Hibs urged to make swift appointment - or risk early silverware slip-up

David Gray (right) and Rocky Bushiri after the 1-1 draw with Livi. | SNS Group

Hibs interim boss David Gray has urged the club to sort out their coaching team, playing philosophy and much-needed squad overhaul as quickly as possible. And the Scottish Cup-winning skipper insists the team should already be planning their assault on next year’s League Cup.

Yesterday’s 1-1 away draw with Livingston saw Hibs finish eighth in the Scottish Premiership. Two managers – Lee Johnson and Nick Montgomery – were sacked in a chaotic campaign for the Easter Road outfit, now searching for their fifth new head coach in two-and-a-half years.

Gray, on his FOURTH stint as caretaker manager, hasn’t been given any indication on the timeline of appointing a new gaffer. But the fan favourite, who had his name chanted by travelling supporters at Almondvale, believes he’s ready to take on the gig on a more permanent basis.

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And, with one eye on those Viaplay Cup group games kicking off in mid-July, Gray said it was important for the board to act quickly, saying: ““I think for the football club, the League Cup starts straight away, so you need to be as quick as you can, making sure you come on day one of pre-season with a clear idea of what needs to be done. Because Hibs need to be competing for the opportunity of winning trophies - and that competition starts very early.

“My full focus has been just on a difficult period that we were in and was just to get to the end of the season.  I’m sure moving forward we’ll find out exactly what is happening.”

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Gray saw the loss of a sloppy equaliser cost his team a victory on the final day, the former defender admitting:  “I thought it was probably played like both teams didn’t want to lose, more than anything. I thought, initially, we were just lashing at things, instead of taking touches. So I thought our quality improved as the game went on. But I think it was missing when it came to doing enough to go and win the game, to be honest.”