A decade after his debut at Easter Road, David Gray is poised to take a significant step in his Hibernian journey. With a chance at early silverware on the horizon, that’s certainly part of his plan.
Now the new Hibs boss, Gray has served as a caretaker manager four times and is finally in charge of HIS team for the first time on home soil. He vividly remembers his first time running out of the Easter Road tunnel as a player for the club he supported, not just because it ended in a 2-1 victory over Livingston, highlighted by a remarkable winning goal from keeper Mark Oxley.
When asked if he could recall details of that day, Gray responded, “I do. Mark Oxley scored – I was delighted he scored because it was a really slow game, on a really hot day. I remember it well, actually. And I remember him scoring. Fond memories.”
“I’ve said many times that it’s a fantastic place to play, and the players will enjoy it. But we need to make sure we do everything right. If we do that, the fans will be right behind us, I’m sure,” Gray said.
When asked if he could imagine being the boss ten years after that unique first exposure to playing at Easter Road, Gray—who helped Hibs win promotion from the Championship and famously scored a goal at Hampden in May 2016—admitted, “Probably not! I actually remember my very first game after I came back up; it was away to Berwick Rangers, my first 45 minutes. I’d only had two or three days of training and then it was straight into the game. I think I scored with a tackle that day as well.
“So if I think back to that moment and where I am now, it’s a relatively short space of time. But I also know how lucky I am to have worked for such a fantastic club. I know what it means; it means a lot to me, and I’m very humbled to be in this position.
“When you play for a club like Hibs, the demands are on you home and away, but the expectation, especially at home from the fans, is there. That’s why the new players have come to this club: to challenge themselves at a new level, and to play with a big club where there are expectations and pressure every week.”
Gray has already set his sights on winning the Premier Sports Cup as a goal for his team. After a strong start at the weekend with a 5-0 win away to Elgin City, Hibs will be looking to build momentum when Queen’s Park visit for Group C business tonight.