Paul Hanlon senses Hibs can satisfy fan demand against Hearts at Hampden as Easter Road 'pressure' assessed
The Hibs legend has been speaking on the club’s date with Hearts at Hampden and former teammate David Gray.
Hibs legend Paul Hanlon senses head coach David Gray can satisfy fan demands with a seismic win over Hearts at Hampden.
The Edinburgh rivals will face off in a Premier Sports Cup semi-final next month for a chance to play Rangers or Aberdeen in Edinburgh’s showpiece. Hanlon has watched on over his fellow 2016 Scottish Cup-winning icon’s head coach tenure that has included two Conference League play-off berths and a third place Premiership finish.
Speaking following the conclusion of the Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup First Round Draw which took place at Barclays Hampden on Sunday evening, boyhood Hibee Hanlon knows what fans demand, and cup success is part of that. It’s why some may feel progress on that front is the next step for Gray’s Hibs.
What do Hibs fans want from semi-final clash vs Hearts?
“Obviously they have booked place at Hampden for a chance to get to a national final,” Hanlon said. “Then on top of that, it’s an Edinburgh derby, I'm sure they're all excited. Fans will be getting buzzing for that one. Hibs carry a big fanbase that go through in their numbers, the buses and everything, travelling from Edinburgh, so you can feel the occasion.
“We probably went through a stage at Hibs where we were getting to Hampden fairly regularly, varying degrees of success, but it's exciting and it's where the club demands. The league form's been really good.
“Fans demand more and that'll be probably the outlook now from the fans. We've qualified for Europe twice in a row, can we now do better in the cups? So far, so good, on that front."
Pressure had started to build around Hibs prior to defeating Ross County 3-0 on Saturday in their quarter-final tie. They had lost successive matches against Hearts and St Johnstone in the league with play-off hurt in Europe against Gent still lingering. Hanlon, who made 564 appearances for his boyhood team, is well aware of the pressure that was surrounding his ex-teammate. There’s nobody better though equipped to deal with the pressure than Gray.
Paul Hanlon on Hibs
“Fans are generally all the same,” said the current Raith Rovers defender. “They want their team to do as best as they possibly can, and when you get to a certain level, they'll always push for more. That's what you want really. It's a demanding club to be at. I've experienced that for a number of years, and had highs and extreme lows as well along the way, so you've got to deal with that pressure.
“To strip it back, there's no better person to understand that pressure, and know that pressure, than David Gray at the minute. He knows exactly what he's dealing with and what he's facing week to week.
“He knows the consequences of bad results, how the club and the fan base will react, so I think he's doing a great job, and I think he's in a good position really to kick on.
“David’s very focused, driven, and really concentrated on his job, and he knows what he needs to do. I speak to him now and then but I understand how busy he is. He's at a huge football club and tries to do the best he can. Focused and driven are the ones I'd say in terms of describing his characteristics, unfazed probably a little bit as well, in terms that he knows the pressure.
“That's one thing that he's not going to be pushed into, decisions, or be pressured in any certain way. He knows what the club requires and he knows the expectations. He'll do his very best to get there."
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