Wednesday September 16th 2026
Easter Road stadium
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
There is no one in the current Hibs squad who has experienced or understands the highs and lows of the football club quite like Martin Boyle. But, six consecutive home league losses, a record not equalled since 1920, is a low even Boyle has not yet felt.
“I didn’t know that stat, but it’s not a great one considering the home record we had here a couple years ago.
“I thought a really low point was in Kosovo and we turned that around. I thought it couldn’t get any lower.
“But, too produce the levels we did on Saturday and then not bring that tonight. It was slow and lethargic.”
Last nights loss to Kilmarnock exacerbated Hibs’ current fragility. When challenged physically, like Kilmarnock did, Hibs shrink.
Boyle highlighted the lack of edge in their play as a key contributing factor in this desolate run of form.
“We’ve got good characters in there, it’s a great bunch of lads. We train hard, we work hard but we have to get back to doing the bad bits in games and find that nastiness that isn’t there at the moment.
“We’re too nice to each other and I think the lads are suddenly realising the expectations and demands of this football club, and its coming at them fast.
“We have to demand more from each other, take responsibility and bounce back or we’re going to be in a really, really bad position going into this international break.”
That ‘nastiness’ and edge are stable features of signature Hibs home performances. In his 13th season with Hibs, Boyle is more aware that most of this.
“Theres expectation levels of playing at home,” he said.
“This should be our fortress, we should not be losing games here.”
Slow, naïve starts have plagued Hibs all season, conceding first in 6 of their 14 competitive games this season. Another clear indicator of the squads lack of bite.
“We have to take it to teams and we haven’t been doing that.
“We haven’t been on the front foot of games, gradually building in, we have to be more demanding and keep levels of pressure on teams to suffocate them.”
Despite the seasons infancy there is a large, dark cloud looming over David Gray like there never has been before. However, Boyle still remains resolute that he is the right man for the job.
“I always back my managers,” he stated.
“We’ve been in this position before were managers have lost their jobs. Do I believe he should? No.
“As players we need to take responsibility. We need a quick kick up the backside and to take the backlash from it.”
Saturday is crucial. A loss and it feels like a forgone conclusion that David Gray’s time as Hibs manager will have run its course. But, a win could provide a positive momentum builder heading into the international break were the squads identity could be reformed.
“We’ve got a good opportunity on Saturday, at home again, but we can’t start football games like tonight,” voiced Boyle.
“We have to come out fast, attacking and make the goalie work.
“Hopefully a win on Saturday, takes us into the international break and then we can work on a few things and hopefully go on a streak like we did a couple years ago.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
