Head coach David Gray says he will continue to try and find solutions to Hibernian’s poor form “until someone was to say something different” after his side suffered a sixth consecutive home defeat in the Scottish Premiership.
Kilmarnock secured their first league win of the season thanks to George Stanger’s first-half goal at Easter Road and held on despite a late red card.
Advertisement
The boos that echoed round the stadium were in stark contrast to Saturday, when Hibs eased aside League 1 pacesetters Ross County 3-0 to set up a League Cup semi-final against city rivals Hearts.
But club legend Gray realises that the latest league defeat, their fourth in six games overall, will see pressure mount, with his team now sitting ninth.
“It’s clear to see, it’s not good enough in terms of the result,” the former Hibs right-back and Scottish Cup-winning captain told BBC Scotland.
“Nobody wants to hear me stand here and talk about the tactical side of the game at this moment in time. We have lost a game again at home.
Advertisement
“The only way it turns is by putting yourself out there, sticking together and believing in yourself and trusting your ability.
“One thing I will continue to do is work as hard as I can to turn this around. I’ve been through adversity before at this football club and I will continue until someone tells me otherwise. I believe in my group and believe in what we’re doing.
“Until someone was to say something different, I will continue to do everything to turn this around.”
Is Aberdeen visit a ‘must-win’?
For former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan, Saturday’s visit by Aberdeen is now “a must-win” for former team-mate Gray.
Advertisement
“This won’t go down well with the Hibs faithful,” he said on BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound. “It’s the manner they lost, the level of performance, the amount of duels they lost, how easily it was for Kilmarnock to play through them.
“It was genuinely incredible at times, while going the other way they hardly created anything of note. That will not be accepted by the Hibs fans and certainly not David Gray.”
When asked what is going wrong at Easter Road, former Scotland forward James McFadden said if he knew that, he would “phone David Gray and tell him”.
“They are not starting games well, they are having to make changes, not making an impact,” McFadden said on Sportscene.
Advertisement
“They couldn’t find the breakthrough against a Kilmarnock side who have been leaking goals, but that’s credit to Kilmarnock for the way they defended.
“Nobody can complain about Kilmarnock winning that game tonight. It is tough times ahead for Hibs.”
Have the fans turned against club legend?
Kieron: Kilmarnock could have won by three or four and it wouldn’t of flattered them. Hibs were so poor tonight. David Gray’s position is hanging by a thread.
Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.
Advertisement
Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.
Chris: Question the tactics. Thought for long time long ball is desperate and lacks ambition. Pressure indeed on David Gray.
Lee: If we end the game two points off bottom spot then it’s surely time up for the Hibs manager. It’s not a run and recovery from a bad position needed, it’s deliver and results from the get go the support demands for a club of our size.
Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as David Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.
Advertisement
Paul: Long balls to no-one as usual from Hibs and as usual our keeper is a weak link. Gray has to go even if we win as this is awful football. Bring in Neil Lennon or Steve Clarke asap before our season drifts to nothing as usual.
Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.
Brian: Worst backline in Scotland, midfielders trot about like headless chickens, feel sorry for strikers. Gray clueless. No plan. No tactics. Blah, blah, blah after game as usual but won’t resign. Board have to act.
SMcDhfc: David Gray has lost the team, it was obvious tonight. As an attacking force, we were shocking, lots of huffing and puffing but not one real effort on target. The players should be embarrassed after that display, but they will get the result they are after, Gray sacked.
Advertisement
Craig: I like Gray but believe it’s time he goes. He has one formation. It’s just not good enough. But, if he goes, Malky MacKay [director of football] should go too. His signings have been terrible.
Read the full article here