Hibs boss address Premier League target's mental focus amid Nottingham Forest and Leeds United interest
French and German clubs also circling - so will someone meet asking price in January?
Hibs boss David Gray insists he has no concerns over Josh Mulligan having his head turned by Premier League interest. And he’s backed the former Dundee star to get even better after earning rave reviews in barely half a season at Easter Road.
Leeds United and Nottingham Forest have both reportedly added Mulligan to their list of January targets, although there has been no official contact with Hibs. The 23-year-old joined Hibs from Dundee as a free agent in the summer, with the clubs since agreeing terms on a development fee for a player who came through the academy ranks at Dens Park.
French club Lille and German side Wolfsburg have also been linked with Mulligan in reports. But talk of a release clause enabling a cheap sale are believed to be wide of the mark and, with Mulligan under contract until 2029, it would take serious money to shift him so early in his Hibs career.
The former Scotland Under-21 regular, compared to all-time Hibs favourite John McGinn by Martin Boyle just last week, was also called up to the senior national team squad earlier this season. And Steve Clarke has challenged the versatile midfielder/wingback to become a leader at Easter Road.
Gray, asked how he deals with players when talk of big money moves starts swirling around them, said: “I think it is very much individualised. I think until there's something to talk about, you don't really need to do it either. I think if people are speaking well of you or highly of you, then you must be doing something right.
“Sometimes your job is to bring them back down to earth. But I've never had to do that, to be honest, with any of the here.
“Josh just goes about his business the same every day. I wind him up now and again for being not the brightest!
“But he's a brilliant boy to work with. So I think he's just … you probably wouldn't even know any better. As long as he's in good frame of mind come Monday night (Rangers at Ibrox), ready to perform and maintain this level of performance, he's not doing himself any harm, that's for sure.
‘More to come’ from World Cup hopeful
“Josh has been fantastic since he came in. And there’s still a lot more to come. I believe.
“I think he's benefited in recent weeks from playing more consistently in one position because he was someone that obviously played in a couple of positions. And I think his level of performance at this moment in time is very strong.
“But there's still a lot more to come for Josh as well. And he's one of a few of the players that I'll be looking at the carrot of the World Cup next summer, and potentially what could happen there.
“How can you give yourself the best chance? The best possible opportunity for him is to play as well as he can week in, week out. That's his full motivation and concentration at the minute.
“He's definitely improving and getting better all the time. And I think, as I've just said, there is a lot more to come from him.”
Former Easter Road favourite John McGinn setting example
Gray believes former team-mate McGinn’s success with Aston Villa and Scotland, meanwhile, is an example for all young players, the ex-skipper saying: “I think you look at what John had done In terms of for Hibs. He was an outstanding player. Got his international recognition
“And it was up to John to then go down south to Villa annd then make an impression there. He's had to do that by working extremely hard.
“I think anyone who has ever worked with John will say the same thing I'd imagine. Which is he doesn't change.
“If you look at him you'd say he's not a football player. When he comes in in the morning, he’s not flash at all. He used to come in in his hoodie and his shorts. Every single day, regardless of people talking to him about how well he was doing. And I know people still talk about that at Villa.
“So John is a very strong example of someone who has made the most of his career. He's had struggles to overcome.
“I'm delighted for him that he's going to the World Cup. I think he fully deserves it As they all do. And he’s a brilliant example for young players at Hibs
“He shows what this platform can give you. But it's not just the opportunity. You need to then go and grab it and take it. And he's certainly done that.”
Do Scottish transfer fees reflect talent?
Asked if he felt that, in general, Scottish clubs had allowed players to go for too little in the way of compensation over recent years, Gray defended our footballing domestic product after a tough week of European defeats as he pointed out: “You're only worth what somebody is willing to pay for you - and what works for the football.
“If you look at the national team just now, lot of the top players are playing at the highest level - is only good for Scottish football. It's only good for the national team.
“Now we’re going to the World Cup, so I think the game is in a good place. I know people will be talking about it because results didn’t go our way in Europe last night – but I do believe the league is improving.
“I do believe there's a lot of good young Scottish players coming through. And the national team's littered with top players playing at the very highest level. So we need to remember that as well.”