Hibernian head coach David Gray has played down criticism of his side after a stuttering start to the season and insists the only priority is reaching the Premier Sports Cup semi-final when Hibs travel to Ross County on Saturday.
- David Gray says criticism does not distract him amid a disappointing start to the season.
- Hibs must beat Ross County in Dingwall to reach the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden.
- Ross County remain a credible threat despite playing in league One, having kept a full-time squad and a settled core.
What’s confirmed
Hibs will qualify for the Premier Sports Cup last four if they beat league One side Ross County in Dingwall. Gray acknowledged recent scrutiny following consecutive Premiership defeats to Hearts and St Johnstone, and a missed opportunity to advance in European competition, but said he is not preoccupied by that criticism.
Gray’s response and mindset
Gray framed criticism as part of the manager’s job, saying managers are judged on results and that he does not allow external noise to derail the team’s focus. He noted that even if results had been better, he would still press himself to improve, and described the current environment as different from when he was backed by the board early in his managerial tenure.
Why the match matters
Reaching the semi-final would mark the first time Hibs have made the last four under Gray as head coach. The club’s last semi-final appearance in this competition came in November 2023, when Gray was a member of the coaching staff under Nick Montgomery.
Hampden was identified as a top objective at the start of the campaign, and Gray said the team must concentrate on winning the tie rather than dwelling on recent form.
Ross County challenge
Ross County are competing in League One this season and, according to Gray, have remained a full-time squad with much of their core still together after relegation from the Championship. County were reported as unbeaten in League One and, in the competition’s group stage, veteran striker Brian Graham scored — one of his nine goals that season came in a home draw with Dundee.
Gray warned that County’s continuity, infrastructure and confidence make them a genuine threat and suggested it would not be surprising to see them return to higher divisions given their setup.
Context and implications
Gray took charge of Hibernian two years ago. The club’s board supported him during a difficult spell early in his managerial career when results were poor; Gray said that period was “a different situation” because the club’s structure and sporting director Malky Mackay were then newly in place.
Saturday’s cup tie offers a clear, short-term target for Hibs amid league frustration. Progress to Hampden would provide momentum and a tangible achievement on the club’s stated objectives list; failure would increase scrutiny on a manager already facing questions over the season’s start.
What comes next
Hibs must win in Dingwall to reach the semi-final. If they do, they will secure their first semi-final under Gray’s tenure and continue their campaign in the Premier Sports Cup. If they lose, the early-season criticism and pressure on the manager are likely to persist.
Timeline of relevant events cited
- David Gray appointed head coach of Hibernian two years ago (tenure referenced in reporting).
- Hibernian’s most recent semi-final in this competition occurred in November 2023, when Gray was on the coaching staff.
- Hibs suffered consecutive Premiership defeats to Heart of Midlothian and St Johnstone (reported as recent results contributing to scrutiny).
- Hibs face Ross County in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final in Dingwall on Saturday; a win advances them to the semi-final at Hampden.
Reporting note
This article summarises and contextualises reporting from BBC Sport and associated outlets. Direct quotations and match status are attributed to those reports.