Hibernian delivered what fans called their best display of the season in a Scottish Premiership match at Dundee on Sunday. The 1-2 defeat featured a midfield performance spearheaded by debutant Jacob Devaney.
David Gray's side responded emphatically to a gutting loss just three days earlier. The result leaves Hibs fifth in the Premiership table with three points from three games, their recent form reading LWL. They have scored three goals and conceded five so far this campaign, leaving them six points behind leaders Celtic.
Supporters immediately identified the new midfielder as the missing piece. Devaney made a fantastic debut in the number six role, providing the control and tempo that had been absent. His presence allowed the attacking unit of Martin Boyle, Jamie McGrath, and Josh Mulligan to function with greater freedom. One fan, Ross, captured the sentiment. "Much better - great tempo, good energy," he said. "Jacob Devaney is the missing number six link. Thought he was excellent. That's how we should play."
The performance was noted as one of the best seen under manager David Gray. Fans praised the team for taking control early and never letting go until the final stages. Martin Boyle had a superb game, while Nathan Lowe was described as a liability who should be dropped. The only frustration came in the last ten minutes, but it did not overshadow the overall display.
This result provides a setback ahead of a demanding fixture schedule. The performance demonstrated the potential of Gray's preferred system when the right personnel are available. It also served as a perfect response to the disappointment of the Thursday night defeat, showing the character within the squad.
Sandy, another supporter, highlighted the need for squad depth to maintain this level.
Beyond the result, the match offered clear indicators for the manager. The integration of Devaney solved a persistent midfield issue. The attacking setup featuring Boyle, McGrath, and Mulligan proved effective and is likely to be retained. The team showed they can dominate an away fixture from start to finish, a trait they will need to replicate consistently.
Niall's post-match comment summed up the broader feeling. "Frustrating last 10 minutes, but it cannot be allowed to colour the rest of the game," he said. "That was one of the best performances I've seen from Hibs under David Gray." For detailed statistics from the match and the season so far, visit our stats section.
Attention now turns to the next major challenge. Hibs face a tough away fixture against Heart of Midlothian on December 27th. Hearts currently sit third in the table, making it a critical Edinburgh derby. Building on the performance from the Dundee match will be essential for that match.
