Gray On Livingston Threat & Early Team News

Hibernian Head Coach David Gray is looking forward to watching his side back in action this weekend after a positive couple of weeks on the training pitch. 

The Hibees host Livingston on Saturday 14 March – kick-off at 3pm at Easter Road Stadium. 

It is our first competitive game in the month of March, and Gray is eagerly looking forward to the occasion after beneficial few weeks at HTC on the training pitch.

“It’s been a positive couple of weeks,” Gray told Hibs TV.

“I think I said it after the game that the only benefit of not having a game last weekend was the opportunity to get a bit of freshness into the boys who needed a rest. 

“We also organised a bounce game to get minutes into players that needed it, and I think that’s going to be important between now and the end of the season.

“At this stage it’s not about how fit the players are – they’re all fit enough. It’s about match minutes and sharpness, so it was really beneficial to get minutes into the boys who needed them. Everybody came through that well and it puts us in a better place for the run towards the end of the season.”

The Hibs Head Coach explained that the squad is in a much healthier place, with only Josh Mulligan and Rudi Molotnikov unavailable for selection due to injury. 

“We’ve only got two that are definitely out. Josh Mulligan is still out and unfortunately Rudi Molotnikov missed the bounce game after rolling his ankle, which will keep him out for now.

“Hopefully, he should be back training next week, so it shouldn’t be a long spell for him. It’s frustrating because he could have done with some minutes as well.

“Everybody else got valuable game time (in the bounce game). Grant Hanley got 45 minutes, Jordan Obita got 45 minutes, and some players got much-needed 90 minutes as well. Everyone came through the game well.

“They’re all at different stages in terms of their training weeks, so we’ll just need to assess things ahead of tomorrow’s game and make sure we’re not taking risks with anyone who hasn’t had enough minutes in the bank. But overall, we’re heading in the right direction.”

The Hibees come into this one off the back of a positive run of form, which has included back-to-back wins over St Mirren and Celtic, before drawing 3-3 away at Dens Park last time out. 

Up next, we face a Livingston side who currently sit bottom of the league – however, they have improved in recent weeks, since former Hibee – Marvin Bartley took over as Head Coach.

Livingston have drawn their last three matches, sharing the points with Dundee (2-2), Rangers (2-2) and St Mirren (1-1) ahead of this one.

“They’ve had some positive results," Gray continued.

“Marv (Marvin Bartley) has been at the club a long time, so he’s not completely new to the players – he knows them well and understands how to get the best out of them, and I think we’ve seen that in recent weeks.

“We’re up against a team that’s fighting for their lives, and I think that’s going to be a key factor between now and the end of the season across the league.

“That’s why the league is so tight and why every game is going to be so important. I don’t think anyone is really in no-man’s land – everyone has something to play for, whether that’s the title, European places, or avoiding relegation. That makes it an exciting run-in.

“For us, the focus is on building on the three games we’re unbeaten in the league. The challenge now is to go and back that up with three points at home.

“Our home form has been solid, but that doesn’t make the game any easier. We still need to approach it the right way and play to our best level to give ourselves the best chance of winning.”