Hibs fitness updates on missing pair as Gray views Dundee United point through prism of Hearts challenge
Cadden and O’Hora both missed Tannadice warm-up for Edinburgh Derby
David Gray has revealed why first-teamers Warren O’Hora and Chris Cadden missed today’s battling draw with Dundee United at Tannadice. And the Hibs boss has explained why he believes that next weekend’s Easter Road showdown with Hearts provides his team with the ideal opportunity to build on a hard-earned point.
Gray, who handed Zach Mitchell his first Hibs start and promoted Kanayo Megwa to the starting XI, admitted to suffering mixed emotions after watching his team bounce back from the loss of an early goal to earn a 1-1 draw. He felt his team created the better clear-cut chances on the day – but could not argue, with any conviction, that they deserved to leave the City of Discovery with three Scottish Premiership points tucked away in the kit hamper.
On-loan Charlton defender impressed
Charlton loanee Mitchell performed well in place of O’Hora on the right of the back three, having waited since his arrival on deadline day to earn an appearance for the first team. The centre-half, who impressed during his spell with St Johnstone over the second half of last season, even got a vital flick-on as Martin Boyle equalised in a frantic first half.
Gray said: “Yeah, delighted for Zach. He's had to be very patient. He's someone that's came out to get game time and he knew the challenges before he came, about competition for places and having to train well.
“And that's one thing I would say about Zach. Lack of game time, yes, but the way he trains every single day.
“I think he's a very good example of someone who trains properly every day, with a level of professionalism, gets on with his work and certainly had a very good performance today that I'm delighted with. He deserves that for everything he's put into it.
“I think it's always hard for every player that doesn't play. I spoke to him a lot, knowing the situation. He's been a bit unfortunate and he knew that when he signed, when you've got Rocky Bushiri, Grant Hanley ahead of him.
“We always knew with Rocky going to Africa Cup of Nations that that would present itself as an opportunity potentially and he certainly took it today. So I'm delighted for him and it's something for him to go and build on now.”
A sickness bug ... and a new baby
Explaining the absences of both O’Hora and Cadden, Gray said: “Warren had sickness last night and then this morning he tried. He got up this morning and tried to eat something. But he's got a sickness bug. So he didn't make it, not well.
“And Chris Cadden, he and his partner had their first child yesterday. So he misses that for personal reasons.
“Yeah, they'll both be fine. No, they should be fine going into obviously next weekend.
“Nicky cadden came off, but that was just cramp more than anything else. Delighted with getting him back in and getting him game time again off the back of his injury. And he's came through the game unscathed.
“Today might be a very big point if you can go and back it up next week. It probably feels a bit disappointing because we've not put the complete performance in that we're capable of.
“We've not got a right to go anywhere and just think you can turn up and win. It's a difficult place to come. And we need to take the point and move on quickly.”
Hibs boss drops ‘very big moment’ claim ahead of Hearts
Hibs will undoubtedly get some sort of lift out of battling back for a point ahead of next weekend’s second Edinburgh Derby of the season, Gray saying: “Yeah, listen, you want to go in in the best possible form you can. The players know – and I know - exactly how much it means to everybody involved at the football club
“It could be a very big moment in our season if we can take this positive result, kick on from there. And there's no better game to go and do that in.”