Hibs striker Dwight Gayle believes there is a special bond between the players and fans.
The veteran striker joined the Hibs at the start of the 2024/25 campaign – getting his first taste of Scottish Football at the age of 34.
Since arriving in Leith, Gayle has made his mark on the capital – registering eight goal contributions in 18 games, including an assist in midweek in Hibs 3-1 victory over Dundee United.
And he is intent on adding to his list of special memories with the Club.
He said: “You can see what it means to the team at the moment, it was a nice moment to celebrate with the fans on Wednesday night – there is a great bond with the fans at the moment.
“There have been some great away performance so far this season and we are hoping there can be a few more.
“The togetherness in the dressing room is so important. A lot of our recent performances have actually been similar to the start of the season – where we were perhaps losing or conceding goals in the last minute.
“Now, there is a real belief and confidence in each other that if you slip – your friend is going to pick you up and save you. Everyone is taking their turn to help the team and there is a real togetherness within the team and the fans alike.”
In the last Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle Gayle scored the winning goal – coming off the bench to earn his side all three points on Boxing Day.
Going into the weekend, only four points separate the sides – with both Edinburgh clubs dramatically climbing the table in the last couple of months.
“Even though both teams come into it playing well, it is one of those games where form goes out the window,” Gayle continued.
“The fans will look forward to it all week and the players alike.
“We played really well last time against Hearts and deserved to be ahead in the game. We probably should’ve been up by more in the first half with the chances we created. The Gaffer will set us up to cause them a lot of problems again, especially with the fans behind us at home.
“It is going to be a massive game, the intensity is going to be high and there is everything to play for. We’re going to need to show a lot of experience and to be composed on the ball.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
