Hibernian’s impressive resurgence this season has been recognised with two major award nominations, showcasing the impact of both their management and emerging talent. David Gray, in his debut campaign as a head coach, has been shortlisted for the prestigious William Hill Manager of the Year award by the Scottish Football Writers Association (SFWA). Meanwhile, on-loan midfielder Nectar Triantis, who has been a standout performer during his return spell from Sunderland, is among the final four contenders for the SFWA Player of the Year honour. His powerful displays in the heart of midfield have not only elevated Hibs’ performances but also earned him a maiden senior call-up to the Australian national team under new coach Tony Popovic.
Triantis faces tough competition for the accolade, with Celtic stars Daizen Maeda—freshly crowned PFA Scotland Player of the Year—and Callum McGregor, as well as Dundee’s Simon Murray, also in the running. Still just 21, Triantis has flourished under Gray’s leadership and remains under contract with Sunderland for another year. However, Hibs are reportedly eager to negotiate an extension to keep the Socceroos prospect at Easter Road beyond the current season.
Gray, who took charge on an interim basis following Nick Montgomery’s dismissal last term, was only confirmed as permanent boss during the summer. Tasked with revamping a bloated and underperforming squad, Gray acted swiftly to overhaul the playing staff, bringing in 12 new faces to revitalise the team. Yet the start of the campaign was far from promising, with Hibs recording only one win from their opening 14 Premiership matches and sitting bottom of the table by early December after a heavy 3-0 loss to Celtic.
Despite the early setbacks, Gray turned the tide in remarkable fashion. Backed publicly by the club’s board, he led Hibs on a stunning 17-game unbeaten run in the league, propelling them into the top six ahead of the post-split fixtures. Though that streak was recently ended with a narrow defeat to Aberdeen, Hibs rebounded convincingly by beating Dundee United 3-1. With three games remaining, the club now sits third in the table, holding a three-point cushion over Aberdeen and a six-point advantage over United. Their current position makes European qualification highly likely—and if Celtic secure the Scottish Cup, Hibs could find themselves in the Europa League play-offs, with a guaranteed Europa Conference League group stage berth as a fallback.
Elsewhere in Edinburgh, while Hearts have endured a forgettable campaign and missed out on the top six, a glimmer of promise has emerged in the form of teenage forward James Wilson. The youngster has been shortlisted for the SFWA DoubleTree by Hilton Young Player of the Year award, joining Motherwell’s Lennon Miller and Kilmarnock duo Bobby Wales and David Watson in the final reckoning.
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