The Hibernian board is being urged to maintain its support for manager David Gray as the club navigates a fluctuating start to the 2026-27 Premiership campaign. A report from the BBC argues that Gray's overall record, including delivering European football in successive seasons, merits patience despite recent setbacks.
What has David Gray achieved at Hibernian?
David Gray, at 38, remains one of the youngest managers in the Scottish Premiership. He has now been in charge at Easter Road for more than two years. His tenure includes significant milestones, most notably securing European qualification in back-to-back seasons. Under his leadership, Hibernian reached the league phase of a European competition for the first time in the club's history. Statistically, his win percentage compares favourably with most of the past six permanent managers at the club; only Jack Ross boasts a superior record.
How has the current season started for Hibs?
The current campaign has been a story of peaks and valleys. Hibernian sit 8th in the Premiership with six points from five games, their form reading LLWWL. They have scored seven goals but conceded nine, leaving them with a negative goal difference. A commanding away victory at Dundee showed promise, but that was followed by back-to-back defeats to rivals Hearts at home and St Johnstone away. The nature of some results has been frustrating, including a match at Easter Road where the team conceded two goals in the final ten minutes.
Injuries have also played a part, with key defenders Rocky Bushiri and Jordan Obita currently sidelined, as shown on the club's injuries page. The team is nine points behind early leaders Celtic, highlighting the need for consistency.
What is the immediate challenge for Gray and the team?
The immediate focus is on securing a League Cup semi-final place at Hampden, with a important match away to Ross County in Dingwall. Beyond that, the Premiership schedule presents a massive test with the next fixture being an away trip to face second-placed Heart of Midlothian on December 27th. Fans can track the build-up to these key games via the club's fixtures list.
Gray's task is to stabilise performances and results. The board has so far remained steadfast in its backing, a stance the BBC analysis supports. The manager's proven ability to achieve the club's European objectives is seen as a solid foundation to build upon, even during this inconsistent phase. The full standings show how tight the league remains, offering opportunity for a climb with a string of positive results.
Where does the squad stand for the coming weeks?
Navigating this period without Bushiri and Obita will test the squad's depth. Their absence is a specific challenge that Gray must solve on the training ground. The team's ability to bounce back from the recent losses will be critical, starting with the cup tie in Dingwall. The final match before the winter break is that Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle, a fixture that will demand full focus. The full squad available to the manager is listed on the official squad page.
Hibernian's next match is against Ross County in the League Cup quarter-final.
