Hibs boss Gray on Bowie scoring response to Old Firm 'speculation' and star man's absence from Motherwell test
Retaining Scotland striker a priority despite interest from Celtic and Rangers
Hibs boss David Gray admits he’s aiming to retain all of his key players during a January market frenzy – after watching Kieron Bowie respond to the latest “speculation” surrounding his future with a goal-scoring performance in today’s battling 1-1 home draw against Motherwell. And he’s explained the absence of Miguel Chaiwa, another player reportedly linked with a move away from Easter Road, from today’s squad.
Bowie has been the subject of interest from both Rangers AND Celtic, as well as Premier League relegation fodder Wolves. But there has been no contact with Hibs to discuss an asking price for a player who cost the Edinburgh club around £600,000 when they signed the former Raith Rovers forward from Fulham at the start of last season.
Gray, pleased to see the Scotland striker bag a thumping equaliser that keeps his team just two points behind Motherwell, admitted that keeping prize assets is as much a priority as making new signings over the coming weeks, saying: “I think that's what you're always trying to do. You want to keep as many players as you can.
“One thing we can't do anything about is speculation. That's always going to be there. As soon as the window opens, that's naturally going to happen.
“You mentioned Kieron Bowie. I'm sure between now and the end of the window that will come up again.
“Josh Mulligan gets mentioned. We've got a lot of players that will attract attention. Because they're playing at a high level.
“One thing they all need to do is keep improving. They all know that. They're part of a side at the moment that is improving, getting better. They train hard.
Manager provides answer on contact from buying clubs
“And as I say, the biggest thing, and it starts right at the very top, from the football club with the Gordon family, is they always want to try and improve the squad and move the squad and make the club better. And by doing that you obviously want to hold on to your assets but at the same time you want to try and strengthen. So I think it is very much a balance in making sure we finish it stronger.”
Asked if there had been any expressions of interests received in relation to Bowie, Gray said: “I think the speculation is something that's going to be there in terms of people approaching the club. One thing that Kieron needs to do, the same as all the other players, is just keep doing what they're doing.
“If people are talking about him because they're doing well, winning, they can't do anything about it what people say or speculation. They need to just keep their feet on the ground, keep working hard and keep improving. And the best thing about it is that they all do that.
“So you think about all the players that have been mentioned and know they will continue to attract attention if they keep playing at a high standard. It's good that people are saying nice things about people. It means you're doing something right and that's the most important thing.”
Miguel Chaiwa absence explained
Miguel Chaiwa has also been linked with a couple of clubs at home and abroad, according to some reports, but Gray said his absence from today’s match-day squad wasn’t linked to transfer talk. The midfielder has just recently returned from his Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Zambia.
“Yeah, he's back,” said Gray. “It's the first I've heard in terms of interest in Miguel.
“I think he's just at different stages. The international players coming back at different times, different schedules at this moment in time. That's why he wasn't involved today.
“Nothing to do with the transfer or anything like that. But it's good to have the three boys (Chaiwa, Jordan Obita and Rocky Bushiri) back because they're playing at a very high level. They add that strength and depth to the squad. So there's certainly nothing in that for me.”
Explaining his decision to substitute Jamie McGrath early in the first half of today’s game, Gray said: “Yeah, a bit ill. He had a bit of an illness. He wasn't feeling well.
“Just felt a bit sick within the game. Didn't feel himself. Low energy. So we took him off for that reason.”