Marks out of ten don’t really give you the full picture. Even in this age of data-first recruitment and hallucinating AI, an entire season’s worth of toil and struggle shouldn’t be reduced to a simple numerical figure. Or even a complex set of calculations.
When you think about Hibs and the crazy campaign they’ve just completed, do you really want to put a number on how Martin Boyle played? How do you measure the impact of someone like Rocky Bushiri, who would surely pick up extra points for timing in a season that produced a 17-game unbeaten run in the league, as Hibs climbed from rock bottom to third place in the table?
We’ve taken a different approach. Not as scientific, maybe. But based on the gut feeling you might get when considering the overall contribution of any individual player.
So here are your one-word (where possible AND printable) verdicts on how every player - barring the odd fleeting figure with one or two appearances - contributed to season 2024-25. A campaign unlikely to be forgotten any time soon.
21. Mykola Kuharevich – Powerful
The Swansea loanee will never be everyone’s favourite. But, boy, does he do some damage when let loose. Injury and a couple of knocks to his confidence seemed to leave the Ukrainian striker drained for a spell in mid-season. Finished strongly – and wants to return next year. | SNS Group
22. Martin Boyle – Unplayable
What a season. Never mind the 20 goals, his highest ever haul for Hibs – and in a season disrupted by not one but two painful injuries. As stand-in skipper, line-leading threat and arch-nuisance, Boyle more than deserved to see that extension clause in his contract triggered. One more year. How could he possibly top the last campaign? | SNS Group
23. Dwight Gayle – Vital
What a contribution he made in his final season as a professional footballer. A Premier League veteran who might easily have stopped short at putting in an honest shift, Gayle really bought into the whole Hibernian experience. Scoring a derby winner at Tynecastle is a memory that will live with him for a long time. And no-one at Hibs is likely to forget his contributions to the squad. | SNS Group
24. Kieron Bowie – Potential
Can’t wait for Steve Clarke to leave him sitting in the main stand at Hampden for the big game against Iceland on Friday week … All joking aside, the former Fulham and Raith centre forward has earned his shot at the senior international set-up, having suffered his serious hamstring injury while starring for Scotland Under-21s back in September. Still needs a proper pre-season. Imagine how good he’s going to be when fully match fit … Photo: Ross Parker - SNS Group