
What was your favourite moment of Gray's memorable first campaign?
A year to the day since David Gray's appointment as Hibernian head coach, the mood around Easter Road is a far happier one.Having finished ninth the season before under Lee Johnson and then Nick Montgomery's management, expectations were low despite Gray's legendary status as a player.Gray's only previous managerial experience had been as caretaker and the Scottish Cup-winning legend had to come through a torrid start to the season before he could bask in the adulation of the fanbase once more.A 17-match unbeaten streak catapulted Gray's side up the table, a run which ultimately fuelled Hibs' third-place finish in the league.They beat city rivals Hearts at Tynecastle for the first time in five years and won the subsequent derby at home thanks to Jack Iredale's magnificent goal.A Josh Campbell double secured victory over Celtic at Easter Road in February, while goals from Dylan Levitt and Martin Boyle downed Rangers at Ibrox in April.What was your favourite moment of such a memorable campaign? Let us know.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
44 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Greg Taylor 'set' Celtic contract decision timeline as Kosugi transfer succesion plan tacked head on
The left-back is set to become a free agent this month amid interest from Greek side PAOK PAOK have reportedly handed Greg Taylor a deadline of the end of June to decide his future. The Celtic left-back is weighing up his options ahead of his current Parkhead deal expiring soon. Boss Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of the fact he would like to see Taylor remain at the club and battle with Kieran Tierney for a starting spot next season. However, PAOK have been strongly linked with the 27-year-old as they prepare for their Europa League campaign - and are said to have offered two year contract with the option of a third that will trump his current Celtic salary. PAOK technical director Christos Karipidis has confirmed the club are waiting on a response from the Scotland cap - and Greek outlet Sport Dog now claim a deadline has been set for a decision. Taylor is currently in Dubai with his family on holiday following the end of the double-winning season. But after Razvan Lucescu returned to Thessaloniki this week to begin his plans for the new campaign, it is claimed that Taylor and Jonjoe Kenny - who has already reportedly received a contract offer - will be told that they have until the first pre-season training camp of the year to decide their future, which is set for the end of the month. Djurgarden wonderkid Keita Kosugi has been tipped as a potential successor should Taylor depart. The 19-year-old left-back has opened up on his targets for the future away from the Swedish side. But Djurgården's sporting director Bosse Andersson has told potential suitors the club are in no rush to cash-in on their prize asset. He told Expressen: 'It depends a bit on what happens. Money is not a problem. "We have built incredible security and have a flow with players we've previously sold. But that's not what determines whether we win matches — it's about making long-term and wise decisions. 'Three players have stood out in the European Games (Conference League). Keita Kosugi has been prominent and was in the team of the tournament. "But it's impossible to know what will happen. We are not negotiating at the moment, and as long as they are Djurgards players, that is our plan — though we do have a backup.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside Russell Martin's first day as Rangers boss as manager gets V.I.P treatment with tour of Ibrox and Edmiston House
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSELL MARTIN jetted into Glasgow airport from Heathrow early on Thursday morning to become Rangers' new head coach. Rangers finally got their man to replace Philippe Clement permanently last week with the appointment of ex-Southampton boss and Scotland international, Russell Martin. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Russell Martin became Rangers' 20th permanent manager earlier this week Credit: PA 3 Martin was given a tour of Edmiston House on his first day 3 Martin walking down the tunnel at Ibrox There had been a plethora of names linked with the job since Clement's departure, and also after interim-boss Barry Ferguson left too. In the end, it came down to two; Russell Martin and Davide Ancelotti, and it was the former Gers defender that won the race. In a behind-the-scenes video posted by Rangers, Martin said: "It's been a long, long few weeks, it's been interesting, but it's been good. "It's brilliant to be back, I love the city and I love the people." Despite his short spell at the Ibrox club, Martin said: "I was desperate to come back at some point." He also admitted that the Rangers job was the job he was desperate for, despite interest from elsewhere. It looked at one point like he was set to join newly-relegated Leicester City, but that didn't amount to anything in the end. Martin arrived at Ibrox and immediately met CEO Patrick Stewart and new sporting director Kevin Thelwell. It was straight down to media duties for the new Ibrox boss, as he changed into his suit and was straight in front of the cameras. Reminiscing on his loan-spell at the club, he was surprised by one tweak in the dressing room, exclaiming: "There's cushions now, it was just benches when I was here!" Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager He teased the Ibrox faithful as he caught his first glance of Rangers' away strip, saying "That's the away kit? Very nice. "Kids are going to go mad for that one!" The new Gers boss met the media, and then went straight for a tour of Edmiston House, saying the club have "done brilliantly" with the club museum. Martin is set for a busy start to life as Rangers boss, navigating what is set to be a busy transfer window. He will have a tough task keeping midfield duo Mohamed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin with the Light Blues as interest in the pair grows. He is also under pressure to strengthen the squad as the Gers aim for some silverware. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Martin learned all about Ibrox folklore drinking whisky in the jacuzzi with kitman Jimmy Bell
GIVEN the chaos that surrounded Rangers back in January 2018, Russell Martin was always facing a tall order when he arrived at Ibrox on loan from Norwich City. In what will rank as one of the most ignominious campaigns in the club's history, the season had started with the European humiliation at the hands of Progres Niederkorn. Pedro Caixinha was sacked as manager just a couple of months further down the line, before Graeme Murty took charge on an interim basis. Looking to add some experience in central defence, it was Murty who signed Martin after the pair had worked together previously at Norwich. But it didn't go to plan. In particular, two hammerings by Celtic towards the end of the season ensured the atmosphere among the Rangers supporters, and also in the dressing room, turned toxic. The first was a 4-0 defeat at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, before Rangers then lost 5-0 at Celtic Park a fortnight later. Martin played the full 90 minutes in both matches. It was a bruising experience and one which Martin has spoken candidly about this week after being named as Rangers' new head coach. The season would end with Jimmy Nicholl taking charge of the team as Rangers and Hibs fought out a 5-5 draw at Easter Road on the final day, with the Ibrox club finishing third in the league. Yet, even despite the chaos and mutiny around him, Martin knew he was learning from one of the very best. In Jimmy Bell, there was no greater man from whom to learn the values and history of Rangers as a club. The legendary Ibrox kitman, who sadly passed away in 2022, became an invaluable source of knowledge and guidance to Martin, even in those darkest of times. So, too, did club masseur Davie 'Disco' Lavery. 'It was amazing to be around those guys,' said the new head coach, who has signed a three-year deal to take charge at Ibrox. 'Disco got engaged the other night, so I want to congratulate him. 'It would always just remind you about what the club meant, what brought it success, we'd talk about it a lot — Jimmy especially. 'For the first week or two, I didn't have a clue. Jimmy hardly said a word to me apart from to tell me off about kit and stuff. 'By the end, we got on really well. I was so sad when he passed. On my last day at the training ground, he brought in a bottle of whisky. I was in the jacuzzi and I was the last one there. 'He brought in two plastic cups, and I don't drink, but I felt obligated because it was Jimmy. He's a Rangers legend. I was already a bit dehydrated, I'd been in the jacuzzi too long and he poured me a couple. 'He told me so many stories and it was a beautiful moment. I'm really glad I shared that with him. I was very grateful because I felt that meant he had accepted me. 'It hadn't gone well on the pitch, but he understood that I'd tried my very best. I'd really tried with a few of the young lads as well and spent a lot of extra time with them to try to help them on their journeys. 'Jimmy was regaling me of stories for a long time, and I had to leave in a taxi. It probably explains my performance the day after. When you've an appreciation of how much it meant to him as a person, someone who'd worked in the club and seen it all. 'I think to feel that passionate about the club, and Disco as well, the way he talks about it, he got emotional talking about his football club and what it meant to him. 'Disco was sad at that point because it wasn't what it was, and he was desperate for it to be back to where it was. So, we had a lovely conversation the other day and he's delighted I'm coming back… or so he's told me! I said to Disco at the time when I was here as a player, I want to manage this club one day. He texted me last night saying: 'You've made it happen. Well done, I'm proud of you'. I'm really grateful for that. 'When I came here, I wanted to stay here as a player for as long as I could. And then when it became apparent that it wasn't going to happen, the aim was then to try to get back here as a coach or as a manager. And thankfully I've been able to do that.' Back in 2018, Martin was the victim of sectarian abuse during his time in Glasgow. In a clip which was circulated on social media, he was verbally abused by a Celtic fan in the middle of a shop. He understands the intensity of working in Glasgow is unlike any other environment, but insists the positive messages of support far outweigh the trolls. Martin is thick-skinned and has high tolerance levels in terms of stress, qualities which he feels came as a result of his upbringing with an abusive father. There were times when he could walk around Glasgow in relative anonymity, even when he was on Scotland duty. It's a luxury he will now longer have. 'The size of this club, I think, people don't understand until you come up here,' explained the 39-year-old. 'I thought I'd had an understanding and then being in it, it's even bigger than what you think and how much it means to people. 'Also, I played for Scotland for six or seven years prior to that and still had complete anonymity walking around Glasgow if I was up here for a game. 'Then, literally the day after I came here, I was walking through the West End and had none. 'I was like, 'Okay, that's changed. Now I need to go out with a hat on and my glasses if I want to go and read in the West End'. 'In football you have to accept it is part and parcel that sometimes you might get a bit of stick. I never felt under threat. I think I only got put out because someone filmed it. 'On the whole, the positive stuff — the conversations you have with people, even fans of opposition teams — far outweighs the negative stuff. The intensity of it all is not like anywhere else I've ever experienced, but I think that's part of the attraction.'