Just ten days after falling agonizingly short of European history with a capitulation against Gent, Hibernian find themselves in deep crisis. After an interim victory over Dundee, the Edinburgh derby loss to Hearts was followed by a lacklustre draw at St Johnstone, leaving fans venting their frustrations at head coach David Gray.
Gray, already celebrated for leading the club to Scottish Cup glory, cut a dejected figure at McDiarmid Park. The defeat means Hibs have now failed to win any of their past 18 league matches when conceding first. Jason Kerr, the boyhood hero who captained St Johnstone to their 2021 double, allowed Josh Fowler a simple tap-in, while captain Martin Boyle, who was substituted at halftime, conceded a clumsy penalty.
“The manner in which we lost the two goals today summed up our first-half performance,” Gray told BBC Sport Scotland. “We were nowhere near aggressive enough… gambling and guessing in the box rather than staying goal side.”
Former Scotland defender Charlie Mulgrew was scathing in his assessment. “I don’t know how they’re trying to score goals, I don’t know what they’re trying to do,” Mulgrew said. “They completely changed the midfield on Thursday, they made two changes at half-time today, I don’t see what they’re trying to do. It’s not like they have a style they are hammering home at.”
Concerns extend beyond tactics. Nathan Lowe, on loan from Stoke City, has flattered to deceive since arriving, yet Gray persists with long balls to the 20-year-old. Defensively, the situation has worsened with Grant Hanley leaving with a hip issue, following Jordan Obita’s calf problem against Hearts. The absence of Warren O’Hora, who left for Leicester, has also been felt.
Despite assuring he “still has the group,” pressure is mounting. With a League Cup quarter-final against Ross County and home games against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen looming, many believe only three wins will suffice. Fan reactions on social media were blunt, with many calling Gray’s tenure “tick tock” and accusing him of having lost the dressing room.
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