxing Day of 2024.
For what it’s worth, the Frenchman did as well as could have been expected, Gray saying: “I think he was good. I thought he picked up really good positions, he was bright.
“He was probably another one who has more quality in the final third than he showed. He had a few chances, a few snapshots that he maybe snatched at a little bit.
“But he's not played a lot of football. So I think there's an element of that.
“He was very much part of a team that was good until the final third. And I think that's the bit that lets us down tonight.
“Nothing to do with effort, nothing to do with being outplayed. We went more than toe-to-toe with Rangers for large periods, especially the first half. But unfortunately the big moments went against us in terms of not defending a set-piece - and not forcing Jack Butland into enough saves.”