Exclusive:Hibs boss in Hearts 'no accident' title favourite claim as high stakes add 'spice' to Easter Road derby
Sunday’s game gives home side one last chance to directly impact on rivals’ championship ambitions
David Gray insists there’s been no element of “chance” in title-chasing Hearts maintaining their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. And the Hibs boss admits that the increased stakes – for BOTH clubs – adds extra “spice” to Sunday’s final Edinburgh derby of a remarkable season.
Derek McInnes takes his team to Easter Road this weekend seeking a victory that would maintain their advantage over nearest challengers Rangers and Celtic regardless of results elsewhere. Hibs are still actively engaged, meanwhile, in the race to qualify for European football for the second consecutive season – something the club haven’t achieved in half a century.
Among home fans, the priority is to stop Hearts from claiming a spectacular title triumph. And Gray understands exactly why that matters so much to supporters on both sides.
No ‘dead rubbers’ in derby rivalry
Asked about this being his team’s last chance to directly impact on their rivals’ hopes of making their own piece of history, the Hibs boss admitted: “It means so much to both clubs because of what we're trying to achieve this season and because of what's left this season – and what's still to play for. That goes for both football clubs.
“Now, there is no such thing as a dead rubber when it comes to derbies. But this one's obviously got that added bit of spice to it. So I'm sure everybody will be looking forward to that one.
“I think the derby is a real ... I say it all the time. And I think if you probably go back over all my press conferences around about the derby, I say probably similar things all the time. Because I really do believe it.
“The game sells itself. These are the best games to be involved in.
“The fact that there's such significance for both clubs at this stage of the season, that’s just one factor. Because the derby could be the first game of the season, last game of the season, a friendly, and we know how much it means to everybody.
“The fact there is that added incentive certainly adds an extra layer to it. But it's just a brilliant, brilliant game to look forward to.
“Derbies always take care of themselves. I think there'll always be that extra bit of competitiveness, just because it is a derby, but also because of what it means to everybody involved. I don't think it really matters who's in form, who's in the position we're in.”
Hibs have lost twice to Hearts at Tynecastle, both 1-0 defeats coming courtesy of agonising late goals for the home side. Gray’s men also romped into a commanding 3-0 lead over their city rivals at Easter Road back in December, only for another couple of late Hearts strikes to add some dramatic tension to the closing stages of a one-sided contest.
Hearts bounced back from Easter Road loss to Hibs
But the Gorgie side have only lost three out of their last 14 league games since that last derby defeat, picking up nine wins to stay top of the pile. Gray, asked if he was in any way surprised to see Hearts still in pole position heading into the final five-game stretch of the campaign, made his views clear.
“No, definitely not - because I think it doesn't happen by accident,” he said. “When you look at how they've been consistent all season in terms of how they've went about their business, they've found ways to win games at times.
“I think I even listened to Del's post-match after the Motherwell game. They managed to get through. Motherwell had really big chances in the game.
“They could have went either way at certain times, but they found a way to dig it out. That's what they've done really well all season. That doesn't happen by accident.
“If it happens once in the season, you'd say: ‘Well, that could be down to chance’. But I think the fact that they are a very hard side to beat, as you've seen, as we've felt already this season, there's been very little within the games. They find ways to win.”