Revealed: What Hibs boss loved most about Sunshine on Leith serenade after 'statement win' over Hearts
Nicky Cadden injury update and video of emotional post-match scenes from five-goal thriller
Hibs boss David Gray hailed his Easter Road heroes for bagging the “statement win” needed to kick-start their season, as the Edinburgh Derby produced five goals and relentless drama. And Gray said his players had fully earned the rendition of Sunshine on Leith they enjoyed at full-time after a second consecutive home win over Hearts.
Speaking after seeing his team race into a 3-0 leader just over two minutes into the second half, only for two late Hearts goals to create unnecessary tension among the home support, Gray also hailed goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger for making a couple of injury-time saves to secure all three points. At the halfway point of a campaign when they’ve lost a number of tight encounters with teams in the top half of the table, the former club captain was thrilled to get the win.
Victory over league leaders a ‘big opportunity’
“We’ve mentioned a lot this season about what's eluded us, which is probably that statement win,” said Gray. “When you think of the games we've played, obviously going to Celtic Park and getting a point and then the other games against them, Rangers and Celtic and big games, playing well in the game but not really getting the result that you're required.
“I think a lot of that's to do with the expectation that's obviously risen off the back of last season and how well we started the season in Europe and the performances that we're capable of putting in. I don't always feel it's been a lack of effort or performance.
“Not always getting what you deserve is an element of that. I thought today we certainly got there in the end.
“This is the halfway point in the season, that's 19 games now. So we need to then use this as a big opportunity, use the positives from today to kick on.”
Proclaimers classic belted out with gusto
Hibs were serenaded by home fans with Sunshine on Leith twice in the space of a week last season, following wins over Celtic and then Hearts. Gray insists he never tires of hearing the Proclaimers classic being belted out.
“No, you certainly don't,” he said. “When I speak to the players and remind the players, some of the players that's the first time they've heard it.For other players, we heard it a few times last season.
“But what I truly love about the song is you need to earn it. It doesn't just come after a home win.
“It comes after big fixtures where you put everything into it and then it's an added bonus at the end. And I think that's what makes it special.
“And they're special moments; they're special games to be involved in. I say it all the time, I've said it all week in the build-up, that if you can come out on the positive side, what it can do for everybody.
“That togetherness that gets built along the way as well with this group of players who have managed to feel that and experience it now, it should just make you want it more often. You use that to build on.”
Gray provided an early update on Nicky Cadden, who created the opener after just two minutes but lasted less than half an hour after before being forced of with a recurrence of the calf problem that put him on the sidelines earlier this month.
“It's a wee bit early to tell just now,” said the manager. “He just felt his calf tighten up again. It is on the same side. He didn't feel it go so to speak. It is very early to determine that one.
“Clearly because he's had an issue there before, it's not something we want to risk and push on, especially in the intensity of that game as well. You can't have someone worried about their calf or an injury of some sort.
“Everybody needs to be 100 per cent. So we'll have to manage that one as quickly as we can and find out the extent of it. At this moment in time, I'm hoping it's not too significant but clearly it's still a bit of an issue there that we need to resolve.”
Forced to move Jamie McGrath to wingback as Josh Campbell came on, the Irishman – who had scored the opener – then set the substitute up for the second goal on a day when Kieron Bowie also found the net, Gray saying: “Josh Campbell, you know what you get when he comes on. He knows what it means to play in these games as well. Local boy, Hibs supporter.
“Not just in the derbies but every single day in training. What he gives you, he gives you that energy and drive which we've seen today.
“Delighted for him personally to get the goal. He's had to be patient. He's been in and out at times. But he's certainly someone that cares about the football club and has been at the club for a very long time.”
“He knows what it means to play for the club. So I'm delighted for him on a personal level. And then even when you think about the... you're then asking Jamie McGrath to play in a slightly different position
but I thought he was excellent. He really stuck to his task in a position that he probably wouldn't want to play. But Jamie being Jamie, he's someone that you can ask him to play anywhere and he'll certainly do it to the best of his ability.
“So, as I say, I'm delighted for the players today because it's very much deserved in terms of that statement win that I think has eluded us a little bit.
But for everyone they're putting into it and internally what I'm seeing and the belief within the group, hopefully we can use that to kick on now.