Hibernian

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

It's clear to see the Gordon family are heavily invested - financially and emotionally - in Hibs.

Not for the first time, club owner Ian Gordon last week put his hand in his pocket and stuck £40k behind the bar at the fan zone for travelling Hibees in Ghent.

It's refreshing to see, and not taken for granted, an owner appears to be learning what it means to be a football club custodian.

Gordon drew suspicion and criticism from supporters when he was slipped in quietly as head of recruitment while his dad, the late Ron Gordon, was running the club. So fierce was some of the abuse, Ian could have been forgiven for wanting no more to do with Hibs.

It is to the Gordon family's credit that they carried on Ron's work and financial backing.

They've kept ticket prices down for home European ties so far this season, along with the League Cup game against Partick Thistle, and season tickets stayed in line with the previous campaign - frozen from the season before that.

With the club reporting significant operating losses in the last accounts, you could understand the owners wanting to squeeze a bit more out of the support but they've done the opposite.

They deserve some success at the club. So far this summer we've held on to our most valued players (though that could change in the coming days) and have bolstered the squad, most recently with highly-rated Jacob Devaney, who shone last season on loan at St Mirren from Manchester United.

Hibs have an option to buy the young midfielder and this is yet more evidence of the owners putting their money where their mouth is - or it would be, if they shouted about it.

Typically though, they go about their business quietly and modestly, and they're doing the club proud at the moment.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

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Jacob Devaney is targeting silverware with Hibernian this season after signing on loan from Manchester United.

The 19-year-old midfielder had a stint on loan at St Mirren last season and Hibs hold an option to make the deal permanent.

Having impressed during pre-season with the Red Devils, Devaney wants to kick on in Scotland.

"I'm really excited to be here," he told HibsTV. "I've been in training the past two days and I've really enjoyed it - the feel of the club and the training ground.

"The size of the club [was what attracted me]. Playing here last season played a big part in me coming here and European competition as well - hopefully we qualify on Thursday night.

"I know the expectation of Hibs, of the fans. I want to push for titles, whether that's the league or cups, and obviously getting to Europe as well."

Despite his tender age, Devaney believes he can lead from the front for David Gray's side.

"It was definitely the right decision for me to come up to Scotland," he said.

"I suit the style of play and I see Hibs being the next step in my journey.

"I can dominate the ball and hopefully get us playing. I see myself as a bit of a leader so I'd like to think I can bring that side of my game to Hibs as well."

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Hibernian have agreed a deal to sign United States youth international Colton Swan, who will join the Scottish Premiership club in December.

The 19-year-old is signing from Charleston Battery and will remain with his current side until the end of the 2026 USL Championship season.

The forward has scored 11 goals and provided three assists in the second tier of US football this season.

"Colton's a talented young striker who is certainly one for the future, and we feel he has attributes that will suit Scottish football," said Hibs head coach David Gray.

"He's quick, direct and works incredibly hard for the team - and he's got a real hunger to develop and improve his game."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Ghent

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You'd be forgiven for thinking Jason Kerr and Warren O'Hora have played together for years, such is their understanding in the Hibs backline.

Two leaders, the pair - beside Jordan Obita or Jack Iredale - have struck up a strong relationship already in the early, albeit important, stage of the season for David Gray's side.

And they were at the heart of an impressive result in Belgium as Hibs head back to Edinburgh for the second leg of their Conference League play-off against Gent in the driving seat following the goalless draw.

At the Planet Group Arena, Gent naturally dominated but failed to capitalise on their hefty possession and glut of chances to truly test Raphael Sallinger in goal.

It was the proverbial meat and drink for sturdy centre-backs O'Hora and Kerr, who are also roommates on the continent with Hibs. They'll be hoping there are a few more in store this season.

"Jason is an experienced player, someone who has played a lot of games," O'Hora told BBC Sport Scotland after the stalemate.

"I played against him when he was at Wigan, so I knew what he was like.

"He's fitted in as if he's been here all his life. He supports the club himself, he's an unbelievable leader. You can see why he's been captain at other clubs and he's grown, he's getting better every time.

"We've been rooming together as well - he snores a lot!

"But seriously, we've got competition now. Rocky [Bushiri] is missing through injury, which is sad for us, but there's healthy competition there.

"Jason has come in and not put a foot wrong, so fair play to him."

Few things went wrong for Hibs in Ghent, outside Owen Elding's penalty being saved by Davy Roef. But still, the Hibees head back home with a heap of belief on their quest for history.

"Internally, we have a lot of belief in ourselves," the defender added.

"We believe, as a group and a squad, that we can achieve something. We want to do it for everyone associated to the club and we have a brilliant opportunity to do that.

"We won't get ahead of ourselves, we'll just concentrate on the task ahead of us."

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Former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan is backing David Gray's side to make history by dispatching Gent at home on Thursday to reach the Conference League.

The play-off tie is on a knife-edge after a goalless first leg in Belgium, where Hibs defended stoutly and could have won had Owen Elding's early penalty not been saved.

"Obviously a slender scoreline and, yes, it would have been ideal to come back with a 1-0 win if Elding scores the penalty," said Allan.

"But I just feel Easter Road next week, the atmosphere, the crowd fully behind you, Hibs will manage to come through that and make a bit of history."

Former Partick Thistle striker and boss Kris Doolan agrees that Hibs will progress from the qualifying rounds for the first time - and says the Easter Road factor is key.

"It's a solid performance as the the manager said after the game. And when you come back to Edinburgh in front of a sellout crowd, they'll really fancy their chances," said Doolan.

"The crowd is is massive at Hibs and I feel they'll smell blood. They've shown that in a couple of games now when they come back to Easter Road, that they can start games well and get after you. I think they will definitely go through."

Listen to more European analysis and reaction on the BBC's Scottish football podcast

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United youngster Jacob Devaney is in talks with Hibernian over a loan move back to the Scottish Premiership.

Devaney was captain of United's Premier League 2 side for the first half of last season, before moving to St Mirren for his first extended stint in senior football.

The 19-year-old impressed in his time at the club, making 18 appearances, including 16 starts.

Devaney returned to United for pre-season and featured in the first two matches, against Wrexham and Norwegian side Rosenborg, scoring in the latter, despite appearing in central defence rather than his preferred midfield role.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international said this summer his main aim was to play first-team football for United, but accepted he may have to spend the season on loan to gain further experience.

It is understood there has been huge interest in Devaney. Talks with Hibs have reached an advanced stage, although the deal is not done.

Hibs drew 0-0 with Belgian side Gent in the away leg of their Conference League play-off last night. The Edinburgh club are bidding to reach the league phase of a European competition for the first time.

We asked for your views on Hibernian's 0-0 draw away to Gent - where Owen Elding missed a penalty - in the Conference League play-off first leg.

Here are some of your comments:

Peem: An impressive away performance in Europe. Lacked a cutting edge but ball retention back to middle was really good, especially second half. The whole team deserves enormous credit but, as David Gray says, it's only half-time. Hopefully, that performance might go some way to silencing the vocal minority of Hibs supporters who only see negativity when they watch matches.

Alec: Best performance so far this season. Shame about the missed pen but we've given ourselves a good chance against Gent who won their first two league games. Jordan Obita is still a liability at the back. He almost cost us a goal again and I'd be starting him on the bench.

Deborah: Excellent performance, strong defensively, and hopefully the penalty doesn't matter. Look forward to the second leg at Easter Road, feel Hibs will go through.

Sandy: Brilliant defensive performance led by captain Warren O'Hora. Solid for the entire match. We bring this back to Easter Road next week knowing this is now a winnable tie. I hope going forward, however, we can be more creative in the final third. It's the only thing missing from potentially a real quality Hibs side.

Jim: Can't complain. Another clean sheet and a guaranteed sellout at Easter Road next Thursday.

William: Great result away, shame about the penalty - wonder why Josh Campbell didn't take it after his strike against Rangers. Will need to be far more positive at home but have given ourselves a great chance.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "A brilliant away performance at this stage. The player executed the game plan well, managed it well, third clean sheet in a row as well.

"It's a really good start to the tie, we've kept it alive and it's all to play for in the second leg.

"One thing we can't do is affect things that happen in the past. These things happen, we've missed the penalty. What I like is the reaction from that, real control in the game.

"We didn't carry enough threat, but the players showed real courage and we were worth the clean sheet. Massive performance and massive result, away from home in Europe against a very good side.

"Physically we were excellent. I don't like singling players out, but the two boys in the middle of the pitch especially. They've got a lot of threats, but we restricted them to very few chances.

"The discipline, organisation, but also belief in the game plan [was pleasing]. It is only half time in the tie, I'm not getting carried away here. We've achieved nothing yet.

"The players, if any of them had any doubt, they certainly believe in it now."

Hibernian are well-placed to reach the Conference League proper for the first time - despite Owen Elding's missed penalty - after holding KAA Gent to a goalless draw in their play-off round first leg in Belgium.

Read the match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Hibs head coach David Gray has "turned a corner" from a sticky start this season, says Joelle Murray, as the Easter Road club approach a massive Conference League play-off.

Hibs are bidding to reach a league phase of European competition for the first time and take on Gent in tonight's first leg in Belgium.

Gray's side opened their European campaign with defeat by Malisheva, before winning the second leg to progress, then lost their Premiership opener at home to Motherwell.

However, they have picked up with an aggregate win over Shkendija and a victory away to Rangers.

"David Gray has certainly, from that point, turned a corner with the squad," Hibs women manager and former Scotland player Murray told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"We talk about transition and it's not easy when you've got players, regardless of how many players it is out and in. He's now got the players settled in a rhythm.

"[Gent are] a very difficult team to play against. They're on a decent run of form but so are Hibs. You can really now see the players are gelling together.

"I'm excited to see how this one plays out because it's a step up again in European opposition for Hibs."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Planet Group Arena, Belgium

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You never know who's watching...

That's very much Josh Mulligan's approach as the midfielder hopes to impress in Hibernian's Conference League play-off against Gent.

The 23-year-old has been subject to interest from Italy and England, but the Scot had eyes closer to home in mind, in the form of new Scotland head coach, Sebastien Pocognoli.

While David Gray's Hibs hope to smash through the target they set on day one of pre-season - creating history by advancing to European league-phase football - the former Dundee player, who was called up to Steve Clarke's squad but has yet to make an appearance, is planning to catch Pocognoli's attention.

When it was highlighted putting out a side from the national team's boss' home country couldn't do any arm, Mulligan replied with a smile: "I know. He might be watching the game, you just never know who's watching.

"I don't know the new manager's thinking. I think everyone will be really looking to do well and try and get in that squad

"It's just what you do on the pitch. You'll get your rewards for what you do on the pitch."

What we do know, though, is Mulligan is not getting caught up in transfer speculation.

"I don't get too far ahead of myself," he added. "I always try and stick to what's going on on the pitch, I just don't want to get in the way of anything, really."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

There was a lot to like about Hibernian's performance last week in North Macedonia.

Playing on a difficult surface in a hot and stifling atmosphere, they rarely looked in trouble and, when Shkendija did press late on, the defence stood strong.

The tie could easily have gone the other way, but the discipline and spirit shown by everyone on the pitch were a joy to behold.

Scottish clubs have often struggled after returning from a demanding European trip, but Hibs got the job done against Partick Thistle to maintain their pursuit of League Cup silverware.

Now it is on to another European encounter, where Gent await in Belgium.

They are a side who do not score loads of goals but are miserly at the other end. In their six games so far this season Rik De Mil's side have netted six, with just two conceded. That suggests a team that are strong defensively and difficult to break down.

With the first leg away from home, this would be an ideal opportunity for Hibs to lay down a marker and send a message that they are a team to be reckoned with.

The prize is significant. Reaching the league stage of European competition for the first time would create Hibs history, while the additional revenue would of course be welcome.

This is a huge tie for David Gray's side.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Planet Group Arena, Belgium

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"I think they've got a wee bit of everything," David Gray says of Hibernian's Conference League opponents, KAA Gent.

Nae pressure, then, Hibs.

The Belgian Pro League outfit host Gray's side in the first leg of their play-off tie and he is under no illusions "two complete performances" will be required in their quest to create history and reach the group/league phase of a European competition for the first time.

"This is by far the toughest test we've had in Europe so far," the head coach told BBC Scotland in Ghent on Wednesday evening, "but it's one the players need to look forward to.

"It's going to take a huge effort to try and get over the line. It's going to take two complete performances, because it is a side that are used to playing in Europe, they're playing at a very good level in the Belgian League, always up near the top.

"They've got real quality throughout their squad, a real good balance within it - a good bit of youth and experience - really good athletes that will certainly hurt you on their day, so we need to be ready for that."

But Gray wasn't only focused on Gent. He says his squad ought to come into the tire with "all the confidence in the world," especially how they've navigated the last couple of hectic weeks.

"I think over the last couple of seasons we've been very fortunate in trying to create our own history and tomorrow's another opportunity to go and do that," he added.

"It's also important to remind the players that they deserve to be here because of what we've achieved so far.

"Some of the results and performances, especially away from home, in Europe last year were memorable and nice to be involved in.

"We're going to need another one of them tomorrow night to give us the best chance to get through."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Planet Group Arena, Belgium

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David Gray spoke to BBC Scotland before Hibernian's Conference League play-off tie first leg against KAA Gent on Thursday.

Here are the best bits from the head coach:

• Having the opportunity to play for European league phase football was the aim on day one of pre-season, and Gray insists his players have "earned the right" to achieve that.

• His side are "in a really good frame of mind" to create history and they are excited by the challenge.

• The squad is "getting healthier by the day" and although a few picked up a few niggles after Partick Thistle, everyone took part in training on Wednesday, whether it was modified or a full session.

• Gray believes Gent are a very "balanced" side with a mix of youth and experience, quality and a number of "really good athletes" who can hurt opponents on their day.

• The second leg will be in mind, but he's not going to be happy with a draw or defeat, winning on Thursday will be the message.

• On his "rollercoaster" 100 games in charge, Gray reiterates it "might not look like I enjoy it, but I do, I am thoroughly enjoying it" and adds he's excited because he knows there is more to come from this group.

• Along with the incredible travelling fans again, he hopes to share "a special night" and to send them home happy.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Ghent, Belgium

Image source, Getty Images

Owen Elding. Nathan Lowe. Felix Passlack.

Three names - in addition to "the two centre-backs" - that Gent head coach Rik De Mil highlighted as he previewed his side's Conference League play-off first leg at home to Hibernian on Thursday.

But he was quick to add it's "the collective, the combination" that is the biggest strength of David Gray's team - who will be "the best opponent we've faced this season".

"They're a really good team, it's a really good challenge for us," former goalkeeper De Mil said.

"They showed already when they played against Rangers, they have the qualities.

"It's a very good mix for me between some young players and experienced.

"Lowe and Elding have really good qualities, but then you have Passlack and the two centre-backs who are experienced.

"They have several qualities and they can play also in different styles - but it's about the dynamic of the team, not two or three individual qualities.

"It's one collective goal, what they do collective-wise and as a combination is key - it's what the rest do.

"So, in both ways, it's going to be a nice challenge for us, against the best opponent this season we've played against."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

It's been a huge week for David Gray.

He was able to say with some justification that Hibs have had a "strong start" to the season in the wake of our 0-0 draw in North Macedonia, which set up a Conference League play-off against Gent.

Gray has overcome early-season adversity - a shock defeat in Kosovo left a large section of the support pushing for change, while his case was not helped by defeat to Motherwell in the league opener.

But we've seen the Hibs boss turn around these situations before, and Sunday's win against Partick Thistle in the Premier Sports Cup was another potential banana skin avoided.

The past few games haven't been great on the eye, but it's a results business and Gray is right to feel vindicated by pointing to the start we've had to the season.

I'm hoping the noise around his future dies down, but I'd be kidding myself if I claimed everyone was happy with how we've been playing.

Considering the schedule and the key players he's been without, Gray deserves some slack from the support.

A good result on Thursday in Belgium will go a long way to keeping fans onside, but in the meantime Gray deserves huge credit for finding ways to dig out results even if we're not playing at our best.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Hibernian are finalising a deal to sign striker Colton Swan from Charleston Battery, with the 19-year-old set to move once the USL Championship season is over in November. Tom Bogert on X, external

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Jack Iredale praised Hibernian's character and physicality in Sunday's narrow Premier Sports Cup victory over Partick Thistle.

Owen Elding's goal sealed a 1-0 win and a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Ross County in Dingwall.

Hibs have played five matches already this month and have four more to come, starting with a trip to Gent in Conference League qualifying on Thursday.

"Really good result considering the past week," Iredale told HibsTV.

"The boys were excellent for the most part in terms of the physicality that was needed. Now we look forward to Thursday.

"Character has already been tested this season and we've stood up to it every time."

Iredale has missed most of the start of the season after appendicitis surgery, external, but played 61 minutes against Thistle.

"It's been an odd few weeks," the Australian said. "Hopefully just get that rhythm and match fitness back quick."