Hibernian: After an impressive victory, could David Gray's team be aiming for the top?
When Hibernian delivered a commanding performance in the second half to overcome Aberdeen, it was no surprise that head coach David Gray dubbed it a "huge win." This victory not only followed a significant derby triumph against league leaders Hearts but also came despite the absence of several key players.
With this win, Gray's squad is now just four points shy of third-place Rangers, although they have played one additional match. Their goal remains to secure a spot in the top three for two consecutive seasons. While they trail their city rivals by ten points, it isn't far-fetched to consider that Hibs could once again be contenders at the summit come 2026, especially given their remarkable 17-match unbeaten streak from last season.
"I'm thrilled for the players; this was a huge win after all the effort put into the derby," Gray shared with BBC Scotland. "We discussed the need for a strong start and to build on that momentum—truthfully, I felt the first half was a bit lackluster. That was understandable given the emotional toll of the previous match.
"In the second half, however, our performance improved significantly, and we fully deserved the victory. Maintaining a clean sheet is always crucial.
"Now, as we reflect on back-to-back wins, it’s essential to capitalize on our home games, which can be challenging against strong opponents."
This marked the first time Hibs have achieved consecutive league victories since early November and only the third occurrence this season overall. It’s clear that for them to ascend from their current fifth position, greater consistency is necessary.
There’s a growing sentiment that Hibs have not fully capitalized on their superior play during matches this season, a trend reflected by numerous draws in the earlier part of the campaign. However, when evaluating Hibs' roster, it becomes evident that they possess the potential to elevate their game.
Currently, only Hearts have netted more goals in the league than Hibs, and only Celtic boasts a higher expected goals rating. Gray’s squad ranks second in terms of shots on target, which indicates their ability to create scoring opportunities.
In terms of offensive capability, Hibs have an abundance of it. Kieron Bowie has found the net seven times in the league, Jamie McGrath has six, and Martin Boyle adds five goals to the tally.
Even though Bowie was sidelined due to illness and Boyle sustained an injury in the first half, the team still managed to break through Aberdeen's defense. Record signing Thibault Klidje scored his third league goal of the season, joined by Junior Hoilett, who made a notable impact off the bench.
In midfield, Josh Mulligan has emerged as one of the standout performers in the Premiership, actively contributing to both goals against Aberdeen, while the defensive lineup remains stable with a settled back three.
Notably, one of their key playmakers, Nicky Cadden, was unavailable on Tuesday, and Miguel Chaiwa, Jordan Obita, and Rocky Bushiri are currently competing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite these challenges, Hibs have navigated through two difficult home fixtures, securing maximum points. This squad demonstrated last season that they could embark on an extended run, which could work in their favor moving forward.
Only time will reveal if they can replicate that success, but the ability to follow up the emotional high of a derby win with another victory could prove pivotal for maintaining momentum.
They are now tasked with securing another victory against a struggling Kilmarnock on Saturday.
"It was crucial for Hibs to back up their performance against Hearts," commented former Hibernian midfielder Scott Allan on Sportscene. "Aberdeen represented a challenging match, but they managed to earn the three points, and the second-half display was commendable.
"Are they contenders for the title? I doubt David Gray is discussing that in the locker room. I anticipate they will strengthen certain positions in January. If they can replicate the form they displayed last season, they could very well find themselves in contention as the season progresses."
