Hibs boss answers Hearts title talk question with 'very early' comment ahead of Edinburgh Derby at Easter Road
David Gray in ‘league doesn’t lie’ nod to rivals’ form over first half of Scottish Premiership campaign
Hibs boss David Gray believes it’s “very early” to be talking about a Hearts title challenge. But he accepts that his team’s nearest and dearest rivals are top of the Scottish Premiership on merit.
Gray is looking up the table ahead of Saturday’s Edinburgh Derby at Easter Road, stressing that his team are within touching distance of third place. Frustrated by inconsistency over the first half of the campaign, he is hopeful of having both Chris Cadden and Warren O’Hora available after the pair missed Saturday’s draw with Dundee United at Tannadice.
Asked outright if he believed that Derek McInnes’ team were title contenders, Gray said: “I think it's very early to be talking about winning leagues. One thing I would say is that the league doesn't lie at this moment in time.
“I think they've been a form team, they've only lost one game. So I think that level of consistency has put them in a fantastic position.”
Easter Road side set example last season
Hibs famously turned their entire season around just about at the halfway point last year, Gray pointing out: “I think when I think back to where we were this time last season, to where we are now, it's progress in terms of moving forward. I'm looking at this game and looking at the opportunity to build on last weekend.
“The point that we've had at United, there's frustrations within it, but it becomes a very good point if you go and back it up with what's coming up for us. So we've got back-to-back home games. If you can go and get three points in the derby, the momentum we can get for that and really kick on.
“And that's what I'm trying to get over to the players about, trying to be more consistent and trying to put a run together. This is definitely an opportunity to try and do that.
“There’s only five points between fifth and eighth, but I also think we're five points off third. So it just shows you can look at that any way you want.
“I think, if I flip back to where we were, the biggest frustration for us at the moment is probably that consistency of result. I think performances have been good at times when we haven't quite got what we deserved.
“But the belief needs to be there, you need to keep putting yourselves in these positions, keep believing it's going to turn, demonstrating to players why you think it will. Because it's not as if we've not won games of football, not at all. But we need to start doing it on a more consistent basis.
“And I think we're all aware of that, it's my responsibility to make sure that comes. But I do see the up and coming fixtures against the teams that are going to be round about us at the moment in time.
“Added into that, you've got an Edinburgh derby at home, and the magnitude of that game, regardless of, where we are on the table. The magnitude of this game and what that can really do for you.
“I still think it's an exciting time, the players have got an opportunity to really put the foot down and kick on now. But it starts with what would be a very good result at home, that we need to try and get this weekend.”
Asked if there was an extra degree of pressure on Hibs to put a spoke in the wheels of any potential title challenge by their city rivals, Gray said: “Yeah, I understand why you'd ask it. I'll go back to what I said at the very start.
“I don't think it really matters, regardless of where we are in the league, what division we're in, to the magnitude of this game and what it means to the supporters. It wouldn't matter. It could have been a friendly down the public park and it would still have the same meaning to what's at stake.
“So I don't see it as more pressure on us. I think that pressure would always be there, regardless of where we find ourselves in the league.”
Insisting that Hibs have the quality to take the game to Hearts, Gray said: “When you think back to some of the performances we've put in this season, when we do put it all together with that complete performance, we're a very good side, I know that. We've demonstrated that already.
“When you think back to the European games, and even when you look at the last derby, it was very, very fine margins. We hit the bar at one end, and then you lose a goal right at the last second in the other. So, very little on the day that day.
“I expect it to be a real tight affair this weekend again. I think we’re going in the right direction.”
Nicky Cadden fitness latest
Nicky Cadden is fit despite limping off with cramp against United, Gray confirming: “In terms of what we picked up during the game, nothing significant. By the time the derby comes around, Chris Cadden will be available – and Warren O’Hora is feeling better today, done a little bit of light training after recovering from his illness.
“Rudi Molotnikov trained as well today, so that's another, I don't think he won't be ready for the derby so to speak. But for how long he's been out, to be back on the grass and amongst the group again is a positive.
“So from that point of view, we should be as strong as he can be by the time the derby comes.”