'It shows anything is possible' - Hibs go from relegation worries to Europe
On the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, one man walks on water. Metaphorically speaking of course, but perhaps he should give it a try sometime.Unofficially knighted by Hibernian supporters, 'Sir' David Gray's name was indelibly chiselled into Easter Road folklore on the 21 May 2016.Planting Liam Henderson's corner beyond Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham in second-half stoppage time ended 114 years of Scottish Cup misery for Edinburgh's green and white, ensuring legendary status in Leith forever more.Now manager, Gray is threatening to write a new chapter in his Hibs' story after spectacularly turning his and the club's season around as they finished third in the Premiership and sealed a return to Europe.On the 23 November 2024, that appeared fanciful and an awkward moment was creeping into view.Hibs were beaten 4-1 by Dundee at Dens Park, a result which left them without a win in eight and anchored to the bottom of the Premiership.The legend was in apparent trouble. A man the Hibs fans were desperate to succeed seemed to be on the precipice."I think it would be very naive of me to say I thought everything was going to be all right," Gray told BBC Scotland."You know that when you sign up for the job but I also know more than anybody else the expectation and demands of this football club."I was responsible for the results, that's my job. So, at that point our return in points for the amount of games we'd played wasn't good enough."I was consistent with my messaging to the players but also I was constantly speaking to the board about why I believed it was going to turn and the support was always there."Clearly, that was a real low point in the season and there were conversations after that game, of course there was. I think even my staff were feeling it. That bus journey back from Dundee was certainly a sore one."But we knew we had Aberdeen three days later and we had to get the players back in the right train of thought for that."What followed almost broke the Hibs' record books.They scored twice in stoppage time to salvage a 3-3 draw in that Aberdeen game and didn't really look back.One defeat in 20 league games including an unbeaten run of 17, reeling in a 23-point deficit to eventually leapfrog the Dons, going on to finish in the top three for just the third time this century.
From relegation candidates to the Europa League. It was some journey and one of the best runs by a team outside of the big two in Glasgow that we have seen."I've spoken to the players to remind them of the size of the achievement," Gray said."But also because of where we'd been and how the season started, the adversity at the start and when you think back to just before Christmas, we were still bottom of the league."So, to then turn it round and finish third shows an incredible run of form and it shows anything is possible and anything is achievable."The players deserve all the credit for that. That togetherness throughout the whole piece and the magnitude of the achievement."Due to Aberdeen's Scottish Cup win, Hibs will start in the second qualifying round of the Europa League with a place in the third qualifying round of the Conference League as a safety net."It's not something this club has done enough," he added."Finishing third, with the power of the big two in Scottish Football is almost like winning the league."European football is a genuine opportunity which will have its own challenges but it's brilliant, it's what everyone wants."You have to have a squad that is able to deal with that. But, it's brilliant for the football club."Next season, as the club celebrates its 150th year, could be another special one for Gray personally with the tantalising prospect of managing Hibs to the Scottish Cup on the 10th anniversary of his greatest moment."I'd certainly take it," he said."It would be a brilliant achievement. Top six, European football, but can you win a trophy?"I've been very fortunate to experience it. It is a genuine opportunity and ambition. It is a target and goal every single pre-season."We were very unfortunate to draw Celtic away in both cups so that was a bit of a blow."Winning cups are the extra special moments that this football club can provide."And 'Sir' David would know.Listen to David Gray's interview with Liam in full on Saturday's Sportsound, BBC Radio Scotland, from 14:00 BST.
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