Hibernian's difficult start to the Scottish Premiership season has intensified pressure on manager David Gray after a 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone. The loss, reported by the BBC and Sky Sports, has sparked a fierce debate among supporters about the direction of the club, which currently sits 8th in the table with six points from five matches.
Is David Gray's time as Hibernian manager up?
Fan reaction gathered by the BBC after the St Johnstone match revealed deep divisions over Gray's leadership. Some supporters believe a change is now necessary. "Think the time is sadly up for David Gray," said one fan named Grant. Another, Ringo, argued, "I think it's time for Gray to do the decent thing and resign before he's sacked. He can't take Hibs any further." These comments reflect frustration with a perceived lack of identity and fight within the team.
Other fans, however, urged caution and pointed to wider structural issues at Easter Road. Darren suggested the problems "go much deeper than just sacking the manager," criticising the club's recruitment strategy. Brian offered a more measured view, stating, "We're not far off being a good team. Changing the manager would be totally detrimental at this point." The team's form this season is LLWWL, having scored seven goals but conceded nine.
What happened in the defeat to St Johnstone?
Sky Sports reported the key details of the Premiership fixture played on Sunday, 6 September 2026. Josh Fowler scored twice for St Johnstone to secure a 2-1 victory over Hibernian. The result continued a concerning trend for Hibs, who have now lost three of their opening five league games. This leaves them nine points adrift of early leaders Celtic.
The defeat followed another disappointing result just days earlier. On Friday, 4 September, Hibernian were beaten 3-1 by city rivals Hearts in a match also covered by Sky Sports. Consecutive losses in such a short period have amplified scrutiny on the squad and the coaching staff. The club's standings page shows the tight nature of the mid-table, where every point is critical.
How does the squad look ahead of the next fixtures?
Hibernian's challenges are compounded by confirmed absences in defence. As of 8 September 2026, central defender Rocky Bushiri and full-back Jordan Obita are currently sidelined, as noted on the club's injuries page. Their absence was felt in the recent matches where defensive errors proved costly. The need for consistency at the back is urgent with a demanding schedule ahead.
Manager David Gray now faces the task of halting this slide and rallying his players. The next opportunity comes in the return fixture against Hearts, who are 2nd in the table, scheduled for 27 December 2026. Fans can track the team's preparation and all future matches on the official fixtures list. The immediate focus will be on halting the losing run and building a more resilient performance. The next Edinburgh derby is set for 27 December 2026.
