Hibs v Hearts - Gray not 'naive' over derby dynamic as boss warns: 'Nothing's handed out after 33 games'
Easter Road gaffer delivers referee verdict as European ambition remains No. 1 focus
Hibs boss David Gray insists he’s not “naïve” enough to believe that Hearts chasing a historic Scottish Premiership title won’t be a factor in support sentiment as the teams meet for the final Edinburgh derby of the season at Easter Road on Sunday. But the gaffer, who declared himself “delighted” with the choice of match referee for such a huge fixture, is adamant that his players can’t afford to be distracted by outside noise as they chase their own European goal.
A victory for Derek McInnes’ team would see the Jambos stay top of the table regards of results elsewhere this weekend. But any dropped points would loosen their grip on the title with four games remaining – and spark enormous relief among Hibs fans fearing the very worst.
Gray, who grew up steeped in the rivalry, dropped a clear warning about anyone rushing to hand out prizes – from league flags to European places - after 33 games. And, while insisting that the home side will have just as much to play for as the visitors, he admitted that there was a different feel around the latest iteration of a fixture with little need for extra hype.
“Yeah, I'm not naive enough not to understand that Hibs supporters would obviously prefer us to win this game - and not see Hearts win the league,” said the former club captain, an Easter Road fixture as a player, coach and now manager since 2014.
“But at the same time, what we need to do is focus on catching Motherwell to finish fourth. And I think this is what is the exciting thing, is all six teams in the top six have got something to play for. And that's going to make it really exciting.
“There'll be a lot of twists, a lot of turns between now and the next five games because everybody plays each other. We just need to concentrate on ourselves. If we can get a positive result, it's what can really kick us on for the last four games after it.
“I'm not going to sit here and say it's all about performance because it's all about winning. And I think that is the most important thing at this stage of the season.
“Because of what both clubs are going for and trying to achieve this season, there's that added significance probably. But ultimately, the derbies are all about winning.
“The fact there's so much riding on it for both clubs at the moment as well, really sets it up for what will be, I'm sure, an exciting derby. It's great to be at home as well, live on the telly.
“It's the business end of the season. Nothing's handed out after 33 games. We've got five cup finals to go and no better way to kick it off than a game against your local rivals at home.”
‘I know what it means to fans’ - David Gray
Pressed on whether Hearts have more to lose than Hibs, given the stakes involved, Gray declared: “Absolutely not. I think every derby is all about bragging rights.
“I know what it means to supporters growing up in the city. For what we're trying to achieve, we're trying to get European football.
“Last weekend, we missed the opportunity, dropping points at Aberdeen, running out of games to catch Motherwell. So the full focus is on us.
“It's all about what we're doing and making sure we give ourselves the best possible chance to try and finish fourth. Because that's our objective now in the next game. It's just the Edinburgh derby up next to to continue, which is great.
“Yes, I understand why there's the noise around it. Because it's exciting. It's exciting for everybody involved.
“Because of the magnitude, because of Scottish football at the moment, in terms of the three-way title race at the minute, the race for European football, the race to avoid relegation at the bottom, it's really exciting.
“It's going to be really exciting right to the very end. So, from a neutral, brilliant end to the season.
“Internally, it's really about concentrating on what we are trying to achieved. There's nothing handed out after 33 games. After 38, you've played everyone. It's where you should be.”
Gray welcomed the appointment of Don Robertson as the man in the middle for a game of such significance, meanwhile, saying: “Referees are important in every game. Clearly, I'm delighted we've got an experienced referee, which we're always going to have.
“The magnitude of the game, someone who's dealt with them before and experienced them before. So there's absolutely no issue there at all on that front.”