Why Hibs striker puzzle is trickier than it looks for Gray

Truth be told, Hibs are creating plenty of chances - they just can't seem to get the ball in the net as often as they should. Dwight Gayle had a hat-trick of opportunities against Hearts; Mykola Kukharevych likewise in the first half of the 2-1 defeat by Motherwell. Kwon Hyeok-kyu tends to have a few shots each game but has yet to properly trouble a goalkeeper; Marvin Ekpiteta and Warren O'Hora have the height to cause problems at set-pieces, and Joe Newell does pop up every now and then with a worldie. 

Kukharevych and Martin Boyle are the only two players to have scored more than one league goal, and with the Ukrainian forward suspended for the visit of St Mirren on Saturday, attention turns to who could replace him. 

But with Kieron Bowie suspended, Gray has limited options and even then, those options come with their own risks. 

The obvious option - Dwight Gayle

The experienced striker would be the obvious choice provided he is fit. The 1-1 draw with Dundee United came too soon for him but, bar any setbacks, another week of training should mean he is in a position to replace Kukharevych in the starting line-up. 

Dwight Gayle in action for Hibs (Image: Rob Casey - SNS Group) He has one goal from his four appearances to date - a header against Dundee United at Tannadice - and should really have added to his tally in the Edinburgh derby. His nous and prowess could be utilised well by Hibs should he start.

But...

It's doubtful that he could manage the full 90, having felt his hamstring after 61 minutes against Hearts, so if he does start in place of Kukharevych then his minutes may have to be managed quite carefully. Gray has spoken previously 

The 'done a job in the past' option - Martin Boyle

Martin Boyle isn't a huge fan of playing centrally; he's said as much himself. But, he has played there before, has an eye for goal and is the club's leading scorer with five, even if most of them came in the Premier Sports Cup group stages. 

With Boyle struggling to be as influential as he would like in recent weeks, would a change of position, even temporarily, spark something in the 31-year-old?

Playing Martin Boyle up front could weaken Hibs on the right flank (Image: SNS Group) Chris Cadden's likely return to the squad this weekend, and the availability of Nicky Cadden, Junior Hoilett, and Élie Youan means that Gray does have options in the wide areas.

But...

Boyle hasn't ever led the line for Hibs as a lone striker and when he has been used as a centre-forward it tends to have been in a two. And, as this article outlines, Gray barely has enough centre-forward to go with one up front, never mind two. 

The 'mercurial, but could be inspired' option - Élie Youan

Barely a week goes by without Élie Youan sparking days of discussion on social media and fans' forums because of a cryptic Instagram post. It's not so long ago that his social media was full of hype videos showing his latest goal or assist in Hibs colours. 

It would be fair to say that it has not been an easy few months for the Frenchman. Linked with a move away in the summer that ultimately didn't transpire, he suffered an injury during the Premier Sports Cup group stages that kept him sidelined for an extended period of time - and that's before taking into consideration the abuse he has received on social media, which descended into racial abuse in August.

Élie Youan has the talent to turn a game on its head (Image: Ross Parker - SNS Group) Since returning to action he's started just two games for Hibs - but he still looks like he has what it takes to provide a spark, to turn a game in Hibs' favour with one of those darting runs, followed by a goal or an assist for a team-mate. 

Whether or not he will get the nod in a central role from the start remains to be seen. Much will depend on Gayle's fitness, but don't bet against him seeing some sort of game time on Saturday. 

But...

Youan has no goals or assists in the league this season and it would be an awfully big call to place so much expectation on him in such an important game. If anyone is capable of putting on a show, however... 

The 'this could actually happen, but probably won't' option - Josh Campbell

The versatile Josh Campbell has played just about everywhere for the Hibs first team except, somewhat ironically, centre-back, which is where he made a name for himself in the club's academy sides. 

Somewhat incredibly, he has two goals from three appearances as a centre-forward (albeit one was a penalty), and his energy has been well-used by all of Hibs' previous managers since he broke into the first team proper under Jack Ross.

Josh Campbell has been used as a makeshift centre-forward in the past (Image: Simon Wootton - SNS Group) But...

He seems to have fallen out of favour a little bit with Gray recently and it's hard to see him coming back into the starting line-up, let alone as a centre-forward. And can he be relied upon to provide goals?  

The 'wildcard' option - Harry McKirdy

We have seen fleeting glimpses of Harry McKirdy this season off the bench, and Gray mentioned him as a possible option when asked about his plans by the Evening News, saying: "Harry McKirdy can play up there; Harry's played as a number nine, probably what he feels is his best position."

That it would be less of a surprise to see  Josh Campbell deployed as a false nine than it would be to see McKirdy handed a first league start since April 2023 speaks for itself, but should we read anything into Gray highlighting the former Swindon Town man as a possibility, unbidded? 

Harry McKirdy in action against Motherwell in a previous substitute appearance (Image: Alan Harvey - SNS Group) His goal in pre-season against Edinburgh City is a reminder of what he can do and he has certainly has the maverick nature that we don't see enough of in football these days.

You get the distinct impression were he to start as a number nine it would either be 'first-half hat-trick and sent off for a second bookable offence for excessive celebrations' or 'hooked at half-time having failed to get a shot on target' with absolutely no middle ground. 

But...  

McKirdy hasn't played much as a centre-forward for Hibs, and if he has struggled to show his best out wide, it's perhaps too much of a risk asking him to lead the line - particularly as the ebullient 27-year-old hasn't enjoyed the best of luck in a Hibs shirt. Still, like the team in general, surely he's due a change in fortunes sooner rather than later... 

What will Gray do?

Another alternative would be to shift to a 352 formation to accommodate two forwards, or to the 4411 Gray used at Ibrox, with Campbell as a supporting striker behind Kukharevych. But each move brings with it another issue. Where would Junior Hoilett, arguably one of Hibs' best performers in recent weeks, fit into a 352? And which one of Kwon, Joe Newell, or Nectar Triantis would drop out from the midfield in a 4411? 

David Gray has a decision to make ahead of Saturday's game (Image: Paul Devlin - SNS Group) Assuming Gayle is fit and he sticks to the 433 with Triantis sitting, Kwon and Newell supporting the attack, Gray can choose from Boyle, either Cadden, Hoilett, or Youan for his wide forward options with the former Newcastle United man spearheading the attack.

When Gayle's race is run, Gray will likely have options to replace him and stick with the 433, or adjust it and still get the best out of his team. 

Given their overall performance was decent enough, it would be no great surprise to see the same starting XI as last week, with Gayle replacing Kukharevych.

Gray and the team will no doubt be craving some continuity and even with a change at number nine, sticking with the same team barring any injuries or knocks represents the best chance of finally grabbing that elusive second league win.