Hibs 'taking care of business' in Euro qualification race - Gray identifies key quality in Motherwell pursuit

Hibs boss David Gray hailed his team for “taking care of business” as they closed the gap on Euro rivals Motherwell to just three points. And he provided an update on two missing starters after watching his tweaked squad secure a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock at Easter Road.

Gray was thrilled to see his team score inside the opening 15 seconds, January signing Owen Elding netting his third goal in just seven appearances for Hibs. Fellow mid-season arrivals Felix Passlack and Ante Suto also found the net as the Hibees picked up a vital victory.

With Motherwell losing at home to Falkirk, and Jens Berthel Askou’s men heading to Tynecastle next weekend, the race to finish in fourth place – the last spot guaranteed to earn a crack at UEFA competition next season – suddenly looks very tight. Gray, who takes his team north to face an Aberdeen side spiralling towards relegation danger on Saturday, is keen to keep the pressure on the Steelmen.

“All we can do is worry about our level of performance and our result because of the situation we were in,” he said, adding: “So before the game, six points behind Motherwell, and only to play them one more time.

“So you're relying on other results, but all you can do is take care of your own business - and we've certainly done that today. Three goals at home, clean sheet, and that's three clean sheets in a row as well.

“So from a defensive point of view, and I've had a couple of changes within that part of the team as well, it was really pleasing. And our form, six games undefeated, needs to be strong at this stage of the season because of what's at stake.

“Momentum is huge in football, isn't it? It's the most important thing for success all the time.

“When I think back to the good runs that we've been on in the past, you don't always play well, but you find a way to win games. And that can be the momentum that's behind you.

“So this is the business end of the season, this is when it really matters most. And we can only control, as I've just said, what we're doing.

“We're now going into a situation, at the weekend, the last game before the split, which will be a difficult game up at Aberdeen. We’re going there in the best possible manner, off the back of a clean sheet, three goals at home and three points. We’ve still got six cup finals to give ourselves the best chance to finish as high up the table as we can.”

World Cup party causes Rocky delay

With Rocky Bushiri not yet back from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s World Cup celebrations, Scotland international Grant Hanley made his first appearance – for club or country – since February 1, the central defender playing a stalwart role in keeping Killie at bay.

Gray said: “Yeah, he certainly showed his experience again. Someone who's obviously picked up that injury, and he's not played for a long time.

“I know he went away with Scotland, but didn't play, came back again. So not had a lot of training time with him either, but he just shows that quality he's got, why he's played at such a high level for as long as he has, and certainly defended the box really well when needed to.

“We’ve seen the quality that he's got, and the leadership skills that he's got as well. Organising, pulling people around about him as well.

“I know he was tired towards the end, you can see that. I think that's something that he'll benefit from the 90 minutes and the legs today, and get better finishing the season as strong as we can.

“Rocky? Well, he's on the way back. So, it's great that, as I've already said, on a personal level for him, going to the World Cup, everything that they've set out to do, something for them to look forward to.

“And it's great now that he's got something to aim for between now and the end of the season. Now he's going to the World Cup, if he stays fit and stays strong and plays well. And that can only add to the momentum of the group and add to how he's going to be feeling when he comes back, which is great.”

Reflecting on his team’s performance, which saw them race into a 2-0 lead after 11 minutes before Ante Suto added a third with almost 93 minutes on the lock, Gray laughed as he said: “I did ask for a fast start, aye! I think every coach, you want to start with intensity, you want to try and get the crowd behind you.

“You want someone to really stamp their authority on the game so to score after 13-14 seconds is a pretty good return. I think Owen’s growing in confidence all the time. For such a young player, he's adapted really quickly to men's football.

“I know he's been playing men's football over in Ireland, which is a difficult level as well. But the step up, I think he's adapted really well to the intensity, and he's a really mature player for his age.

“I think you see that, his technical ability speaks for itself. There's a lot more to come from him as well, which is really pleasing.”

Nicky Cadden missed out on involvement after picking up an injury in training, the left wingback – still the top chance maker in the squad – watching on from the stand, Gray revealing: “So Nicky, he picked up a bit of a niggle in training at the back end of the week. This game, if this was the last game of the season, you'd maybe take that risk, because it's not a significant injury.

“But with his history and how he's feeling and how quickly it improved, the game was just too quick. But I fully expect him to be involved in training in the early part of next week and should be available, all being well, as long as he gets through that, and contention to be back in the squad for the Aberdeen game.”