Gray: Three Points Most Important Thing

Hibernian Head Coach David Gray admitted that picking up three points was all that mattered after the Hibees overcame Dundee United in a dramatic five-goal thriller at Easter Road.

After taking the lead in the first half through Martin Boyle, we were pegged back in the second half and found ourselves behind after goals from Ross Graham and Max Watters turned the game on its head. 

But we rallied in the closing stages with Elie Youan finding an equaliser in the last minute of normal time - before Ante Sutǒ rounded off a dream debut by heading home the winner in stoppage time.

Reflecting on the 3-2 victory, Gray admitted he had mixed emotions at the full-time whistle.

"Firstly, I am delighted to end up winning the game", he told Hibs TV.

"I think it shows the character of the boys to go right to the very end and it’s a massive three points - especially off the back of Sunday and the effort they went into that. We've got such a new group of players making their debut, and I know we’re only going to get better.

"What I would say is obviously a slightly mixed emotion because our level of performance from the first half to second half. I thought we weren’t as fluent in the second half, with a lot of individual errors, which is something we’ll obviously address. Then it very much became a game of set pieces.

"At 1–0 we still had the best chance of the game, with Boyle's header. If we go 2–0, it probably makes the game a little bit more comfortable towards the end. But it was very much an exciting game for the neutral.

"At the same time, from our point of view, it’s three points. We will play better than that, and we have played better this season and not won. 

"What it does is show the character. It was very much a game of set pieces. To find ourselves in the game and then 2–1 down because of two set pieces is the disappointing bit and the frustration.

"But the character to go and win the game is the most important thing - winning games of football is the most important thing."

Gray praised the contribution of the new January signings - including match winner - Ante Sutǒ - and urged his side to build on that 'winning feeling'.

"From the exertions on Sunday, it was always going to be a really difficult game. They always are always against Dundee United.

"That feeling of scoring in the last minute - Ante coming on as a substitute, making his debut, a dream debut for him coming on and scoring the winning goal - there are a lot of positives to take from that and getting that winning feeling.

"Winning games of football is difficult. There’s no better way than to win in the last minute, and it sets it up nicely for next weekend.

"The biggest positive to take from it is that it’s such a new group — players only having been in the building for a short period of time.

"We need to be better than we were at times today, and we will get better as the group gels and spends more time together.

"It certainly puts us in a really good place off the back of a good result. We’ve had one defeat in eight in the league, so we’re definitely going in the right direction and the most important thing tonight is the three points.

"We will get better from this moment moving forward. We’ve now got six days before the derby to get a lot of time on the grass, and I’m looking forward to that."