McPake signed for Hibernian on an initial six-month loan deal from Coventry City on 23 January 2012. He made his debut for the club the following Saturday, and was sent off in a 4–0 defeat to Rangers. He was made team captain on his first appearance. He led the team to safety from relegation, and former Hibs defender Craig Paterson expressed his hope that McPake would sign a longer deal with Hibs. McPake scored Hibs' only goal in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final, a 5–1 defeat to Hearts.