New Hibs signing's chances of debut vs Dundee assessed as coefficient question tackled with honest truth
Midfielder joined on loan from Manchester United last week
Hibs boss David Gray confirmed new Manchester United loan signing Jacob Devaney will be ‘available for selection’ for this weekend’s trip to Dundee.
The manager has the task of lifting the spirits of his players after their agonising 3-2 aggregate defeat to Belgian side Gent in the Conference League play-off. In a week where Premiership rivals Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell also lost in Europe, Scotland’s UEFA coefficient points have been dealt a major blow, however Gray maintains his full focus is on matters at Easter Road.
As Hibs return to domestic action on Sunday at Dens Park, Devaney could be set for his debut. The 19-year old midfielder - who was on loan at St Mirren earlier this year - put pen to paper on a season-long loan move from the Red Devils last week. Having not been signed in time for the European squad, he wasn’t available for selection on Thursday night.
Gray confirms Devaney is ‘available’ for Dundee
After the defeat to Gent, when asked about Devaney’s status for the weekend, the manager responded: “He's available. He's trained all week and he's fresh, so he definitely will be available. We'll just have to see exactly where the group's at, but certainly, he’s trained all week and is available for selection.”
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international came through the academy ranks at Manchester United but is yet to register a first team appearance for them. He joined a relegation-threatened Buddies side last season, but managed to help them stay in the Premiership, starting in both legs of their play-off victory over Partick Thistle in May.
Along with the other competing Scottish clubs, Hibs were granted last weekend off by the SFA to help them focus on European matters. However, some tired legs towards the end of the Gent clash indicates Devaney may be thrust in on Sunday. At 2-1 up with six minutes to go, the Hibees had one foot in the Conference League, but were hit by two late sucker punches.
Gray on Scotland’s coefficient bashing
As Celtic blew a 4-0 aggregate lead against Austrian champions LASK Linz in the Champions League play-off, they’ll now drop down to the Europa League. Elsewhere Rangers lost their Conference League play-off to Czechia minnows Jablonec on penalties, while Motherwell were dealt a tough draw at the same stage against German giants Freiburg and were defeated 7-2 on aggregate.
The UEFA coefficient points blow to Scotland could lead to a harder qualification path for the Hibees in future competitions. While Gray is aware that this is the case, he maintains he can only control the destiny of his own squad. He added: “All I can concentrate on, certainly, isn't Scottish football, it's Hibernian Football Club. My focus is fully here every single day. It can't affect what's going on anywhere else.
“To be honest, all I'm interested in is what I'm doing at my football club and trying to improve us as a group and trying to move us forward as a group. I think you're right, it is becoming harder because of the coefficient, but as I've just said, tonight was extremely fine margins as to why we're not in the group stages of the cup in Europe. Unfortunately, I can't sit here and say anything other than that, but as I say, I'm not going to get drawn into speaking about any other clubs that wouldn't be right.”