Anything could become of Hibs’ season

HIBS enter the Christmas period of fixtures in fifth place in the league, curiously sitting 12 points above the relegation play-off spot and eight points off second place, so, literally anything could become of the Hibees’ 2025/26 league campaign.

Were it not for too many draws and a rediscovered habit of not being able to win in the matches where the fans would most like to see a victory—matches against Hearts, Celtic and Rangers—the green jerseys would be in a far stronger position than they are now.

Back on November 8, the Hibees travelled to Paisley to take on St Mirren. The Buddies thrive from playing a counter-attacking system, but David Gray’s men saw them coming and were ready for them. The Cabbage played St Mirren at their own game and ended up coming away with a superb 3-0 victory, thanks to St Mirren having two goals chopped off and three fine goals by Chris Cadden, Josh Mulligan and Miguel Chaiwa.

After the international break, Hibs were back at Easter Road for what seemed to many like the first time in months. Dundee seem to guarantee a win to anyone who plays them at the moment and the Hibees were no different, cruising to an easy 2-0 win, with goals from Kieron Bowie and Jamie McGrath.

Three days after that easy win, Hibs were humbled 2-0 at Fir Park by a Motherwell side who are easily the best footballing outfit in the country at the moment. Hibs lost Grant Hanley to a red card in the first half, but the truth is, whether with ten men or 11, this wasn’t Hibs’ night—the most interesting thing produced by anyone in green and white that night being a series of explosions from fans in the away end playing with fireworks.

Next up, Hibs faced Martin O’Neill’s Celtic at Easter Road. Hibs had actually triumphed the last time that they had faced one of O’Neill’s Celtic teams, a fine 3-1 win at Celtic Park in 2005, when Scott Brown, Garry O’Connor and Ivan Sproule were on the scoresheet.

This time, Hibs did their usual ‘shooting themselves in the foot’ routine against the Glasgow side and found themselves 2-0 down after 30 minutes, thanks to a comedy of defensive errors. Martin Boyle pulled one back from the penalty spot early in the second half but ultimately it was too high a mountain for Gray’s men to climb, the champions leaving the capital with all three points.

Edinburgh’s green and white got back to winning ways a week later, by thumping Falkirk 3-0 at Easter Road, thanks to another Boyle penalty and a double from the back-on-form Bowie (above). The latter seems certain to feature in Scotland’s World Cup Finals squad in six months time. How nice it would be were he still to be a Hibernian player when that epic tournament begins.

Unfortunately, as The Irish Voice went to press, Hibs’ poor record against Rangers continued after they suffered a 1-0 loss at Ibrox thanks to a first-half goal by Emmanuel Fernandez.

Hibs aren’t far-off being a really good side in what’s the most open league campaign for years. With a couple of savvy squad additions in January, Hibs really could push for second place and win the Scottish Cup. Their first hurdle to regaining that particular trophy is an interesting one—a trip to East End Park to take on Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline— and some people claim that Scottish football is boring?

Everyone at The Irish Voice would like to offer our sincerest condolences to Neil on the recent loss of his father, Gerry, at what must be a difficult time for the former Hibs and Celtic boss. You’re always in our prayers, Neil.