David Gray sees Hibs answer biggest question as Kieron Bowie opens the toolbox but one thing needs managed
David Gray praised his Hibs stars for shrugging off their European hangover and giving their fans an opening day Premiership win.
The capital side could easily have felt sorry for themselves after they were knocked out of the Europa League in the last minutes of extra time to Midtjylland.
Gray watched his players pick themselves up off the canvas to take three points thanks to a Kieron Bowie double at Dundee.
It gives them the perfect shot in the arm ahead of their trip to Serbia to take on Partizan Belgrade in their Europa Conference League clash.
Gray said: 'I'm delighted because like you just mentioned there, the emotional side to it as well.
'Everything that the players put in on Thursday night, everybody would be looking at today's game and wondering would there be a hangover? How will players react?
'First time they've learnt Thursday, Sunday. So I think all I can say is the players reacted in the best possible way.
'A real professional performance, started the game really well and I thought controlled the game from start to finish which is a real pleasing thing.
'The biggest thing is when the mentality has been asked, the questions asked about it, it was definitely there and the character of the players was definitely there to see today which is positive.'
Bowie played his first full 90 minutes in two seasons. Gray is refusing to get carried away but believes his striker has all the tools to be a big success at Easter Road.
Gray stated: 'I think that's the reason why he was brought to the football club, because of the qualities he's got.
'You've seen that, I've mentioned a lot about being suited to Scottish football as well.
'The physicality, he really enjoys that side to the game and he was always one that was going to benefit from a strong pre-season.
'We're getting that just now.
'One thing you've just said there about 90 minutes, so that's something we internally need to manage.
'We can't be putting everything in the one, pushing them too much.
'We need to manage that as much as we can as well.
'But that's why you've got strength and depth in the squad and competition for places. But right now he's benefiting from having a really good off-season.
'The confidence levels will be high, the Scottish recognition as well which is fantastic for him on a personal note.
'But he's working hard every day, he's getting fitter, he's getting stronger and really benefiting from a strong pre-season which is great.'
Hibs got off to a winning start after waiting for five games for three points last season.
He added: 'It was a big part of my motivation today.
'I heard a lot of people saying last season, imagine we had just a poor start, not a very poor start last season.
'So the mindset of the players is, here's the first opportunity to try and put that right.'
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