David Gray spoke to the media ahead of the Premier Sports Cup opener away at Elgin City. Here's everything the head coach had to say...

Ready to go for Elgin?

"We're really looking forward to it. The final preparations have went well, the games in pre-season we've got a lot out of. It's all been geared up towards this game which is the first competitive one of the season."

How important was the trip to Holland?

"It was really good for new players to come and get integrated into the squad. Not just that, the opportunity for myself and the staff to put how we want to play forward. I know a lot of the players here that have been with me for the last year or so will have an idea of what I'll be looking for. But to have a full week of just us working the way we want to work moving forward was great. The facilities were good. The weather wasn't brilliant, but that ended up being a good thing as we were able to get a lot done without worrying about the heat. The whole week together was really successful."

These group games come early, but does it benefit everyone to be playing competitive games?

"I think the opportunity to play competitive games is vital. I've been in this situation before. These aren't pre-season friendlies. We'll be going in as favourites as the Premiership team. It's absolutely an opportunity for this to really be a stepping stone towards a trophy. The objective for a club like Hibs every single season is to try and win things. This is the first game aiming towards that."

What do you expect from Elgin?

"We've watched them a few times, which is vital. We don't take any opposition lightly. It's a different test for the players. A different challenge. We'll be favourites but it's an opportunity for them to impose themselves on a club like Hibs. They've got a manager that likes to play expansive football, which is great. I expect them to have a go at us because it's almost a free hit for them. They want an upset in the cup and we need to guard against that."

Fans enjoy these long away days, do the players too?

"I think it's always good to play in different places and face different challenges. This is slightly further away, so we've got the challenge of going away and staying overnight. We'll do everything properly. We've been there a couple of times in cup competitions previously so I know what it's like up there. It's important we let the players know exactly what to expect. Hopefully the pitch will be in good condition and conducive to the way we want to play."

Was it an easy decision to make Joe Newell captain?

"It was easy from the point of view of how well Joe has done. I think I was the first person to give him the armband, in my first interim period. I actually had the likes of Lewis Stevenson and Darren McGregor available that day, but I gave it to Joe because I thought he was at that stage in his career where I could try and get that bit more leadership out of him. To kick him on to that next level. Ever since that, I think he's shown that level every day. The way he trains, he's really matured into that leadership role. Not only that, in the dressing room every single day the players really respect him. He has been that voice in the last couple of seasons. I think the challenge for him now is to become club captain. There's a big difference between that and leading the boys in the dressing room. The responsibility of being a club captain and doing everything you can to protect the club is huge. I'm convinced that will bring the best out of him. 

You wore that armband, what advice would you give him?

“He has to lead by example which he has done. He also has the benefit of me being here, Liam Craig was here as club captain when I first came so he has a lot of people round him who he can lean on. He needs to develop into the role himself and understand what it really looks like and take it forward every day. Sometimes he will have to sacrifice himself to make sure he does the right things by the group and the club. He has the challenge to deal with that and deliver on the pitch every day.”

How has he changed across the five years he's been at Hibs?

“Coming up initially he was still the same personality, a really good guy who loves his football and brilliant with new players coming in. At the time he probably… I wouldn’t say coasted along but was someone whose level of performances at the time was someone trying to break into the team and not someone who was driving it every day. That’s why when I took that first opportunity I saw he needed to lead and get more out of him. He did that and since then he has really stepped up and delivered. Hopefully this will take him onto the next level. The whole responsibility every day - even if he’s out injured or out of favour and not playing how important it is to be the best version of yourself every day.”

How much do the rest of the players look up to him?

“If you asked the new players coming in they will always say that Joe has been someone who has been very good with them straight away. He always makes an effort to sit with them. Things away from here too, charity work, in the community, he’s a really good role model for young players coming through as well. Young players need to understand what good looks like and how a professional should act. It’s important to us as a staff that we know we have someone driving our message every day because we are all in it together, if we are and we’re successful then hopefully the club can benefit.”

And obviously he's still a very good player, too?

“Yeah. That’s another reason why. He’s a very important player and it’s great that he’s extended his time here, which was very important to us. Results haven’t been where we needed them to be, in the last season especially, but on an individual basis he’s someone that’s always been available, always drove standards, and a fantastic footballer. He’s very comfortable on the ball and is very important to the way I want to play, and the way that Hibs players and fans expect the team to play.”

Are you close to making any more signings?

“That’s something we’re looking at all the time. We want to improve the squad as much as we can, as often as we can. The work is always ongoing. My full focus just now is on Elgin, and once we’re past that there will be more conversations. It’s something that naturally happens in the transfer window, the squad will evolve and there’ll be ins and outs. The objective is to strengthen the team as much as we can in places where we feel it needs it. I’m sure we’ll keep working towards that.”

How have the new boys settled in?

“Excellent, and not just their performances, which have been great. I like the fact – and this is credit to the group we have here – that over in Holland I would walk into a room and the three boys were always with different groups, they weren’t just sitting together all the time. It’s great that they’re mingling with everyone. I wouldn’t say there was people cliquing towards each other, not at all. That’s been really impressive. It’s the right characters that have come to the club and want to be part of something, all the conversations I’ve had with them since have been positive about enjoying the group, a good bunch of boys, and looking forward to getting going.”

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Was there any interest in bringing Simon Murray back to the club?

“Simon was a Ross County player before and now he’s a Dundee player, I don’t really want to talk about players that aren’t coming to this football club, or are contracted to this football club. But obviously I know Simon, he’s a good player at this level and I’m sure he’ll do well at Dundee.”

How much focus has there been on making the team harder to beat this season?

“When you look at last season we were conceding too many goals, nobody’s shying away from that. The focus in pre-season hasn’t just been defensive. We’ve made a couple of new signings that have shored that up a bit as well because of how we’ve played. But it’s definitely a big focus that we need to be harder to beat. With the quality we’ve got going forward, which we demonstrated a lot last season, if we can get it right at both ends of the pitch then it’s a recipe for more success."

Can you put a number on the amount of new signings you'd like to make?

“It’s more about what that is – the type of person, what they would add. Everyone coming to the football club needs to add value, because we have some really good footballers at the club. The squad we’ve got is one we’re working well with every day, and anyone that’s brought into it has to enhance that. It has to be the aim that everyone we bring to the football club adds value, and that’s more important than saying ‘I need five, I need six’. It’s all about the opportunity and how that presents itself.”

Any injuries this weekend?

“It’s pretty much a full squad. Harry McKirdy’s still a little bit tight so we’re going to be a wee bit more conservative over him. But it’s days rather than weeks, so it’s just about managing his minutes more than anything else. Everybody else should be OK.”