'Gambling & guessing' - Gray faces up to Hibs crisis

WHAT HAPPENED
Hibernian have slipped into a run of poor results and performances after coming so close to reaching the Conference League group stage. Ten days ago they were mere minutes from making history in Europe, but a late collapse against Gent again ended their progress at the playoff stage; domestic form has faltered since.

Following a Scottish Cup victory over Dundee, Hibs lost the first Edinburgh derby of the season to Hearts. They then suffered a 2-0 defeat at St Johnstone on Sunday at McDiarmid Park, a game in which head coach David Gray described the team as passive and criticised their defending for “gambling and guessing” in the box. Gray appeared dejected after the match, and critics and supporters have voiced confusion about the side’s direction.

KEY CONTEXT
- Hibernian had never previously reached the league phase (group stage) of European competition; they were on the verge of achieving that milestone before the Gent exit.
- The Gent defeat was a late collapse that stopped their progression at the final hurdle for a second consecutive year.
- The build-up to the St Johnstone game included a Scottish Cup win over Dundee and a derby defeat at Easter Road, raising tensions around form and morale.

WHY IT MATTERS
- The European exit represented both a missed sporting milestone and a potential financial opportunity Hibs could not capitalise on. That setback, followed by inconsistent domestic results, has heightened scrutiny of Gray’s management.
- Defensive frailties in the St Johnstone match — including a simple tap-in conceded from close range and a conceded penalty after the captain was substituted at half-time — reinforced concerns about organisation and concentration, issues Gray acknowledged as his responsibility.
- With observers publicly questioning how the team intends to create goals, there is growing doubt about the clarity of the team’s approach on the pitch.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- How Gray addresses the defensive issues he identified: will changes be made to personnel, positioning or tactics to stop conceding from simple chances?
- Whether the players can re-establish a coherent attacking strategy — commentators have said it is unclear how Hibs are trying to score — and whether any individuals will step up to provide leadership on the field.
- The immediate response in results and performances following this sequence of defeats will be a key indicator of whether the squad can arrest the slide.

KEY FACTS
- Hibernian were six minutes from reaching the Conference League group stage ten days ago but were eliminated by Gent at the playoff stage.
- Hibs lost the Edinburgh derby to Hearts between the Gent exit and the St Johnstone match.
- David Gray said his team were “gambling and guessing” in the box and accepted responsibility for the defensive display.
- Hibs conceded a simple close-range tap-in and gave away a penalty in the St Johnstone defeat; Jamie McGrath was noted as a positive performer in that game.
- Hibernian have failed to win any of their last 18 league matches in which they conceded first.