Hibs v Aberdeen ratings and report as Easter Road side overcome striker shortage to close gap on leaders

Hibs ended 2025 on a high as they overcame the loss of both main strikers to carve out a vital 2-0 win over Aberdeen, building on their weekend victory over league leaders Hearts – and closing the gap on the Scottish Premiership’s top two with a precious three points. Thibault Klidje’s fourth goal of the season and a Junior Hoilett injury-time strike did the damage for the home side at Easter Road.

In the 150th league meeting between these clubs, David Gray’s men recovered from a lifeless first half to dominate the Dons after the break. And crucially, they found the net when it mattered to secure a second straight league win for only the third time this season.

With Kieron Bowie missing from the match day squad through illness and Martin Boyle limping out of play just after the half-hour mark, Hibs could certainly claim to be short of firepower in their first game since putting three past Hearts at the weekend. Boyle had looked their most likely source of goal threat, lobbing an early effort just over the bar, before succumbing to a knee injury that required a lengthy check; the fact that the Socceroos striker left the pitch under his own steam was hopefully a good sign.

After a first half of almost zero in the way of entertainment, Hibs created a couple of openings within the first three or four minutes of the second half kicking off, with substitute Elie Youan involved in both. He was just unable to latch onto a Josh Campbell cutback when the midfielder might have shot – and the French forward then sent a rasping right-footed drive just wide of Dimitar Mitov’s left-hand post.

Mitov then punched clear a Klidje bicycle kick and had to look sharp to turn away a Josh Mulligan left-footed drive from a tight angle. Hibs were building pressure as the hour mark approached.

Just as the clock was about to click over to show 60 minutes, they were rewarded. Thanks to a counter-attack launched by Josh Mulligan winning the ball on the edge of his own box – and driving forward in possession.

Once it was worked to Youan on the left wing, the Frenchman played a sublime little one-two with Jamie McGrath, then crossed for Klidje to apply an improvised finish that left Mitov flailing at thin air. Hibs were now in control.

There was an uncomfortably long VAR check before a Kevin Nisbet ‘equaliser’ was disallowed for offside. And a few groans when the fourth official signalled eight minutes of time added on – most of it accounting for lengthy treatment required by Mitov.

The Dons goalie certainly looked a little pained as he conceded at his near post within seconds of the board going up, Hoilett’s shot squirming past the man in yellow and trundling over the line. Victory sees Hibs stay in fifth place – but they’re now within 10 points of the lead and, with Celtic also wobbling, looking well placed to get closer to the summit in the early weeks of 2026.