Hibernian

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Dundee striker Simon Murray is a doubt with a knee injury while Charlie Reilly is out with a broken collarbone.

Hibs will make a late call on Nicky Cadden after he was substituted with a tight hamstring in Thursday's Europa League defeat by Midtjylland.

Lewis Miller has been missing with an ankle injury and is the subject of transfer interest from Blackburn, while captain Joe Newell is still working his way back to full fitness after a long-running groin issue.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It's fair to say Hibernian fans were reluctant to see last season end.

Other than a narrow defeat away to Aberdeen, only champions Celtic have been able to get the better of David Gray's team, domestically, in 2025 - a record everyone at the club should be proud of.

But following up a successful campaign can prove to be troublesome. They only have to ask neighbours Hearts about that.

Recruitment over the summer has gone well with key players Martin Boyle and Rocky Bushiri extending their time at Easter Road and Josh Mulligan and Jamie McGrath already looking quality additions.

But the most exciting new recruit could be the club's record buy. Few fans would have heard of Thibault Klidje before news broke of Hibs' interest.

The 24-year-old Togo International was signed by Bordeaux five years ago and last season scored 12 goals for Luzern in Switzerland. His hefty price tag will come with big expectations but like all new recruits he will require time to settle in.

The big question for everyone is can the team that was so successful last season continue that form into the new campaign?

There is positivity within the group, despite the agonising Europa League exit to Midtjylland, and Sunday's Premiership opener at a Dundee side now helmed by Steven Pressley presents a great opportunity for Hibs to start the season well.

Dundee have already lost to Alloa and Airdrie in the League Cup, and although they responded with wins over Bonnyrigg Rose and Montrose, there is no doubt they may be vulnerable.

A Hibs win would be the perfect boost for the new campaign.

Hibernian and Nuremberg have expressed an interest in Yohann Magnin, the 28-year-old defensive midfielder who has left French Ligue 2 club Clermont, with other French outfits and clubs in the Spanish second tier also monitoring his situation. (Loic Tanzi on X), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Hibs defender Lewis Miller is close to sealing a move to English Championship club Blackburn, according to the Press Association news agency.

The transfer is set to net the Edinburgh club more than £1m, with add-ons.

The 24-year-old joined Hibs from Australian outfit Central Coast Mariners in 2022 and has become an established member of the side.

Miller made 39 appearances last term and helped the Edinburgh outfit to a third-place finish in the Scottish Premiership.

The right-back, who is also capable of operating at centre-back, made his Australia debut two years ago and has 14 caps.

Hibs triggered Miller's one-year extension in April meaning he is contracted until summer 2026.

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Defender Warren O'Hora has urged Hibs to "dust themselves off" for Sunday's Premiership opener against Dundee after the devastating defeat to Midtjylland.

Hibs were knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers by an extra-time overhead kick from Junior Brumado on Thursday night.

David Gray's side will face Partizan Belgrade away in the first leg of their Conference League third-round qualifier next Thursday and O'Hora is determined to head to Serbia on the back of victory at Dens Park.

"It's very hard," O'Hora told HibsTV, external.

"The three goals over the two legs are very good quality, there's not a lot we can do.

"There's probably things before we could be better at but when you see their goals, it hurts a little bit more.

"One thing I will say, the boys dug deep. Extra time in the second leg against a team of that quality isn't easy. Easter Road was absolutely rocking and it was a really hard one to take.

"We knew what was at stake, the first leg we wanted to come back to Easter Road with something to fight for. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, and it wasn't.

"To go out like that is very hard but we have to dust ourselves off because the league starts on Sunday and we want to start positive."

We asked for your views on Hibernian's 2-1 extra-time defeat at home to Midtjylland that ended their hopes of Europa League progress and set up a Conference League third-round qualifier against Partizan Belgrade.

Here's what some of you said:

Sandy: We were excellent throughout, only lost to two magnificent and unstoppable goals. Proud of my team. They gave everything they had.

Colin: The players gave their all against a top European team. We take a lot from this game going forward, especially in terms of adding more quality to strengthen the squad.

Richard: Over the two games we showed effort commitment and bravery, unfortunately came up short and we were undone by a wonder goal and if we could add a couple of quality additions I'd be hopeful for another decent season.

Jamie: The worry after a good season is can we carry that into next? After 210 minutes, in which we were only behind for approximately six minutes against strong opposition, Hibs are in a great place currently! Very proud of the performance across the two legs and now cannot wait for Dundee away.

John: Terrific effort from Hibs, but effort is no substitute for class. Their players seemed to find space all over the park and their passing far more accurate.

Bill: Beaten by a fitter team who got plenty time and space, aided by Hibs' poor passing. We chose the wrong substitutes. Quality goals from the opposition beat us.

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Scott Allan on BBC Sportsound

The Hibs players deserve so much credit. Over the two legs they've been absolutely fantastic.

Some monstrous performances from the likes of Kieron Bowie, the three centre-backs, and ultimately they've been undone by pieces of absolute brilliance.

That goal to win it is incredible. I think when the dust settles the staff and players can look at it and say "we matched them".

I think Hibs fans will be really excited about the season ahead. With what we've seen over the two legs, I think Hibs have a real chance of qualification [against Partizan Belgrade].

Hibs look like a real, proper side. You can see that togetherness in them.

Allan Preston on BBC Sportsound

Midtjylland are in the Champions League most years, they spend millions of pounds and it was a tough draw.

Over the two legs Hibs have done very well, some flashes of brilliance in both games. That goal is fitting to win any tie.

How much does this take out the legs? It's only their second competitive match, the players gave absolutely everything. They came up against a quality side, yes it's early on in the season for them too, but Hibs acquitted themselves very well.

They'll be disappointed to go out of this competition but they're going to have to dust themselves down and go to Den's [Park] on Sunday and start their league campaign, then start looking at the Conference League and what that brings.

Hibs will be proud of what they've done. They'll be feeling sore but they've got to go with heart on Sunday because they'll get better.

Hibernian aim to sign Scotland centre-half Grant Hanley, with the 33-year-old free agent a guest at Easter Road for last night's Europa League qualifying loss to Midtjylland. (Scottish Sun), external

Blackburn Rovers have agreed a deal to sign Hibernian and Australia defender Lewis Miller. (Lancashire Telegraph - subscription required), external

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Hibs fans, were you at Easter Road or following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the defeat.

What did you make of the performance? How do you feel about facing Partizan Belgrade in the Conference Leage?

Have your say on the game

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "One thing I'll never do is accept losing games of football but I can't ask the players for any more than what they've given me tonight.

"It's taken three wonder strikes across the 210 minutes to beat us. The players gave us everything, the atmosphere, everything around it, was fantastic.

"It's really tough to take, it's one thing we can't feel sorry for ourselves. Recovery is huge and we've got a good one to look forward to at the weekend, first league game of the season. That's what it's all about, that's how we ended up in this position, our attention has to quickly change towards Dundee.

"It makes it harder to take, the manner of it, the timing of the goal, how much the players have put into it. I'm proud of the players in terms of the effort, the performance levels, the bravery, against a really good side.

"We just need to find another way now. We've got a tough tie in the Conference League but it's still an opportunity for us and we need to remember that.

"It was fine margins again tonight.

"I think our attention very quickly changes to Dundee so I'm not going to look past that now. Tonight's game is going to be irrelevant towards the weekend. Full focus on that one which is a different way of playing. When Partizan comes round it's going to be a real tough test but it's the reward for playing in Europe."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Defender Jack Iredale says Hibs can take confidence from their first-leg performance against Midtjylland and hopes a packed Easter Road can push them on to a historic win tonight.

The Europa League qualifying tie is evenly poised at 1-1 and Easter Road will host a record home crowd of 18,500 - the largest since the stadium's redevelopment in the 1990s - due to the small size of the travelling Danish contingent.

And after witnessing the racket made by the travelling Hibees, Iredale cannot wait to experience a European night under the lights in Leith.

"I think to a man we all delivered, but we know that was only half the job done, and we know how big an evening this is going to be for us," said the 29-year-old.

"I'm really excited. Even during the warm-up over there, me and a couple of the boys were talking about how good we felt because of the support we had, and that was only 1,000 fans in the corner of the stadium.

"I'm still not even sure if the fans understand how much that helps us, even without preparations and then certain stages of the game where you need that extra boost in there for us.

"That was another one of the messages before the game, we didn't go through everything we did last season just to get papped out on day one, so we want to continue this journey. There's so much more to come from us as well.

"We didn't do all that work from Christmas on November onwards just to trip at the first hurdle, so we know we can't sit back against them."

Iredale's Hibs form was recognised with a first senior call-up for Australia at the end of last season. He now hopes exposure to high-pressure European fixtures will help him achieve a lifelong dream of playing for his national side.

"I'm desperate to play for Australia, it's one thing that you know I really want to do and playing in a club as big as this in competitions as big as this, it's only going to help," he said.

"With how big the games have been for Australia recently, he [head coach Tony Popovic] needs to know that people can deal with that pressure."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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David Gray says a return to Hibs for Nectar Triantis was always a "potential opportunity" but insists the club have other transfer targets to pursue if a move doesn't materialise.

With reports suggesting Triantis won't be returning to the club this summer from Sunderland, Gray remained coy but was keen to emphasise he is not their only transfer target.

"If that's what the lie of the land is…" Gray commented on the reports.

He added: "I think I've been very consistent in saying that, quite clearly, Nectar has done so well for us last season, we know that.

"We've also been very clear that it's not just Nectar Triantis, we can't put everything into one position or one player, we know that, so the hard work has been going on.

"And while it was still a potential opportunity, you'd always look to try and explore it because of how well he'd done. But it was always going to be that, with it being his second loan spell here, how well he'd done, his parent club getting promoted and what his situation was going to be.

"Naturally, so we are constantly looking to see what can be done to try and improve the squad, but clearly my focus right now is tomorrow night and the game."

Gray also said new recruits Jamie McGrath and Josh Mulligan's previous Scottish football experience has been key to their immediate impact at the club.

Former Aberdeen midfielder McGrath scored in the first-leg win over Midtjylland last week and ex-Dundee player Mulligan also made his debut, with Hibs hosting the Danes tomorrow night in a tie locked at 1-1.

"It's been great. Clearly they were playing in our league last year so you can get a sense of what they're like pretty quickly," said Gray.

"They are two quality players that can add straight away to what we're looking to do and then I also think that's a reflection on the group that have been here, the core that welcome new players, make them settle quickly."

Gray also said he won't rush record signing Klidje into action, adding: "There is not too much expectation from me in terms of demand to try and get him minutes straight away."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media before Hibs' Europa League second-round qualifier second leg against Midtjylland on Thursday night.

Here are the key points:

• Gray says "all we could hope for" after the first leg was to still be in the tie and the "players can take a lot of confidence from the last game".

• But he has been "quick to remind them" it is only the halfway point in the tie and it will "not become easier because it's at home".

• The head coach has stressed the need to at least replicate the level of their away performance against a "top team" that competes in the Champions League.

• Gray expects Midtjylland to arrive full of confidence after their 6-2 win on Monday evening over Sonderjyske, and all of the squad are "well aware" of the challenge they will face.

• A record home crowd is expected at Easter Road on Thursday evening, with Gray saying: "These are the nights you want, this is why you do it".

• "The support around the club right now is a reflection of how well the group's done," he adds. "There is a feel-good factor at the club right now".

• Gray has warned his players that "the challenge doesn't get easier from our point of view, they're still favourites because of who they are" and Hibs must be at their "absolute best" if they want to progress.

• With reports suggesting Nectar Triantis won't be returning, Gray says the club aren't putting all their effort into one player and they are "constantly looking to see what can be done to improve the squad".

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A quick glance at Midtjylland's early-season form tells you Hibs still face an arduous task to progress in Europa League qualifying.

The Danes have skelped in nine goals in their two Superliga outings so far - including a 6-2 rout of Sonderjyske on Monday - and travel to Edinburgh on Thursday for the second leg of a tie delicately poised at 1-1.

Can Hibs maintain their own "good vibe" by completing the job at a sellout Easter Road?

The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan, speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, said: "I think of the three games [involving Scottish teams], Hibs is the one that's still most in the balance. And I say that not to criticise Hibs remotely, but to acknowledge the quality of the opposition.

"Midtjylland's season is up and running and they are scoring goals. They've played two league games and scored nine times. So it's within their capabilities to come to Easter Road and win.

"But what I found impressive about Hibs was, there just feels like a good vibe around this team and this club at the moment. That first leg very much felt like a continuation of the way things have gone for the club since about November.

"There's momentum, there's confidence. They're a hard-working team. They do a lot of running, they do a lot of pressing.

"And there was only two new faces in that side. Hibs had Josh Mulligan in and Jamie McGrath, both of whom played well in the first leg. But otherwise, it was nine out of 11 who had been a winning unit together.

"This is the most interesting of the second legs because it could still go either way. And the fact it's a sellout at Easter Road will be really intriguing."

Hibernian have been informed that Nectarios Triantis will not be returning to Easter Road after last season's loan as, although Sunderland have not decided on his future, the 22-year-old Australia midfielder has Championship interest along with keen suitors from major European leagues and the United States. (Daily Record), external

Hibernian, Kasimpasa and Neftchi Baku are also interested in Mouhamed Belkheir, but Al-Riyadh are close to an agreement to sign the 26-year-old forward for £1.3m from La Louviere. (Arobase Dzair on X), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

Fourth. We were clearly the third-best team last season, even allowing for a disastrous start. We've managed to keep the majority of that squad together and added some real quality in Jamie McGrath, Josh Mulligan and Thibault Klidje. I would fancy us for third again, but historically clubs have struggled to balance European football with the domestic campaign, so I'll go for fourth.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet, and who should it be?

We've broken our transfer record on Klidje so expectations are high that the speedy forward will make a big impact at Easter Road. There's still a clamour for Nectar Triantis to re-sign, however I suspect that ship has sailed.

What do you want from your manager this season?

Sir David Gray, as he's known locally, had a great first season in charge so more of the same would be the hope this time around. He's shown himself to be a terrific man-manager and that has perhaps unfairly overshadowed his tactical awareness. I hope he delivers a European run we can be proud of, but most of all I just want to see the consistency that served us so well last season.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

My tip is Mulligan. He shone at Dundee last season and is the prototype of the signings Hibs should be making - young Scottish talent with bags of potential. I think he'll excel on the bigger stage at Easter Road.

What is your one major concern?

Whether we have the depth of squad to compete on all fronts this season. I expect more from Aberdeen and a few of last season's bottom-six clubs have shown they're capable of more, so there's no room for the woeful that we suffered last season – we need to be on it from the word go.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

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Midtjylland thumped Sonderjyske 6-2 in the Danish Superliga as they prepared for the second leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie against Hibs on Thursday.

Goals from Adam Gabriel, Valdemar Andreasen, Mads Bech Sorensen, as well as a hat-trick from Franculino Dju secured three points for Midtjylland, who are now third in the table after two rounds of fixtures.

Despite the dominant scoreline, Sonderjyske had 20 shots at goal, only one fewer than Midtjylland, suggesting the victory was not plain sailing for Thomas Thomasberg's side.

The Danes drew 1-1 with Hibs in Herning last week after Aral Simsir cancelled out Jamie McGrath's opener.

The winners at Easter Road on Thursday will progress to face Fredrikstad of Norway.

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Livingston will host Hibernian in the second round of the League Cup.

Livi secured their spot as one of the best runners-up with a 6-0 thrashing of Kelty Hearts on Saturday.

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 16th/17th August.

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Hibernian's hopes of signing Nectarios Triantis on a record permanent transfer following last season's loan have suffered a blow after the 22-year-old Australia midfielder triggered a significant wage increase as a result of Sunderland's promotion back to the Premier League that the Scottish Premiership club would struggle to match. (Sunday Mail), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.