Saturday September 19th 2026
Martin Boyle scores the equaliser from the penalty spot.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
It was a tale of two half for Hibs as they drew 1-1 with Aberdeen in the first game after the sacking of club legend, David Gray. It was a flat and sluggish first half performance from the home side, similar to the one seen on Tuesday against Kilmarnock, as they fell behind to a strike from former Hibee, Kevin Nisbet.
But, a much more determined second half display saw them rally, and find an equaliser courtesy of a penalty converted by Martin Boyle. It finished 1-1 as Hibs enter the international break on 7 points, 10th and in search of a new manager.
Today’s match presented an interesting opportunity. Not quite a ‘free hit’ for Hibs, but with it so early in the season, a new manager on the way and the international break on the horizon, it could be said that the squad and caretaker manager, John Potter, had little to lose.
I’m sure the concept of a ‘free hit’ was not one shared by the home crowd as a loss to fellow early season strugglers, Aberdeen, would only compound the bleakness experienced by the Easter Road crowd on Tuesday.
Hibs’ start reflected a side playing with severe baggage at the moment, as the hangover from Tuesdays loss to Kilmarnock remained.
Their play from front to back was disjointed. Passes never quite seeming to find their intended target as fan frustration grew louder.
Aberdeen were content with leaving Hibs in possession and allowing them to play themselves into self-inflicted errors.
Hibs offensively looked toothless, providing little threat despite their early control of the ball and then, with Aberdeen’s first period of sustained possession of the afternoon, things grew worse.
A drilled cross into the box from Gavin Molloy found Kevin Nisbet. He was able to turn, challenged by minimal defensive pressure, and find the back of the net. Putting Aberdeen 1-0 ahead after 17 minutes.
Hibs fortunes right now meant of course it would be former Hibee, Nisbet on the scoresheet.
The rest of the first half remained much the same – Hibs in possessional control but Aberdeen unphased and comfortable.
Any half chance at a shot was passed up for an extra touch or pass, bringing with it collective groans from the crowd.
Callum Wright did provide a brief spark, weaving through two Aberdeen shirts and nearly finding Owen Elding with a cross – a small piece of life in an otherwise uninspiring first half of football from Hibs.
Hibs needed to respond in the second half, and whilst they still lacked on ball fluidity, there was much more urgency in their play.
They looked to get the ball wide and attempt to breach the Aberdeen backline with crosses and slipped passes into the box.
Their positive second half start was rewarded in the 61st minute after a Jason Kerr drew a foul from Jack Milne in the box and was awarded a penalty.
Martin Boyle stepped up and rifled the penalty home, straight down the middle, to bring the game back level.
The equaliser was nearly short lived after Jack Milne towered above Hibs shirts, from a corner to win a header. However, Milne could not direct his effort anywhere put straight at Raphael Sallinger as the Hibs players and fans drew a collective, deep breath.
It was a difficult afternoon at times for Callum Wright, he was often guilty of overplaying in search of a ‘hero’ moment. But, he should have had himself an assist after delivering a venomous cross from a free kick, level with the penalty spot down the left hand side.
All it needed was a glance however none in green could supply, as it remained 1-1 with time ticking down.
Hibs pushed on in search of an equaliser, but it did not come as it ended all square.
There was far more grit and desire on display in the second half, but a lack of attacking imagination is a real cause of concern. They look short on ideas going forward despite a supposed plethora of options – a problem for the new manager, whoever that may be, to solve.
Here’s what John Potter had to say post-match;
‘When you are at a club like this and at home, you need to win games of football and we’ve maybe not done that recently.
‘In terms of the game we had some good moments and the second half was much better,’ he said.
‘If anyone was going to win it, I do think we were pushing for that.’
‘It was probably a fair result but maybe a little bit disappointed we couldn’t get the winner.’
Potter also spoke on the challenges of taking over from Gray on such short notice.
‘Its difficult when somebody like Dave leaves the club. He’d been here 12 years, was a brilliant manager and friend to everybody,’ he stated.
‘Everybody knew him really well, so it was difficult. Friday we sat with the players and said we have to get on with our jobs. Theres a little break after that and we have to try and win a game of football.
‘You can still it in some elements and even before the game some of the players are hurting, but that’s football.’
A longer international break means it’ll be nearly 3 week before Hibs are in action again, leaving plenty of time to find a new manager and provide the squad and fanbase with a much needed new lease of life.
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