Hibs hero Liam Fontaine reveals David Gray memento he takes everywhere

Daily Record

2 days ago

Gray was the matchwinner on Hibs' last trip to Denmark nine years ago and while that ultimately ended in agony, Fontaine insists his old mate will firmly believe his side can shock Midtjylland this time round.
Liam Fontaine still has a picture of David Gray 's goal from Hibs' last European trip to Denmark saved on his phone.
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He reckons it sums up everything his old Easter Road team mate and room mate stood for while wearing the captain's armband. Namely belief, desire and bravery.
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Gray's strike in a 1-0 Europa League qualifying win against Brondby in July 2016 came just two months after his famous Scottish Cup Final winner against Rangers which teed Neil Lennon's side up for that Europa League qualifier.
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It ultimately ended in a heartbreaking penalty shoot out defeat against the Christian Norgaard and Teemu Pukki inspired Danes.
But nine years on Gray is preparing to take Hibs back to the land of fairytales for a qualifier against Midtjylland in the same competition.
And, despite being underdogs again, Fontaine reckons Hibs can look forward to a happy ever after with his old defensive colleague at the helm. The 2016 Scottish Cup hero said: 'They've got to believe they can win. And with Dave that's something you always get - belief.
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'One of my favourite pictures is actually from that game against Brondby, celebrating the goal with Dave. I still keep it in my phone.
'It wasn't long after his winner in the Scottish Cup Final. I don't think he actually scored a goal until he went to Hibs!
'He was going through a phase of stepping up at the big moments. That was him, he was always driven to succeed.
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"We were room mates. We shared on that trip to face Brondby too. I don't think many people gave us a chance going over there 1-0 down from the first leg.
'We went over as underdogs, they were a well-known club with a good history and had players like Pukki and Norgaard. They probably believed we would be a walkover. But that was never the case.
'Our squad was more than capable of competing and we showed that in the second leg. We had a team of winners and a team of people with drive and real raw ability no more so than Dave.
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'We won the game 1-0 and it went to the lottery of penalties. In the end the result wasn't what we wanted. It was a disappointed dressing room.
'But I remember it being a really good occasion. The Hibs fans were brilliant. They travelled in their numbers and the atmosphere was incredible.
'I'm sure it'll be the same next Thursday.'
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Cocky Midtjylland boss Thomas Thomasberg has riled Hibees with his confident boasts ahead of the first leg in the MCH Arena on Thursday.
But Fontaine - who won the Scottish Cup and Championship title during his spell in Leith - reckons Gray won't be paying the slightest bit of attention to what his opposite number is saying.
He said: 'I knew what Dave would bring as a manager. I know the levels he demands. He's got a wide knowledge of football, with obviously his own personal career and his upbringing through football.
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'Honestly, Dave is Dave. What you see is what he is. He's very humble. He doesn't really want any plaudits.
'He always conducts himself in a professional manner, no matter what.
'He's not afraid to shy away from if he gets it wrong. He's not afraid to speak up when he needs to speak up.
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'That's exactly what he was as a player. Very honest, very determined. But no fear. He was up for every challenge.
'So I know Dave will send the team out over there and they'll have no fear. They'll just go for it. Hibs have got match winners in their team.
'They've got some high-quality players that are definitely going to create chances. If you've got that ability to score goals, then the challenge is going to be just matching the level of sharpness and fitness this early in the season.
'It's their first competitive game so maybe being out of rhythm with how they were towards the end of last season, you've got to try and just get into that rhythm really, really quickly and put the stamp on the game.
'It'll be interesting to watch and see.'