Football Season Guide

Hibs achieved their goal of finishing in the top six last season but were ultimately pushed into the shadows by the performances of Edinburgh rivals Hearts. It is a situation that stung, despite David Gray’s side qualifying for Europe via a 5th-placed finish in the league. There was ultimately some regret about their performances. Hibs were capable of more but failed to show any level of consistency. This has put Gray on the back foot going into this season, and a disastrous performance against Kosovan side Malisheva has only heightened the doubts over the manager’s position. It is an uncomfortable position for the Hibees. The board have backed the manager in the summer, with none of the club’s key figures leaving in the market. The attack will be built around Ireland winger Jamie McGrath and Australia striker Martin Boyle, though equally they will be seeking bigger contributions from both after they netted 8 goals apiece last season. This lack of consistent goal threat was a problem for Hibs. Thibault Klidje was signed with the intention of being their key attacking figure, but this never materialised and he was loaned out in the winter. He is back, but how big an impact he will have remains questionable. So far, they have managed to keep hold of highly rated midfielder Josh Mulligan, who provided 5 assists, but transfer interest persists in him along with Nicky Cadden, who similarly supplied 5 decisive passes in another strong campaign. Both are key figures. Perhaps Hibs’ biggest problem has been individual errors in the defence and in goal. They have lacked a reliable centre-back, while even goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger is not the most robust. Jason Kerr has arrived from Wigan with the intention of bringing more reliability alongside Rocky Bushiri. The Hibees’ summer business does not suggest they have solved the problems they had last season, and their first competitive game only heightens that feeling.