Hibernian's troubling early-season form hit a new low with a 2-1 defeat away to St Johnstone on Sunday. The result, reported by BBC Sport, leaves David Gray's side 8th in the Premiership with six points from five matches and deepens the scrutiny on the head coach.

What happened in the defeat at St Johnstone?

Josh Fowler scored twice for the home side at McDiarmid Park, capitalising on defensive errors from the visitors. According to The Guardian's match report, Jason Kerr, a summer signing and boyhood Hibs fan, was at fault for Fowler's first goal, allowing a simple tap-in. Martin Boyle, the team captain, was substituted at half-time in a performance Gray later described as lacking identity.

The loss followed a disappointing 3-1 Edinburgh derby defeat to Hearts at Easter Road just days earlier. In that match, covered by Sky Sports, Hearts scored twice before half-time through James Wilson and Laurent Mendy. Adam Mayor pulled a goal back for Hibs after the break, but Jack Iredale's red card and a stunning solo effort from Josh McPake sealed the win for the visitors.

Is David Gray's position under threat?

Fan reaction gathered by the BBC after the St Johnstone game showed a split in opinion. Some supporters believe a change is necessary. "Think the time is sadly up for David Gray," said one fan named Grant. Another, Ringo, commented, "I think it's time for Gray to do the decent thing and resign before he's sacked."

Other voices urged patience, arguing that instability would only make things worse. "We're not far off being a good team," said Brian. "Changing the manager would be totally detrimental at this point." Gray himself appeared deflated post-match, admitting his team's performance was a cause for concern. The club's current standings show they are already nine points behind leaders Celtic.

How does the squad look for the next match?

Hibernian will be without at least two key players for their upcoming fixtures. Defender Rocky Bushiri and full-back Jordan Obita are currently sidelined, as confirmed by the club's official injuries list. Their absence adds to the defensive issues highlighted in recent games, where Hibs have conceded nine goals in five league matches.

The team's next Premiership fixture is a home match against St Johnstone on December 19th, a chance for immediate redemption. Before that, they must address a worrying trend; their recent form reads LLWWL and they have a negative goal difference of -2. Fans can track the team's preparation and the full fixtures schedule on the club's website.

What other news emerged from Edinburgh?

In unrelated news from the capital, The Scotsman reported that Spartans manager Dougie Samuel has taken extended leave. The League Two side's sporting director, former Hibernian boss Mixu Paatelainen, will assist the coaching staff during Samuel's absence. This development is separate from the issues at Easter Road but involves a familiar figure to Hibs supporters.

For David Gray, the international break offers a brief respite to work with his squad. The immediate task is to halt the slide and find consistency, with the next home game against St Johnstone now carrying significant weight. The match at Easter Road is scheduled for December 19, 2026.