David Gray, the head coach of Hibernian, is convinced that the key to a prosperous season lies in the squad’s ability to adapt to the heightened "expectation and demand" that comes with playing for a club of Easter Road's stature. As the new Scottish Premiership campaign kicks off with a clash against Motherwell on Sunday, broadcast live on Sky Sports, Gray is urging his players to rise to the challenge set by the club’s supporters and the broader football community.
Last season, Hibs secured a fifth‑place finish, which earned them consecutive qualifications for European competition. That achievement has set a benchmark, and the former captain of the side is determined to maintain, if not improve, that standard. "Ideally, you want to start the season on the front foot and get off to a very good start," Gray told Sky Sports News, emphasizing the importance of momentum from the very first match.
He acknowledges that the pressure inherent in management never truly disappears. "The pressure as a manager at any club never goes away. I think that's something that will always be there," he said, noting that the constant scrutiny is part of the job.
What he believes the team learned from last season’s run was the value of unity. "The biggest thing we took from that run, I'd say, was sticking together," Gray explained. "That's very much what I can feel and see already within the training ground.
A real collective bunch that are all pulling in the same direction, which is the first thing you need." The coach highlighted the necessity for every player to buy into this collective mindset. "You need the players to be buying into that, which I'm certainly getting as well," he added. The expectation and demand, he noted, are ever‑present and must be embraced quickly by any newcomers.
"The expectation and demand is always there and that comes with that, so new players coming in have to adjust to that very quickly," he said. Gray outlined the sources of this pressure: the club itself, its fan base, and the players. "There is a level of expectation that is set by the football club, the fans and ourselves," he explained.
The ambition is clear – to replicate European qualification and to aim for back‑to‑back success. "We want to be successful again, like Europe, back‑to‑back.
That's what this club needs to be and that's what we'll be striving to do again this season," he affirmed. He also hinted that the targets may be even loftier this year, perhaps requiring a fourth‑place finish or a domestic trophy.
"It might be more difficult because it might require a fourth place finish or you need to try and win a trophy, which is something else that we always set every season as well," Gray said. While acknowledging that his tenure has not yet produced the cup runs he would like, he sees the upcoming season as an opportunity to change that narrative.
"Under my tenure here, it's something we've not been as successful as I'd like to be in terms of cup runs, but again, an opportunity," he remarked. When asked about the squad’s capability, Gray expressed confidence. "The demand and the expectation and where we think we can set ourselves is when we put it all together with the squad we've got, we know we're a very capable side that can put a real strong run together and compete at the top end of the league," he said.
The manager has already made five signings during the summer window, while retaining the core group that performed well last term. Speaking about the physical preparation, Gray was pleased with the progress made early in the transfer window.
"I'm really happy with where we are from a physical point of view, from the work we've done early in the window," he said. He stressed the importance of staying proactive throughout the window, constantly scouting for improvements. "When you look at one thing I've been very grateful for is the fact the support we've had very early. Ideally, every manager would want that.
Day one, all your players in as early as you can. Not always possible, as everybody knows, but the fact we've been able to do that," he explained.
Gray also admitted that certain areas of the squad might be slightly over‑staffed, acknowledging that not every player will feature in every match, though they should be eager to contribute. "In certain areas we are a wee bit bloated as well, so I fully expect not every player wants to play every minute of every game, but they certainly should want to," he said.
He anticipates some movement in those positions as the season progresses. Overall, Gray’s philosophy is one of continuous assessment and improvement.
"But we still always, right from the top all the way down, we look at the squad to see if something can be done that we believe makes us better and to take the club forward," he concluded. With a clear vision, a committed squad, and a supportive fan base, Hibernian aims to meet the high expectations set for them and to make a strong impression in the Scottish Premiership this campaign.