Latest news with #DavidGray
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
13 ex Hibs players poised for free agency as it stands including cup hero
After a difficult start in club icon David Gray's first stint as permanent head coach, the team rallied and embarked on a fantastic run which ended with them third in the league. They are now looking to the transfer market to strengthen their ranks ahead of Europa League qualifiers, which will begin in July before their defence of third spot kicks off. It won't just be Hibs on the prowl for moves though. There are former players of the club who could also be in search of fresh clubs this summer as free agents with terms ticking down. Looking at players who have contracts expiring in June - with some in talks over extensions - here are some of the ex Hibees who could become available as it stands should nothing be agreed with their current sides.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Hibs icon Gray not feeling the pressure
Hibernian manager David Gray insist he does not feel extra pressure in the job despite his iconic status at the led Hibs to just a third top-three finish this century last season, fighting back from a terrible start to the campaign before embarking on a stunning run of form that saw them go from bottom to achievement came nine years after Gray scored the Scottish Cup winner against Rangers when he captained Hibs to their first triumph in the competition in 114 years."A lot if people spoke about it when I was appointed," Gray told BBC Scotland."I think that was something that, when I applied for the job, it wasn't ever something I thought about personally."People always say that when you do this, you might get sacked so what does that do for you at the club and everything you've done for it?"But I genuinely felt at the time I applied for the job it was about, I believe I'm ready apply for the job officially. If I get it, brilliant, because I felt I could make a difference."Gray also opened up on the moment he realised his playing days at Easter Road were coming to an end while opening the pathway to management."Jack Ross gave me the opportunity when I had at least a year or so left on my playing contract," the 37-year-old added."Jack gave me the opportunity to be his first-team coach. Clearly I wasn't going to be playing many games if he's asking me to be on his coaching staff rather than one of his players."So I had the decision to make at that time and it was about what do I want to do?"I felt that if I wanted to play for another couple of years, I'd have to leave Hibs or the opportunity to go in [to coaching] at such a good level and at a club I know the ins and outs of it. I saw that as a brilliant opportunity to get into coaching."Read more from Gray here and listen to the interview in full on Saturday's Sportsound, BBC Radio Scotland, from 14:00 BST.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bushiri & Hoilett departure would leave 'massive hole' at Hibs
Hibs legend Joelle Murray says it would "leave a massive hole" if Rocky Bushiri and Junior Hoilett leave Easter Road this out-of-contract duo are in talks with the club over extending their stay."It would be a massive statement," said Murray on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast."Rocky has been spoken about a lot. He was the main player in that 3-3 draw with Aberdeen that was the turning point in the season. He scored the goal that turned the game on its head."From that point on he was absolutely magnificent. He was a top-class player for us."I'd imagine Rocky will have a lot of other clubs interested in him because he's a brilliant player but absolutely fantastic person."If we can retain Rocky, a key member of this season's success, along with Hoilett who David Gray can't speak highly enough of, it would be huge."Gray speaks about the culture and how Hoilett and Dwight Gayle in particular played a massive and significant part in that positive culture."If we can retain both, unbelievable. If we can retain at least one then I'd be happy, but if we see both leave, it'll leave a massive hole in that dressing room."
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'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 knighted by Hibernian supporters, 'Sir' David Gray's name was indelibly chiselled into Easter Road folklore on the 21 May 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 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 the 23 November 2024, that appeared fanciful and an awkward moment was creeping into 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 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 scored twice in stoppage time to salvage a 3-3 draw in that Aberdeen game and didn't really look 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 to David Gray's interview with Liam in full on Saturday's Sportsound, BBC Radio Scotland, from 14:00 BST.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Will Hibs favourite Porteous get Easter Road return? Transfer market guide
Sunderland dealings, Bushiri decision and a thousand other factors make summer window a moveable feast Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It shouldn't be as busy as last summer, when Hibs made just the even dozen signings in a frantic transfer window. The plan for this year, as David Gray prepares for his second season in management, is to add quality over quantity, with a focus on players capable of elevating the group and bringing something different to the squad. Expecting the coming weeks and months to be entirely orderly and ordered would, however, be a rookie error. In a business with so many moving parts, getting business done can feel like trying to nail jelly to a wall. With a nail made of frozen yoghurt and an ice cream hammer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The same rules apply to fans trying to follow every twist and turn in the market. A no at 10 am on a Friday can be a maybe by lunchtime, a yes later that evening … before it all falls apart in the wee small hours of the following morning. Only for the whole deal to be resurrected when some oligarch owner of a club you've never heard of is forced into a fire sale, creating a domino effect that involves Malky Mackay's phone ringing with a new and interesting possibility. All that said, of course, we can be certain on some elements of Hibernian's priorities in not one but two transfer windows (blame the FIFA Club World Cup for the unnecessary confusion) running from June 1 – 10 and then June 16 – September 1. You don't need eyes on the wall-mounted depth chart behind Gray's desk at East Mains to know where Hibs are in most need. Based on conversations and insight gained over hours spent in and around Hibernian Training Centre, what do you need to know, for starters? Let's take a look. The return of the king? There are reasons why Ryan Porteous returning to Hibs refuses to go away, as a story. Starting with the fact that so many Hibs fans desperately want it to happen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad No-one at the club has been willing to kill the idea stone dead. That's not just a case of Hibs being unwilling to pour cold water on their supporters' hopes and dreams. The guy is a Scotland international defender. Sure, he wasn't getting game time at Watford, which is why he went to Preston on loan in January. But he's definitely a quality footballer. Taking all emotion out of it, Hibs were interested in a loan deal in January, but Porteous ended up at Preston. If they had a chance of getting the 26-year-old, who has two years on his contract with Watford remaining following his £450,000 move from Easter Road in January of 2023, they'd definitely be on the keen side of eager. Sunderland star's Easter Road love affair ... it's complicated Getting Nectar Triantis back in a Hibs jersey is THE priority this summer, given the 22-year-old Australian's performances in central midfield in his second loan stint at Easter Road. But it's not straightforward. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The established logic holds that Sunderland winning promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs was good for Hibs. Ready to throw themselves into the world's richest league, the thinking goes, they won't risk a raw talent – so would be wise just to farm him out for more experience. That might be just a bit of wishful thinking, to be honest. He'll be in demand. And will have options. Hibs are exploring all options, including a permanent transfer. If it doesn't pan out, well, the midfield isn't exactly undermanned. But every manager would like just one more … especially if it's the right one. Adding firepower to international front pairing A front pairing of new Scotland call-up Kieron Bowie and Socceroos star Martin Boyle, when both are fully fit and firing, will take some beating. There's your dream partnership right there, without adding another body. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With Elie Youan's fitness still an issue, Dwight Gayle retiring and Mykola Kuharevich back with parent club Swansea, however, Hibs will definitely be chasing a striker. Along with every other team in the planet, right? There's also the matter of who plays in behind the front two, assuming no change of formation. Josh Campbell is first choice at the moment, with Junior Hoilett yet to commit. Maybe another playmaker, then. You know how easy those are to find … Keeping clean sheets and breaking strikers' hearts Jordan Smith established himself as the undisputed No. 1 almost from the moment when he replaced Josef Bursik between the sticks in November. He'll start as first choice keeper. But Bursik is returning to Belgium and Max Boruc has been released, leaving only young Freddie Owens – assuming he signs a new deal – to provide back-up to the experienced former Nottingham Forest goalie. Hibs need someone to provide competition. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Alex Paulsen, winner of not one but two individual A-League awards for Black Knight side Auckland FC, is the obvious answer. It's a deal that makes too much sense not to happen, in many ways. Look at us, applying common sense to football … Hold what you have in Bushiri and Hoilett All of the above is contingent on what happens in continued contract talks with Rocky Bushiri and Junior Hoilett. Sign both of those on for another season, at least, and the need to strengthen isn't quite so pressing. Hibs are building from a position of strength, having proven themselves the third best team in Scotland via the league table. But they'll have to replace some departing contributors – and will definitely need more bodies to cope with European competition, depending on how far they go. There are few certainties over how the window will end for gaffer Gray and sporting director Mackay. But at least we know they're starting with a plan. And an understanding that, in this business, the impossible can move to possible and then probable with just a couple of phone calls.
