Saturday January 24th 2026
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
2006 was the last time Hibs lost a top flight fixture to Falkirk with a 3-0 win in their last match up adding to that streak.
It was polar opposite results for both last weekend. Hibs exited the Scottish Cup after a shock defeat at the hands of Championship Dunfermline whilst Falkirk did the shocking as they overcame league leaders Hearts on penalties.
Injury and illness left Hibs’ squad without its spine. They entered the match without both Nicky and Chris Cadden, Josh Campbell, Warren O’Hora, Thibault Klidje and Josh Mulligan.
It was apparent they were missing those unavailable as Falkirk completely dominated the away side, racing to a well deserved 2-0 lead at half time.
The first came in the 17th minute as university student Barney Stewart found the back of the net for his first Premiership goal. Falkirk were patient in their build up play as they bided their time looking for a potential opening. They eventually worked it wide left to Calvin Miller who’s low driven cross from the left gave an easy tap in for Stewart.
Hibs only sign of life was from a Jordan Obita freekick. His cross found the head of Grant Hanley who was denied by an acrobatic diving save from Scott Bain.
But, from there on it was back to Falkirk dominance.
You would be hard pressed to find a better goal this weekend than Falkirk’s second.
They worked the ball from front to back with sharp passing which pulled the Hibs side every which way. Gaps were a plenty and the Bairns dutifully exploited.
It was the same duo from the first who again combined for the second. After all the wonderful play, Millers low cross again found Barney Stewart for another simple finish.
David Gray would have not doubt had some ‘strong’ words for his side at half time, who would need to come out an entirely different side in the second to have an hope of finding some way back into the match.
Gray decided a formation switch was in order as Hibs changed to a 4-2-3-1 to try and match Falkirk and ease some pressure on the back 3.
The switch was rewarded as in the 59th minute a dangerous Jordan Obita corner was converted by Rocky Bushiri. His header sailed into the back of the net, giving Hibs a way back into the match and some hope of protecting their top flight unbeaten streak against Falkirk.
That hope was not long lived as the Hibs goal shocked Falkirk back into life, as they didn’t shy away and continued to hunt for more goals.
Their positive play turned good in 83rd minute as for the third time in the afternoon Barney Stewart scored. This time it was new signing Louie Marsh who was the provider, playing the ball across goal for Stewart to tap in his third, nearly identical goal to seal his hattrick.
Falkirk were not done there. A Louie Marsh strike deflected off Grant Hanley and into the net for 4-1 capping off a terrible afternoon for Hibs.
In the wake of a difficult few weeks for Hibs here is what David Gray had to say post-match about his side performance,
“I think we got actually what we deserved out the game today and I don’t want to come across saying we were so poor and take away anything from Falkirk because I thought they fully deserved it, they were better in every single phase of the game.
“When I talk about looking for a reaction, I certainly see it in training and feel it in training but that doesn’t count for anything. It’s when step over that white line.”
Gray was apologetic to the travelling supporters for his sides on pitch display:
“I can only apologise because it’s a reflection on my team. I’m responsible for that. I pick the team, I pick the players on the pitch and all I can do is apologise for that because I know that, that’s nowhere near good enough.
“The fans will be rightly going home today, who came again in their numbers, the effort that goes into that, will be going extremely disappointed.
Falkirk close the gap and go two points Hibs as both remain in fifth and sixth respectively.
The difficult fixtures don’t stop for Hibs as they take on Rangers next, a fixture you have to feel is of growing importance for David Gray as questions marks about his position in charge begin to grow.
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