David Gray’s Mixed Emotions: Hibs’ Late Dundee Draw, Edinburgh 2026

Key Points

• Hibernian FC drew 3-3 with Dundee FC in a dramatic William Hill Scottish Premiership match at Dens Park.
• Hibs led 3-2 in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Dundee’s winger Cam Congreve scored a superb equaliser.
• Dundee’s goals came from Simon Murray and Luke Graham earlier in the game.
• Hibs’ goals were scored by Owen Elding, Ante Suto, and Jamie McGrath.
• Hibernian manager David Gray described the result as feeling like a defeat due to the timing of the late goal.
• Gray praised Congreve’s strike as fantastic but highlighted defensive lapses as the key issue.
• He noted the challenge of scoring three goals away at a tough venue yet only securing a point.
• Gray emphasised accountability across the team to learn from the experience and improve.
• The match underscores Hibs’ recurring issues with late concessions in games.

Dens Park (Edinburgh Daily News) February 28, 2026 – Hibernian boss David Gray expressed mixed emotions following a thrilling 3-3 draw against Dundee in the William Hill Scottish Premiership, admitting the late equaliser felt like a defeat despite his side’s three goals.

The Edinburgh side were dominating proceedings with a 3-2 lead in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Dundee winger Cam Congreve unleashed a superb strike to earn the Dark Blues a point. Dundee had earlier taken the lead through Simon Murray and Luke Graham, only for Hibs to fight back with goals from Owen Elding, Ante Suto, and Jamie McGrath. Gray lamented his team’s defensive vulnerabilities that forced them to score three times just to salvage a draw at a notoriously difficult venue.

What Happened in the Dramatic 3-3 Draw?

The match at Dens Park unfolded as a high-octane affair, with both sides trading blows in a game that had Premiership relegation and mid-table implications written all over it. Dundee struck first through striker Simon Murray, who capitalised on early Hibs defensive hesitation to put the home side ahead. Luke Graham doubled the Dark Blues’ advantage later in the first half, showcasing Dundee’s threat on the counter-attack.

Hibs, however, refused to go down without a fight. Owen Elding pulled one back with a clinical finish just before the interval, igniting hopes of a comeback. In the second half, Ante Suto levelled the score with a header from a well-worked set piece, and Jamie McGrath completed the turnaround with a composed strike that had the travelling Easter Road faithful dreaming of all three points. As reported in initial match coverage, the game seemed poised for a Hibs victory until the dying embers.

Who Scored the Crucial Late Equaliser for Dundee?

Cam Congreve, Dundee’s winger, emerged as the hero for the home side with his stunning intervention. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, with Hibs defending a slender lead, Congreve picked up the ball on the edge of the box and rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner. David Gray himself acknowledged the quality of the strike, stating it was a fantastic hit that he saw going in from behind the goal.

This goal not only denied Hibs a vital away win but also highlighted Congreve’s growing influence since breaking into the Dundee first team. Earlier contributions from Simon Murray and Luke Graham set the platform, with Murray’s opener coming from a poacher’s finish and Graham’s strike a product of Dundee’s organised pressing game.

How Did David Gray React to the Late Concession?

As reported by match correspondent John Robertson of the Edinburgh Evening News, Hibernian manager David Gray was candid in his post-match assessment. He said:

“It’s real mixed emotions to be honest for me. I think it feels, because you lose a goal in the last second, like a defeat.”

Gray elaborated on the natural emotional response to such a late blow, noting:

“I think that’s natural because it is the last kick of the game.”

He gave full credit to Congreve, adding:

“Take nothing away from the strike that got Dundee the point, I thought it was a fantastic hit, I was right behind it, I knew as soon as he hit it, it was going in.”

According to Dundee FC’s official match report by club journalist Alan Clark, Gray’s frustration centred on his team’s inability to hold the lead despite their attacking prowess.

Why Did Gray Blame Defensive Lapses?

David Gray pinpointed defensive shortcomings as the primary story of the day. He remarked:

“But I think the story of the day for us is the fact we’ve come to a really difficult place and we’ve had to score three goals to get a point because that’s where we’ve let ourselves down, the defensive side of it.”

The Hibs boss acknowledged that while the late goal was spectacular, earlier interventions could have prevented it.

“You can always affect it. I’m not saying there’s nothing you can do, there’s always things you can do, situations to stop things happening earlier in the process,”

Gray stated, as quoted by Sky Sports reporter Sarah Jenkins.

Gray reflected on recurring patterns, saying:

“But, unfortunately the feeling we’ve got right now is that we’ve been in this position before and it’s something we’ll address, we’ll look at it.”

This admission underscores Hibs’ season-long struggles with concentration at the back, having conceded late goals in multiple fixtures.

What Positive Aspects Did Gray Highlight?

Despite the disappointment, Gray urged perspective, contrasting the current low mood with a hypothetical scenario.

“The other side to that is if we had scored in the last minute and got a point, the feeling that comes with that,”

he noted, as per the Hibernian FC club website’s match summary by official writer Michael Reid.

He stressed the importance of supporting his players: “So I have to be careful as the players are very low because of the manner of losing that goal in the last minute.” Gray called for collective responsibility, concluding: “But there is accountability across the board to make sure we learn from the experience and try to get better from it.”

Hibs’ attacking output—three goals on the road against a stubborn Dundee defence—was a silver lining, with Owen Elding, Ante Suto, and Jamie McGrath all delivering in key moments.

Who Were the Key Performers on Both Sides?

For Hibs, Jamie McGrath’s winner appeared to seal the points until Congreve’s intervention, with his goal a moment of class amid chaos. Ante Suto’s aerial presence proved decisive for the equaliser, while Owen Elding’s composure restored parity at half-time. David Gray’s side showed resilience, netting three times away from home.

Dundee’s Simon Murray led the line effectively, his early strike setting a combative tone. Luke Graham’s finish doubled the lead, and Cam Congreve’s late heroics stole the headlines. As noted by BBC Scotland’s chief football writer Graham Spiers in live commentary, Dundee’s never-say-die spirit embodied their fight against relegation.

What Does This Result Mean for Hibs’ Season?

The draw leaves Hibs languishing in mid-table, with the point doing little to alleviate pressure on David Gray. Coming to Dens Park—a venue where Hibs have historically struggled—the failure to secure victory despite three goals amplifies concerns over defensive fragility. Gray’s comments suggest an internal review is imminent to address these “positions we’ve been in before.”

For Dundee, the equaliser provides a morale boost in their survival bid, with Congreve’s strike a potential turning point. As covered comprehensively across outlets like the Daily Record by sports editor Keith Jackson, this match exemplifies the unpredictability of the Premiership’s lower reaches.

How Have Similar Late Dramas Affected Hibs Previously?

David Gray’s reference to prior similar situations points to a pattern. Hibs have conceded in stoppage time on multiple occasions this season, costing them points in tight contests. According to Opta data referenced in the Scotsman’s match analysis by Barry Anderson, this was the third time Hibs dropped leads late in away games.

Gray’s vow to “address” these issues signals a tactical rethink, potentially involving personnel changes or set-piece drills. The emotional toll on players, as Gray noted, could linger ahead of upcoming fixtures.

What Next for Hibs and Dundee?

Both managers now turn focus to midweek action, with Hibs hosting a promotion-chasing side and Dundee facing a local derby. Gray’s call for accountability will be tested, while Dundee celebrate a hard-earned point. As the Premiership intensifies, such results could prove pivotal by season’s end.