Gray: No Better Game To Be Involved In Than A Derby

Head Coach David Gray says every player understands how important the Edinburgh Derby is ahead of Hibernian’s clash with Hearts this weekend.

Local bragging rights will be on the line for the fourth time this season when we welcome Derek McInnes’ side to Easter Road on Sunday tea-time, and Gray’s side will be hoping to replicate the result of the last time these two sides met in Leith, with the Hibees winning 3-2.

While the Head Coach was disappointed to see our six-match unbeaten run end at the hands of Aberdeen last time out, he feels that there is no better game than a fixture against Hearts for his side to bounce back.

He says that feeling is shared by the players, who are well aware of the derby’s significance. 

“As you'd imagine, the players are looking forward to this one, as is everybody involved. It’s a brilliant game to come back to,” Gray said to Hibs TV.

“It's been a couple of weeks since our game at Aberdeen, which was really disappointing.

“In the end, we have managed to get a bounce game in as well, so the players keep ticking over. I think being this close to the end of the season, it is important you try and get minutes into players to make sure they're fresh and ready to go.

“Everyone's in a good place that is going to be available for the game. That's the challenge between now and the end of the season. There are five cup finals to go, and none is bigger than the one that comes this weekend.

“The magnitude of the game is there for everyone. We know that. It's a brilliant game to look forward to, a brilliant game to come back to.

“If you think about the games we've played already, including both games at Tynecastle, we've lost each by very, very fine margins, but within that, very little within the games.

“The home game [in December], we take confidence from, because I do think for large spells, up to 75 minutes before they score, it could have been three going on more. We do take confidence from that, but that doesn't mean this game is going to be any easier. But we have to take the confidence.

“Our home form is really strong, and we need to make sure we hit the levels of performance. If we can do that, we give ourselves a real chance of winning the game, which is the most important thing.

“There's no better game to be involved in, but for what we need to go and achieve this season, it certainly sets us up nicely for the last five games if we can go and do that.”

We face a Hearts side that are one point clear of Rangers at the top of the William Hill Premiership, and Gray is under no illusions about the task.

But the Head Coach says the fans can have a huge impact at Easter Road and has urged the supporters to play a major part in what could be a pivotal 90 minutes in our bid for European football.

He added: “As I've said quite a lot at this stage of the season, nothing is handed out after 33 games, but at the same time, they (Hearts) have been very consistent. They find themselves at the top of the league for a reason, so it will be a difficult game. I've been involved in these games enough to know their form, and it all depends on who turns up on the day.

“The atmosphere will be outstanding, it always is.

“The derbies are the best games to look forward to. It's the one time during the season where I always question myself about why I retired and miss the fact that I used to play, but I think it is so good to be involved in.

“It's brilliant for everybody if you come out with the right result, but coming to this Football Club, these are the games you want to be involved in, and there's no bigger game when there's a lot riding on it for what we need to go and achieve.

“Added to that is the noise because of where Hearts are at this stage of the season.

“It is all about us and making sure we finish this season as strong as we can, and there's no better way to kick it off than going and getting three points against your rivals.”