David Gray, the head coach of Hibernian, is convinced that the key to a productive campaign for the Easter Road side lies in adapting to the "expectation and demand" that comes with the club’s recent achievements. As Hibs kick off the new Scottish Premiership season with an opening match against Motherwell on Sunday – a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports – Gray has called on his squad to rise to the heightened standards set by the supporters and the club’s own ambitions. Last season, Hibernian finished fifth, a position that secured them a second consecutive berth in European competition. For the former captain turned manager, replicating that success is the baseline, not the pinnacle.
"Ideally you want to start the season on the front foot and get off to a very good start," he told Sky Sports News, underscoring his belief that momentum from the first few fixtures can set the tone for the whole campaign. Gray acknowledges that the pressure of 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 challenge is to channel that pressure into performance. He highlighted the cohesion the team displayed during the previous campaign as a vital lesson. "The biggest thing we took from that run last season was sticking together.
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," he explained. The manager emphasised that this collective spirit must be embraced by every player, including newcomers.
"You need the players to be buying into that, which I'm certainly getting as well. The expectation and demand is always there and that comes with that, so new players coming in have to adjust to that very quickly," Gray remarked. He pointed out that the standards are set not only by the club’s hierarchy but also by the fans and the players themselves.
"There is a level of expectation that is set by the football club, the fans and ourselves. 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.
Looking ahead, Gray admitted that the targets for the upcoming season may be even more ambitious than simply repeating a fifth‑place finish. "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," he said. He reflected on his tenure so far, acknowledging that cup runs have not lived up to his expectations.
"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 added, indicating that the squad will be motivated to improve in knockout competitions as well as the league. When asked about the squad’s capacity to compete at the top end of the table, Gray was confident. "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. This optimism is backed by the manager’s activity in the transfer market.
So far, Gray has overseen five summer signings while retaining the core group that helped the club achieve European qualification last term. On the physical preparation of the team, Gray expressed satisfaction.
"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 noted, highlighting the importance of fitness and conditioning in a demanding schedule. He also stressed the need for continual vigilance throughout the transfer window. "When the window's open you do always have to be looking, you have to be proactive all the time," he said, indicating that the club will continue to assess potential reinforcements.
Gray praised the early support the club received in assembling the squad. "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. He did, however, acknowledge that there are areas where the roster may be slightly over‑stocked.
"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. I'm expecting a bit of movement in certain areas there," he said, hinting at possible loan moves or squad rotations. Finally, Gray reiterated his holistic approach to squad management.
"We always, right from the top all the way down, 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 focus on meeting the heightened expectations of fans, the club hierarchy, and the players themselves, Hibernian aims to build on last season’s achievements and push for higher league placement and deeper cup runs.
The upcoming season will test whether the blend of continuity, strategic signings, and a collective mindset can translate into the success Gray envisions for the Edinburgh side.