Hibs prove and make their points as David Gray's six big decisions pay off

Making his first start since the end of 2025, midfielder Josh Campbell bagged an early brace to send Hibs on their way. They were three ahead at the interval thanks to Jordan Obita's strike and that lead was enough to clinch the victory despite Ben Broggio breathing life back into Falkirk on 73 minutes.

Hibs have endured a rough spell where they have lost three matches in a row - one of which to capital rivals Hearts - and had four players sent off in the process. David Gray's side were much more disciplined here and maintained their full complement of players. It always helps when trying to win football matches.

Their downturn had permitted Falkirk to enter the equation for fifth place, which could bring a Conference League place depending on Celtic winning the Scottish Cup. The Bairns went into this match two points behind Hibs, who in turn trailed fourth-placed Motherwell by six. That gap is now down to four after the Steelmen drew 1-1 against Hearts later on Saturday night.

Bruised by recent events, this looked a tricky little fixture on paper for Hibs. It is to their credit that they navigated a way past a team that slapped them 4-1 in January at the Falkirk Stadium. Gray made six changes to his starting XI. Red-card receivers Raphael Sallinger, Felix Passlack and Grant Hanley came back in, as did Dan Barlaser. Goalscorers Obita and Campbell were also inserted into the team and rewarded Gray.

Hibs pressed Falkirk from the off, with Campbell operating as a No 10. The 26-year-old academy graduate has struggled for gametime since the turn of the year but always promises energy, honesty and a goal-threat. He supplemented strikers Owen Elding and Martin Boyle well and Falkirk, who were open throughout, couldn't deal with Hibs' attacking presence.

All of Gray's big decisions were vindicated. He announced on Friday that Sallinger would come straight back for No 2 keeper Jordan Smith in after his brainless and costly error against Hearts to pick the ball up outside the box. The Austrian fared fine, as did Hanley, who needs minutes ahead of Scotland's World Cup campaign. Passlack provided an assist and there were no failures in a polished away display.

While Falkirk can still catch Hibs, the five-point gap feels fairly insurmountable given they face Hearts at Tynecastle next before welcoming Rangers. Hibs stay on Motherwell's coattails, whom they face on the final day of the season. A trip to Ibrox comes before then.

How the game unfolded

Hibs hit the front three minutes in with the most straightforward of goals. Obita delivered an inswinging corner and Campbell timed his run perfectly to firmly head the ball into the ground and past the helpless Falkirk keeper Nicky Hogarth,

Falkirk tried to respond and their best moments came down the right via Kyrell Wilson, with one ball flashed tantalisingly across the face of goal. But Hibs doubled their advantage on the 20-minute mark when Jack Iredale played in Martin Boyle and the latter's cute cross was headed home from close range by Campbell again.

Hibs tossed away a two-goal advantage at this venue back in September. Therefore the third strike, on 40 minutes, was most welcome for Gray and Co. Passlack drove down the right flank and his cross skittled all they way across to left-back Obita, who drilled the ball low past Hogarth to give the visitors a sizeable advantage at the break.

Falkirk pushed for a way back in at the start of the second half but were unable to test Sallinger. Manager John McGlynn turned to his bench just before the hour-mark in an attempt to freshen up his attack by bringing on Ben Parkinson and Broggio for the now quiet Wilson and Fin Yeats.

There was further angst for the hosts when Filip Lissah caught his foot in the synthetic surface and turned his ankle. The defender was unable to continue.

However, they found a foothold in this match on 73 minutes when Broggio let fly from just outside the penalty box and the ball nestled high past Sallinger.

That should have given Falkirk impetus to mount a grandstand finish, but it was not to be. Calvin Miller fizzed an effort wide and Henry Cartwright missed a diving header from right in front of goal. Hibs, who were a muted attacking presence in the second half, were content to see the game out. The job was done 45 minutes earlier.

This has been a fine season from the Bairns upon their return to the top flight but they now appear booked for sixth. Hibs have at least maintained their hopes of European football.

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