David Gray, the head coach of Hibernian, is convinced that the key to a prosperous season for the Easter Road side lies in how the squad adapts to the "expectation and demand" that comes with their recent achievements. As Hibs kick off the new Scottish Premiership campaign against Motherwell this Sunday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, Gray has been vocal about the need for his players to rise to the standards set by the club’s supporters and the broader football community. Last season, Hibernian secured a fifth‑place finish, a result that earned them a second consecutive qualification for European competition. The former captain of the club is eager to maintain that momentum and push the team even further.
"Ideally, you want to start the season on the front foot and get off to a very good start," Gray told Sky Sports News, underscoring his belief that a strong opening run can set the tone for the months ahead. He acknowledged that pressure is an ever‑present element of football management, regardless of the club’s stature. "The pressure as a manager at any club never goes away. I think that's something that will always be there," he said.
For Gray, the most valuable lesson from the previous campaign was the unity the squad displayed during a demanding run of fixtures. "The biggest thing we took from that run, I'd say, was sticking together," he noted, adding that the camaraderie he observes on the training ground is already evident. "A real collective bunch that are all pulling in the same direction, which is the first thing you need." Gray emphasized that the expectation and demand placed on the team are not fleeting; they are built into the fabric of the club by the fans, the board, and the players themselves.
New arrivals, he warned, must acclimatise quickly to this environment. "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 explained. He stressed that the club’s ambition is to replicate, if not improve upon, the success of the previous season, which includes another foray into European competition.
"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 asserted. Looking ahead, Gray admitted that the targets for the upcoming season could be even more challenging. While a fourth‑place finish would guarantee a higher league standing, the ultimate prize might be 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," he said. He reflected on his tenure so far, noting that cup runs have not lived up to his aspirations, but he sees this as an opportunity for growth. "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." When asked about the squad’s capacity to compete at the top end of the league, 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 declared. In terms of personnel, Gray has already secured five signings during the summer window while retaining the core group that delivered last season’s achievements. He praised the physical condition of the team, attributing it to the early work done in the transfer period.
"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. Gray also highlighted the importance of staying proactive throughout the transfer 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 acknowledged that certain areas of the squad might be slightly over‑stocked, noting that while not every player will feature every minute, they should still 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," Gray explained.
He anticipates some movement in those positions to streamline the roster. Overall, Gray’s message is clear: the club will continue to evaluate the entire squad, from the starting eleven to the fringe players, to identify any adjustments that could enhance performance and propel Hibernian forward.
"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. The upcoming season promises to test the team’s ability to meet the high expectations set by themselves, their supporters, and the broader Scottish football community.