Football Season Guide

Hibs experienced a chaotic 2023/24 campaign, and there is little evidence to suggest that the coming season might be any different. Although the management has changed, the in-house solution of David Gray smacks of convenience rather than a decision made with any particular long-range strategy. He was the player who scored the Scottish Cup winning goal in 2016 and the hope seems to be this will buy him favour from the fans. In finishing in the bottom six last season, though, Hibs certainly underperformed. They had an exciting attacking core of players but were simply not able to produce anything like the required quality on a regular basis. The challenge will be to turn this habit around. Much of the raw quality in the squad remains, although there are a few notable departures. In attack, Myziane Maolida was an exciting presence at times, finishing as joint top scorer despite playing just half a season. Meanwhile, the defence has seen the departure of experienced performers Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson, and in goal David Marshall has retired. These are all sizeable blows. Gray has sought to replace the experience in defence with players at the peak of their powers. Marvin Ekpiteta, Warren O’Hora have joined up from English lower-league football, as has goalkeeper Jordan Smith, although he will be second choice to Club Brugge loanee Josef Bursik. If the defence is now look, there are few notable additions elsewhere in the squad. During the League Cup group stages, which Hibs successfully negotiated, Rudi Molotnikov was arguably their most eye-catching player, offering quality in an attacking midfield role. It is promising for the future, especially as Elie Youan, potentially Hibs’ most exciting attacker, has been struggling with injury. Elsewhere in attack, Martin Boyle and Dylan Vente will carry much of the offensive burden. With 11 and eight goals in all competitions respectively last season, both will be hoping to improve.