Exclusive: Hibs dressing room derby defeat verdict revealed as star makes ‘unacceptable’ claim – and vows improvement.

By Gbam Godwin On Oct 6, 2025

Exclusive: Hibs dressing room derby defeat verdict revealed as star makes ‘unacceptable’ claim – and vows improvement.

First loss against Hearts since 2023 prompts Hibs players to analyse flaws and failures.

Hibs’ new boy Josh Mulligan has labelled Saturday’s late derby collapse as ‘unacceptable’, but maintained that David Gray’s side will learn from their injury-time heartache at Tynecastle.

And the former Dundee hero has informed Easter Road fans that they haven’t seen the best of him since his summer move.

Mulligan has impressed both in central midfield and at right wingback since joining from Dens in the offseason.

He paired Dan Barlaser in the heart of the park as Hibs came within seconds of securing a crucial point on enemy territory, only for Craig Halkett to score deep into added time.

Easter Road side lost TWO unbeaten records on Saturday

Hibs went into the first Edinburgh derby of the season undefeated in the league, having not lost to Hearts since December 2023. However, too many draws and too many late goals conceded have been a reoccurring problem for Grey and his coaching team.

Many members of the squad share Mulligan’s concerns, as he stated: “We were still in the game at Tynecastle for 92 minutes – and then we switched off at the last minute, which is unacceptable. We definitely need to examine ourselves. We shall look at ourselves and come back stronger.

“We realise we can do better. “The end goal is unacceptable.” I believe it has happened much too often this season, therefore we must investigate and ensure that it does not occur again.

We are all resolved that this does not happen again. “There’s a lot of heartache after losing the Derby. I’d say hurt is the most powerful feeling. Everyone is hurt.

But, individually. I need to get started immediately and focus on the next game to obviously make things right. I would describe the game as chaotic. It wasn’t perhaps the best game to watch.I think we’d done everything right for… well, not right, but we were in it Until we lost that late goal.

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“I found it difficult to get on the ball. There wasn’t much football played, therefore there were a lot of second balls and such.

But I don’t think it was a terrific game, so I need look at myself as well. I know I can do better, so I’ll practice hard today and come back stronger in the next game.

International break ‘torture’ for Hibs players

For Hibs players who are not playing in their national teams, the current international break will seem interminable. It’s like an extra week of misery until they meet Livingston at Easter Road on Saturday.

Overall, Mulligan should be delighted with his body of work since moving from Tayside to Edinburgh. He’s become a virtual constant in the starting lineup and has scored a few nice goals.

However, the former Scotland Under-21 star, who is still only 22, insists that he has yet to reach top form in a Hibs jersey, saying: “I’ve played the two positions, definitely. And it’s been excellent, I believe.

“But I believe I can provide more than what I have demonstrated. I’ve also had a number of games in which I performed well.

I hope it will improve with more games and confidence. “But perhaps, I’ll be able to continue after the break. Because that (against Hearts) was not good enough. “It’s been a lot of games since I signed, with all the European matches, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“I’ve quickly settled in and aim to maintain strong performances.” I know I wasn’t at my best against Hearts, so I need to reflect on that. To be honest, the entire team needs to evaluate our performance.