Hibernian manager David Gray has taken full responsibility for the club's poor start to the season following a damaging defeat to city rivals Hearts. The 3-1 home loss at Easter Road, reported by STV News this week, marks a third consecutive derby defeat for the first time since 2012 and compounds a difficult opening period.
Gray stated he was "extremely disappointed, angry and hurt" by the result. He did not shy away from accountability. "During this period now, you need to own it, you need to take it to the chin and I certainly need to own it, it’s my responsibility when you lose any game," the Hibernian boss said. The defeat came just a week after a 3-2 loss to Gent in the Conference League play-offs, part of a string of early-season setbacks against Malisheva and Motherwell.
What has gone wrong for Hibernian?
The core issue, according to Gray, is a failure to convert chances. He believes the team's performances have not been as poor as results suggest. "If you look back at every game we’ve lost this season, we certainly could have won every one of them if we’d taken our chances again," Gray explained. He pointed to the Hearts match specifically, arguing Hibernian created enough opportunities to win and dominated the game after pulling a goal back. The manager conceded that Jack Iredale's second-half red card was a major blow, noting that keeping eleven players on the pitch would have helped their cause.
Where do Hibernian stand in the league?
The recent form has left Hibernian in a concerning position. As of 06 September 2026, the club sits 7th in the Scottish Premiership with 6 points from four matches. Their record shows two wins and two losses, with a negative goal difference of -1 after scoring six and conceding seven. This leaves them a significant six points behind early leaders Celtic. You can track their progress in the standings throughout the campaign.
Can Gray turn things around?
Despite the tough start, Gray's overall record since taking charge offers some perspective. The club qualified for European competition in each of his first two full seasons in the dugout. His immediate task is to rebuild confidence in front of goal. Gray admitted he has spoken about the need to be clinical too many times already. His job, he says, is to ensure the players have the belief to take those chances when they arrive. The next opportunity comes quickly with a visit to St Johnstone scheduled for this Sunday.
What is the next big challenge?
Beyond the immediate fixture, the calendar holds another major test. Hibernian will face Hearts again later this year, this time at Tynecastle on 27 December 2026. Their rivals currently occupy 3rd place in the table, setting up another important encounter. Fans can view the full schedule of upcoming matches, including this key derby, on the club's fixtures page. The team's ability to address its finishing problems before then will be critical.
