Hibs announced their pre-season friendly programme on 20 June 2012.[2][3] A fixture against Union Berlin was originally scheduled to be played at Easter Road, but was switched to Berlin.[4] A match against Rapid Bucharest, scheduled for 11 July, was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.[5] A fixture at East Fife was arranged instead.[6]
The league season began on 5 August 2012, with a 3–0 defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice.[7] The first home game was an Edinburgh derby, which saw an improved performance by Hibs as the game ended in a 1–1 draw.[7] Hibs earned their first win in the next game, away to St Mirren.[8] A run of results without defeat followed, suggesting that Pat Fenlon had succeeded in rebuilding the team.[9] Further positive results meant that Hibs reached the top of the league in November.[10][11] This was followed by a run of four defeats in five matches, including a 3–2 loss to Motherwell despite having led 2–0.[12] A win and a draw against Celtic and Hearts meant that Hibs went into the winter break with 32 points from 22 games, just one less point than they accrued in the whole of the 2011–12 season.[13] A poor run of results after the winter break, however, meant that Hibs slipped into the bottom half of the league at the split.[14] The match against Kilmarnock on 5 May was abandoned after 54 minutes played because a spectator had fallen gravely ill and required emergency medical assistance.[15][16] A run of victories towards the end of the season meant that Hibs finished in seventh place.[17]
Hibs entered the 2012–13 Scottish Cup in the fourth round, with a home tie against Edinburgh derby rivals Hearts.[20] Hibs captain James McPake welcomed the draw, an immediate repeat of the 2012 Scottish Cup Final.[20] A late deflected goal gave Hibs a 1–0 victory, ending a 12 match unbeaten run for Hearts in the derby.[21] Hibs were then drawn at home against Scottish Premier League opposition for a second time, being paired with the winner of a replayed tie between Aberdeen and Motherwell.[22] A long-range strike by Gary Deegan and a penalty save by Ben Williams were key contributions as Hibs defeated Aberdeen 1–0.[23] The quarter-final draw gave Hibs an away tie against Kilmarnock.[23]Leigh Griffiths scored a hat-trick as Hibs progressed to the semi-finals with a 4–2 victory at Rugby Park.[24]
Hibs were drawn against First Division club Falkirk in the semi-finals.[25] Hibs went into the semi-final on a poor run of form, which had cost them a place in the top half of the SPL.[14] Falkirk took a 3–0 lead before half-time, but Hibs produced "one of the great Scottish Cup fightbacks" to win 4–3 after extra time.[26]Celtic also won 4–3 in their semi-final, against Dundee United, to set up the 2013 Scottish Cup Final match. Despite Hibs having a bright start to the match, poor defending allowed Gary Hooper to score two first half goals for Celtic.[27] Hibs rarely threatened another comeback and Joe Ledley scored late on to clinch a 3–0 win for Celtic.[27]
As a Scottish Premier League club that had not qualified for European competition, Hibs entered the 2012–13 Scottish League Cup in the second round.[31] They were drawn away to Second Division club Queen of the South.[31] Hibs manager Pat Fenlon took a risk by resting key players, including captain James McPake, and this backfired as Queen of the South won 2–0 at Palmerston Park.[32]
Hibs narrowly avoided relegation from the Scottish Premier League during the 2011–12 season.[33] To do this, the club signed several players on loan during the January 2012 transfer window, all of whom returned to their parent clubs at the end of the season.[33] After the 5–1 defeat by Hearts in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final, the Hibs board of directors acknowledged the necessity of rebuilding the squad.[33]Pat Fenlon attempted to strengthen the defence by signing goalkeeper Ben Williams and defenders James McPake and Tim Clancy.[34]
Later in the window, Fenlon complained that other Scottish clubs, particularly the relaunched Rangers, were outbidding Hibs for players.[35] Fenlon was able to sign veteran Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi to provide an experienced target man.[8] Towards the end of the window, Fenlon commented that he was looking for more midfielders, as he was left without cover during a match against St Mirren.[36] Defender Ryan McGivern was signed on loan from Manchester City on the last day of the window, but Fenlon said afterwards he was still looking to strengthen one area of the squad.[37] He managed to strengthen the central midfield position in September, after signing free agent Tom Taiwo to a two-year deal.[38]
Approaching the January transfer window, Fenlon said that his main priority was an attempt to secure the services of the three loaned players (Griffiths, McGivern and Jorge Claros).[39] It was confirmed on 16 January that the deals for Griffiths and McGivern had been extended to the end of the season.[40] Former Hibs player Kevin Thomson, who had been released by Middlesbrough at the end of January, began training with Hibs in February.[41] He signed a short-term contract with Hibs in March, going without salary.[41]
During the 2012–13 season, Hibs used 30 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.
Source: SPFL Archive Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. Notes:
^ abcTeams in the bottom half at the time of the split may not overtake a team in the top 6 at the time of the split.
^Since the winners of 2012–13 Scottish Cup, Celtic, qualified for European competition based on league position, the runners–up Hibernian secured a spot in Europa League second qualifying round.
^"SQUAD ADDITION". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Dumbarton FC. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
