Hibernian

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hibs forward Ante Suto says he gets "goosebumps" thinking about his rapid rise from the Croatian lower leagues to a potential World Cup call-up with Australia.

A little over two years ago Suto, who is in line for a Socceroos debut this week, was playing for second-tier NK Croatia Zmijavci.

He moved to Slaven Belupo in January 2024 and was playing in the top flight before his switch to Hibs last month, where his impressive start his been rewarded with a first Australia call-up.

Born and raised in Croatia, 25-year-old Suto qualifies for Tony Popovic's side thanks to his Australian father, who hails from Melbourne.

"I started playing football when I was five years old and I was a little shy boy," Suto told the Socceroos official website.

"I played in my hometown [Imotski, Croatia]. It's a village of 2,000 people, and everyone in the village are proud of me. Now I'm here in this city, in this country, and here I get goosebumps now thinking about it.

"It's an amazing journey, but all of that is just hard work and dedication.

"Two months ago I was playing in Croatia, and two years ago I was playing in second division in Croatia.

"This is a big thing for me and I'm not looking into the future. I just want to be my best at every game and hopefully I'll get a call-up for a World Cup.

"When I moved to Scotland, I started well. I expected to start well, but not like that. So it happened quickly and I can't be more happy than I am now."

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Hibernian head coach David Gray sees progress in his side this season but accepts there is "more noise" towards Hibs with Hearts sitting top of the Scottish Premiership. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

It's rare Hibs have a goalless draw, even more so two in consecutive weeks, but here we are.

Neither side looked likely to score in last Saturday's Fir Park stalemate.

It was a game where you'd have appreciated the fourth official putting up the number of minutes taken away at the end of the game for tedium, rather than adding time on.

The previous week we had over 20 shots against Livingston and it was a game where I left the stadium wondering how we hadn't scored. On Saturday I wondered how we would ever score.

It's easy to point to the strikers when the team draws a blank, but Hibs' insistence on only attacking down the left-hand side puts a huge burden on Nicky Cadden to deliver (literally and figuratively) and makes us predictable to play against.

David Gray either has to mix up the tactics or insist his players do what he's asking if he has suggested we might explore the right-hand side or even through the middle as avenues for creating chances.

Saturday was dull, predictable and boring. Motherwell fans, I'm sure, will be saying the same.

The international break has come at a good time; I hope for everyone's sake Gray and his backroom team spend the time focusing on finding some variety in attack.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Martin Boyle insists he does not know if he will travel to the World Cup as a free agent as the Australia winger nears the end of his contract with Hibernian and says he is concentrating on keeping his place in the national squad and finishing his time at Easter Road on a high. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Centre-back Rocky Bushiri has targeted "an incredible end to the season" by helping the Democratic Republic of Congo qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 and securing European football for Hibs. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Watch Sportscene pundit Steven Naismith analyse how Hibernian's off-the-ball structure disrupted Motherwell's approach play in Saturday's goalles draw.

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Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Raphael Sallinger (Hibernian)

Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers, so three saves and a clean sheet wins it for the Hibs custodian.

RCB: James Tavernier (Rangers)

Can Rangers really afford to lose the goals this right-back gives them every season? Not getting any younger but still delivers, as his free-kick against Aberdeen demonstrated.

CB: Ross Graham (Dundee United)

A lion at the back for United against Celtic. Stifled all the defending champions could throw at him, clean sheet and three points that keep United's slim top-half hopes alive. The perfect riposte to his derby day dejection.

LCB: Liam Donnelly (St Mirren)

The midfielder played on the right of a back three for St Mirren and shone defensively as well as scoring the winner. A big three points away to Falkirk.

RWB: Oisin McEntee (Hearts)

Towering header the decisive moment for Hearts to break the deadlock against Dundee. His physicality and power make him a huge threat at set-pieces.

CM: Marc Leonard (Hearts)

A different kind of midfielder to Cammy Devlin but arrived at the right time to fill the void left by the Australian this season. His delivery for McEntee's vital goal was right on the money.

CM: Emmanuel Agyei (Dundee United)

A robust and dynamic performance from the Ghanaian, topped off with a huge goal.

LWB: Will Ferry (Dundee United)

Normally all about the delivery, but Sunday was all about the finish from Ferry, which opened the scoring against Celtic. Not the cleanest of strikes but it doesn't matter. Remarkably his first United goal.

RW: Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock)

Going to Kilmarnock was the best thing that happened to Steve Clarke, and the same for Curtis. Their paths will now cross in the Scotland camp, and rightly so. Curtis always looked like he had the talent, Kilmarnock are giving him the stage and all parties are benefitting. Scored the second in the big 2-0 win over Livingston.

CF: Joe Hugill (Kilmarnock)

An impressive showing topped with a goal from the former Manchester United youngster, and an assist for Curtis.

LW: Mikey Moore (Rangers)

The 18-year-old clearly had a lot of talent when he arrived at Ibrox, but in recent times he has stepped it up a level and delivered with consistency as Rangers continue their late charge for the title.

Watch European hopefuls Motherwell and Hibernian play out a hard-fought Scottish Premiership draw at Fir Park.

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We asked you Hibs fans for your views on the 0-0 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Michael: Another classic David Gray performance. Lacklustre, slow, boring and bereft of ideas. Many fans are beginning to lose patience with him. I truly believe a better coach would have this team comfortably sitting in the top three. Another very poor watch.

Ringo: David Gray said before kick off that the game wasn't a must win. No wonder Hibs are weak and don't win matches that Hearts grind out. Hibs throw away wins and grind out draws.

I know we won't win every game but to say a game isn't a must win is beyond me. Time for change at Hibs - every game is a must win, even a friendly. We are weak and toothless and clueless and 18 points behind Hearts. Gray can spin it any way he wants, it's just not good enough.

George: Not great. No flair, but solid defensively. We need Grant Hanley and Josh Mulligan back soon, and the front line to find their shooting boots.

Scott: Dull, dull game considering top four at stake. Both teams were lucky to get nil. With three poor draws in a row Hibs have blown any chance of European football next season. Same old tactics against a team who only play one way, no matter what.

Kenny: The game was a bore. We had one decent shot on goal through Martin Boyle and didn't create much. We have decent players but we don't look like we are getting the best out of them. That's down to the manager. He needs to go.

Grant: Very poor game, think Gray set up for the draw. Hibs play boring football and need to start attacking teams. Sitting back and trying to hit then on the break is not working.

Sandy: All hyped up and no goals on show. However, Motherwell can be caught, they are not playing like they were earlier in this campaign. Hibs played well in defence and midfield but if we want to get that European spot, we have to be more clinical in attack than that showing.

Tikki: Seemed like we were happy with a point in a game we had to win to have a realistic chance of fourth. The football being served up is eye-bleeding! If we're happy just to bumble along in the top half then Gray is your man. Otherwise, a change is needed.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibernian believe they can earn a European place this season despite remaining six points behind fourth-placed Motherwell after a goalless draw at Fir Park, says forward Martin Boyle.

A fourth-placed finish guarantees that, although the club finishing fifth could still be handed a spot depending on who lifts the Scottish Cup.

Boyle, who captained the side while making his 400th Hibernian appearance, says it's all still up for grabs.

"We believe we can do it," he told BBC Scotland. "We have to drive towards that. Every game's a cup final. Obviously, that would mean a lot to me and everyone at the club.

"We have to keep striving, we have to keep working hard. It's not mathematically impossible. We're sticking together. We feel like we can do it. It's definitely achievable."

Three consecutive draws have undermined Hibs' hopes, having missed the chance to reel in Motherwell who had lost their previous two fixtures before of the stalemate between the sides.

For Boyle, who will leave the club when his contract expires this summer, reaching 400 outings was a special moment.

"The gaffer mentioned it before the game," Boyle added. "The lads were trying to do it for me today, but that's not the case. I just go about my business like I always do, trying my best for the club, and as a personal achievement it's fantastic.

"I've worked hard my full Hibs career. I've managed to rack up a lot of games, a lot of memorable moments.

"I've been through a lot at this club, but my family are really appreciative and the support they've given me... the four knee injuries I've had as well. I always look back and think it could have been more.

"It's a great achievement for me and I appreciate all the support from all the people within the club and the fans."

Fourth-placed Motherwell maintained their six-point lead over Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership but failed to put pressure on the top three ahead of the international break after a stalemate at Fir Park.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "I think if I'm being honest I can't stand here and say we deserved to win the game.

"I think a draw is a fair result. I thought it was a real tactical game from both sides, we know it's a tough place to go and Motherwell's home form is very strong. I thought defensively we were excellent, very rarely did they play through us.

"Tactically, defensively, I thought we were really good. I thought the bit we lacked, especially in the first half, was any sort of threat at all. Second half we had a little 20 minute period where we had a bit more control, a few good chances.

"A win today, you gain three points on Motherwell. The other side to that is we've not lost any ground on them. We've still to play them again, a lot can change. We know if Motherwell win every game we can't catch them so we know that but there's a lot of football still to come.

"We did have a few chances, we do have players that carry a threat. We've had two back-to-back clean sheets and if you're not conceding goals you won't get beat. That's definitely something to build on. Our form is pretty strong but we need to start getting more wins.

"At this stage, with seven games to go, there's not going to be any easy games. Everyone has got something to play for. We'll take the point, recover the ones that picked up bumps and bruises and it sets us up now for seven cup finals to go."

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Motherwell defender Emmanuel Longelo drops out through suspension but Stephen Welsh returns.

Regan Charles-Cook remains out alongside Johnny Koutroumbis (calf), Callum Hendry (groin) and Zach Robinson (Achilles).

Hibernian defenders Jordan Obita and Grant Hanley are back in contention after hamstring issues but Rudi Molitnikov and Josh Mulligan (both ankle) are unavailable.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibernian boss David Gray says midfielder Josh Mulligan is back in training and is likely to return to the matchday squad after the upcoming Premiership split.

Mulligan sustained an ankle injury in January's Scottish Cup defeat by Dunfermline that required surgery.

Gray says they will not rush the former Dundee man back to ensure there is no flare up with the injury.

"In terms of timing, I don't expect to see him back before the split," he said. "He's doing really well, progressing nicely, but we won't rush it. The nature of the injury means that just isn't possible.

"We're being guided by the professionals and medical staff, and the main thing is avoiding any setbacks. He's definitely going in the right direction, but it'll take time because even though he is on the grass, I don't expect him back before the split."

Before his injury, Mulligan was being discussed as a potential for the Scotland squad for this summer's World Cup.

Gray says the player should still have that dream of being on the plane.

"I think any player with even the slightest, outside chance should hold on to that dream and use it as motivation," he said. "If I were in that position, I'd be doing exactly the same.

"So if there's even a 0.5% chance, I'd be trying everything to make it happen, because the reward and recognition for that are massive."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibernian head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's Premiership trip to Motherwell.

Here are the main points:

• Gray says the squad is "really strong, really healthy" and has been boosted by the return of Josh Mulligan to training although the midfielder is unlikely to be back before the split.

• The Hibs head coach knows tomorrow's game against Motherwell is "huge" and says the six-point difference between the sides is "all the motivation the players should need".

• Although the game is "not a must win because there are still 24 points to play for" he does admit every game between now and the end of the season "feels massive".

• On Jens Berthel Askou, Gray says he knows he is up against a "quality manager" and while Motherwell are "a really good side", the Hibs boss feels his side "are a very good team too".

• The 36-year-old says he is "very close" to completing his Uefa Pro Licence course - "I'm constantly trying to better myself and any little nuggets of information you can get can only put you in the right direction".

• Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou was one of the speakers at the course and Gray says the Australian was "really refreshing to listen to".

• On Ante Suto's maiden call-up to the Australia squad, Gray says "his impact speaks for itself" adding that national team call-ups are "the carrot of playing for this football club".

• Team news: Rudi Molotnikov is out with an ankle injury.

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• After their 2-0 win in November, Motherwell are looking for back-to-back home league wins over Hibs within a single season for the first time since 2007-08.

• Hibs have only lost two of their past eight league meetings with Motherwell (W3 D3), although are winless against them in the Scottish Premiership this season (D1 L1).

• Motherwell have lost their past two league games, conceding as many goals in those matches as they had in their previous 19 in the Premiership (five). The Steelmen last lost more league fixtures in a row in February 2025 (five).

• Hibs have only lost two of their past 13 league games (W6 D5) and are unbeaten in four (W2 D2) since a 1-0 defeat to Hearts in February.

• Motherwell's Ibrahim Said has created 33 chances in the league this season but is yet to provide an assist, the most of any player without setting up a goal. Said also ranks second in the top flight for dribbles completed (52), behind Djeidi Gassama (53).

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Hibernian striker Ante Suto has earned his first Australia call-up and joins clubmate Martin Boyle in the squad for this month's friendlies against Cameroon and Curacao.

Croatia-born Suto, who joined Hibs from Slaven Belupo on a two-and-a-half year deal in the January window, qualifies for Australia through his father.

The 25-year-old has made an impressive start to his Hibs career, scoring three goals and providing one assist in six appearances.

He will join up with fellow forward Boyle as the Socceroos build towards their sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance.

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Former referee Steve Conroy thinks it is "mission creep" with VAR in Scottish football before new changes to the laws for the upcoming World Cup.

VAR was introduced in Scotland almost four years ago but has frequently been criticised by fans, players, managers and former players.

Now there could be more changes to the scope of technology as football's law-making body the International Football Association Board (Ifab) backed plans to increase the powers of VAR.

For this summer's World Cup in America, VAR will be allowed to intervene on second yellow cards and the awarding of corners, provided the process doesn't slow down the flow of play.

Ifab has also expanded the countdown rule around goalkeepers where they have eight seconds to release the ball from their hands to include goal kicks and throw-ins.

But former referee Conroy thinks involving the technology in more decision-making is bad news for the game.

"It's inescapable that there is more and more mission creep with VAR," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The authorities seem hell-bent on using it more and more and relying on it and I think that is to the detriment of football.

"I know Ifab are talking about getting them involved for corners and second yellows and all that sort of stuff. As [Celtic interim manager] Martin O'Neill said, soon enough we'll just referee from a port-a-cabin somewhere.

"And this is all happening at the same time as every football supporter survey tells you that they just want it binned."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

There were a few boos around me at full-time on Saturday at Easter Road. The performance hadn't been that bad, but there's a growing feeling the team isn't reaching its potential.

A goalless draw against the league's bottom side will do that, though, and despite Hibs dominating the game, hitting the bar twice and missing when it looked easier to score will cause frustration among the support.

At times Hibs played some cracking stuff but for large chunks of the game it was dull, plodding fare. The centre-halves dominated the ball and while that seems to be the way modern football is played, it does nothing to get you off your seat when the team is chasing a goal.

David Gray's team have a bit of an image problem at the moment – we're not seen as the swashbuckling, cavalier, all-out-attacking side a lot of fans want (there's some hyperbole at play there, admittedly).

But the team regularly exceed 20 shots on goal in a match and we've scored only four fewer than Hearts and Rangers and one less than a Motherwell side that's been lauded for its play, so why are some folk finding it boring?

I am rarely bored watching Hibs, but there were points on Saturday when I felt the game really needed something to bring it to life. And while I don't agree, there are enough fellow fans say they are bored to make me think there's something in it.

Hibs are usually comfortable in games, we rarely batter a team and rarely get battered. It would be good to see us try to steamroller someone before the season's out – though that gets harder as we near the split.

That said, I'll take a 1-0 win at Motherwell this weekend no matter how it's achieved. Things will feel a lot better if we can reel the Steelmen in over the next few weeks.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

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Jerome Prior - Livingston

Five saves at Easter Road are unlikely to save Livingston's season, but they brought a clean sheet and a point nonetheless.

Warren O'Hora - Hibernian

Another solid showing from the centre-back and a clean sheet.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

His character and class continues to help keep Celtic fighting for a league and cup double.

Michael Schjonning-Larsen - Kilmarnock

A huge goal against Hearts from the Estonian international to earn his Kilmarnock side a massive three points in their fight against relegation, and throw a massive spanner in the works of the Hearts title tilt.

Luca Stephenson - Dundee United

A brilliant, brave back-post header looked like it would give Dundee United all three points in the derby, but it wasn't to be.

Alex Gogic - St Mirren

If any player ever deserved the classic football hard man head bandage it's Alex Gogic. But the Cyprus international goes the extra mile.

With blood erupting from his head after a clash with a team-mate, there was no bandage required. Instead it took staples to stem the flow, topped off by a massive dollop of Vaseline. What a warrior.

He must be the most old-school player in the Premiership, and we love him for it. Great defensively against Rangers.

Nico Raskin - Rangers

Full of energy in the hurly-burly of midfield in poor conditions in Paisley. He delivered the assist for the vital goal.

Tuur Rommens - Rangers

Got high up the field to decisive effect as he sealed a big three points for Rangers.

Yang Hyun-Jun - Celtic

Two goals in a huge game to sink Motherwell. That is now six goals since Christmas for the South Korean international.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

The young striker is brimming with belief after graduating to Premiership football. 16 goals now in all competitions for the 21-year-old - albeit half of them while on loan at Championship Dunfermline. Four goals in his last 3 games, huge potential.

Findlay Curtis - Kilmarnock

Has brought a bit of X-factor to the Kilmarnock attack. Looks like a player who can ignite things for the Rugby Park side as they fight to get out of the play-off spot.

Livingston make it four draws in a row as the Scottish Premiership's bottom club frustrate Hibernian in a goalless stalemate at Easter Road.

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Hibs fans, we asked for your opinions on the 0-0 draw with the Premiership's bottom side, Livingston. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Ringo: Hibs keep going on about catching Motherwell. They have lost their last two games and Hibs have drawn theirs. David Gray will put his usual positive spin on it and say he gained two points on them, but it's not good enough.

Hibs couldn't catch a cold. We haven't won three games in a row all season. Gray's time is up but some Hibs fans can't see it because he scored a goal in a Cup final ten years ago. I give up.

Colin: Sums up our season. If you don't score goals you don't win matches. This has cost us too many points! Until we solve this problem we won't move up the league.

Scott: Week after week, it's the same old diatribe from Gray - missed chances, boys gave everything, unlucky in front of goal blah blah blah.

A perfect opportunity to close in on Motherwell against a side who have won one game all season. Gray just doesn't have the guile to get the best out of the squad, needs to go.

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Hibs defender Warren O'Hora was keen to look forward after a frustrating goalless draw against Livingston on Saturday.

David Gray's side dominated proceedings but were unable to capitalise against the Premiership's bottom side.

O'Hora admitted it was difficult to break Livingston down, but says they must not dwell on a missed opportunity before crucial pre-split fixtures against Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.

Hibs are fifth in the top flight, six points behind Motherwell in fourth.

"Yeah, it was a bit of an attack-free defence, not to criticise Livingston, they defended really well," O'Hora said.

"We just didn't take our chances, ultimately. It was a bit like that for the whole game, I don't know how many shots we have, there was a lot of possession.

"We just needed that goal to seal it for us, it just didn't come. It's frustrating for us, no doubt about it.

"Big games coming up for us now, we need to take our positives and try and be better, move on to the next game and that's all we can do."