St Mirren vs Hibernian. Scottish Premiership.
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St Mirren 2-2 Hibs: David Gray's side secure third in Scottish Premiership despite conceding late equaliser
Report as St Mirren come from behind to draw 2-2 with Hibs; Martin Boyle opened the scoring; Mykola Kukharevych put David Gray's side 2-0 up; Richard Taylor pulled a goal back; Conor McMenamin equalised; Hibs will finish third in the Scottish Premiership this season
Thursday 15 May 2025 07:44, UK
Hibernian secured third place in the Scottish Premiership despite throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at St Mirren.
Goals from Martin Boyle and Mykola Kukharevych in the opening 10 minutes looked to have handed David Gray's side complete control.
Saints, though, got one back through Richard Taylor just before half-time and then found an equaliser midway through the second half from Conor McMenamin.
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But with Aberdeen losing heavily at home to Celtic, the draw was enough to confirm third for Hibs with a game to spare and with it the possibility of European group-stage football next season should the champions go on to win the Scottish Cup.
The draw also kept alive St Mirren's chance of playing in Europe next term as they moved within a point of fifth-placed Dundee United.
Hibs secure European return
Junior Hoilett came into Hibs' starting line-up and was involved when his side moved in front after just two minutes.
His pass picked out Boyle and his shot squeezed past goalkeeper Zach Hemming at his near post.
The forward had the ball in the net again just minutes later but, after a prolonged VAR check, it was ruled out for offside.
Hibs, though, did score again after 10 minutes. Caolan Boyd-Munce gave the ball away in midfield and Boyle was quick to spring the counter-attack. Hoilett then crossed for Kukharevych to score from close range.
It was one-way traffic at this point and only a smart stop from Hemming kept out a goal-bound Boyle effort.
The home side began to belatedly show some life but Killian Phillips' volley with the outside of the boot drifted narrowly over.
The Irishman then almost claimed an unlikely assist when his cross was almost sliced into his own goal by Lewis Miller.
Saints did finally get a goal back just before half-time. Phillips' free-kick was headed back across goal by Marcus Fraser for Taylor to thrash past Jordan Smith with the aid of a deflection.
That gave the home side hope after a dreadful start and they drew level after 65 minutes when Roland Idowu's cross was converted by substitute McMenamin.
St Mirren then thought they had forged in front when Mikael Mandron rolled the ball into an empty net only for referee Chris Graham to chalk it off for a foul in the build-up.
The home side threw everything to try to find a winner. Greg Kiltie had an effort well saved by Smith before McMenamin hit the post as Hibs held out to earn their point.
Gray 'always believed'
Hibs head coach David Gray speaking to Sky Sports News:
"There were real dark times at the start and tough moments in the season and I feel we took that responsibility because the return we had at the start of the season for the level of points from the games we played wasn't good enough.
"I understood exactly why the criticism was there, exactly why people would ask the question, but one thing I never, ever felt was I never felt a loss to players and I think that's something that I could always demonstrate.
"They were always going to run for me and I was able to demonstrate why I believe we could turn it around and then full credit goes to all the players.
"I think every single one of them, to go on this run, to turn it around like they did, going through that adversity, the togetherness off the back of that and then everyone buying into it every single day and trying to push it forward.
"It's easy to say once it has turned around, but I always believed it would turn around."
