Hibs reaction as vital victory over Aberdeen maintains momentum - plus fitness latest on Boyle and Bowie
’Never a good sign’ admission as star striker awaits hamstring scan
David Gray hailed a ‘huge’ win over Aberdeen as his Hibs players harnessed the emotional momentum of their derby victory to continue closing the gap on the Scottish Premiership leaders. And the Easter Road boss provided a blunt injury update after seeing Martin Boyle forced out of tonight’s 2-0 triumph with a hamstring issue.
With Scotland striker Kieron Bowie already out through illness, the loss of Boyle could have put Hibs in a hole. But club record signing Thibault Klidje scored a fine opener set up by substitute Elie Youan – and fellow replacement Junior Hoilett made it 2-0 in injury time.
Victory builds on win over Hearts
Gray, addressing the importance of building on their weekend defeat of Hearts with a second straight win on a night when Motherwell beat champions Celtic and Rangers also picked up three points, said: “Yeah, I think it's huge. I know I spoke a lot about what was coming up, you think back to the Dundee United game before Christmas and saying it's a big point if you go and back it up with your home form. But they're two very hard games (against Hearts and Aberdeen).
“Everything that went into the derby, the way the game went, the emotion that goes into it at the end. I thought tonight was always going to be trying to lift the players again and make sure they use that momentum.
“I did feel it was a wee bit flat at the start of the game to be honest. Even in the stadium you've sort of felt that a little bit.
“But it's a massive win, a huge win that I think we deserved over the piece. Clean sheet at home as well which is always something you're looking for and something to build on. Back to back wins is never easy to do. So, I'm delighted for the players because I think they fully deserve it.”
Explaining how his players had bounced back from a horribly flat first half to dominate the Dons after the break, Gray said: “It was just reminding the players that sometimes if teams aren't quite pressing you or sitting off a little bit that you need to then take the game on. You can't just wait for somebody else to do it for you.
“So a little bit more intent to go forward. Try and get on the front foot a little bit more.
“I certainly saw that; I thought in the second half we were much more like ourselves. And we got the goals at good times.
“I think that was another thing that was hugely important tonight, getting that first goal when we did. And then obviously the second one just allows you to see the game a little bit easier rather than just going in to the last eight minutes or so of time added on with only one goal. Over the piece when you add together everything that went into the weekend, huge three points and I'm delighted for the players.”
Top scorers Boyle and Bowie both sidelined
Providing an update on Boyle, who pulled up while making an overlapping run just after the half-hour mark, Gray said: “It's too soon to say just now. I think it's never a good sign, especially somebody as quick as him, when you see him running like that and he pulls up straight away.
“So he's clearly felt something. When you speak to him now he's actually quite positive about it. He says it doesn't feel too bad but it's far too early to take it. He feels his hamstring a little bit.
“So we'll obviously scan that as quickly as we can and make sure we find out if it's too early to say exactly what it is. But he's reasonably positive about it just now.
“But it's always a concern when somebody pulls up like that. So we certainly won't be taking a risk. We'll make sure we look after that properly.”
Gray is optimistic that Bowie will be back to face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday, saying: “I fully expect him to be okay for the weekend. He had a bit of a sickness last night and then through the night, to be honest.
“We had one last weekend with Warren O’Hora as well. And that was only a 24-hour thing, 48 hours.
“So we're hoping that that would be the same. And he should be available for the squad for the weekend.”
Hibs are still waiting for a scan result on Nicky Cadden’s calf injury after the wingback was forced out of the Hearts win in the first half.