David Gray spoke to the media ahead of Hibs' Premier Sports Cup clash with Queen's Park at Easter Road on Tuesday night. Here's everything the head coach had to say...

First competitive fixture out of the way, do you feel like you’re into it now?

“Yes, everything was geared up to that first competitive game and I’m delighted with how it went but the focus very quickly changes and is now on Queen’s Park on Tuesday night. It’s an opportunity to get back to Easter Road; for some of the players it will be the first time they’ve been there. It’s a night we’re all looking forward to and the boys are ready for it.”

Do you remember your first game at Easter Road?

“I do. Mark Oxley scored - I was delighted he scored because it was a really slow game, on a really hot day. I remember it well, actually. And I remember him scoring. Fond memories. I’ve said many times that it’s a fantastic place to play, the players will enjoy it, but we need to make sure we do everything right and if we do that the fans will be right behind us, I’m sure.”

Could you imagine being where you are ten years on from that game?

“Probably not! I actually remember my very first game after I came back up, it was away to Berwick Rangers; my first 45 minutes.  I’d only had two or three days training and then it was straight into the game. I think I scored with a tackle that day as well.  So if I think back to that moment and where I am now, it’s a relatively short space of time but I also know how lucky I am to have worked for such a fantastic club. I know what it means, it means a lot to me and I’m very humbled to be in this position.”

How important is it that the new boys get comfortable playing at Easter Road?

“When you play for a club like Hibs the demands are on you home and away but the expectation especially at home from the fans is there. That’s why the new players have come to this club; to challenge themselves at a new level and to play with a big club where there are expectations and pressure every week.”

Are you happy with where the team is in terms of getting your points across?

“We’re getting there. The week in the Netherlands really helped because the players are with you the whole time and you have the opportunity to work with them every day. A lot of the players who I coached during the interim spells had seen me in a different way but I couldn’t change that much; it was always just two or three days on the training pitch, sometimes only one day before a game, so there’s only so much you can get into them. Now though there’s a new staff, a new way of working and I think even the players who were already here are getting an idea of exactly what we want and what we expect.  The Netherlands was really good for that. The new players came in and really integrated into the squad but we’re constantly moving forward and we need to keep working because there’s a lot still to do.”

All the players seem to have bought into what you’re doing…

“Yes, although good results and performances help with that. To go and win 5-0 in the first competitive game, the way the games went in pre-season, and the mood and the atmosphere in training and at the training ground every day have been really positive. That’s credit to the players for buying into it and the staff for the atmosphere we’re creating here, and piecing all that together to try to get the most positive outcome. I’m delighted with where everybody is but we need to keep pushing forward and keep improving as a group. The squad will change and with the window being open things will constantly develop and everything’s geared up to keep pushing forward.”

Has anyone surprised you?

“Probably not; I think the first conversation I had with the players on day one was just to say that we didn’t need introductions because I knew the players coming back. It wasn’t as if someone was going to raise their standards so much that they would then drop off after two to three weeks because you usually get that when a new manager comes in, a bit of a bounce. The one pleasing thing from my point of view is when the new coaches are coming in and seeing it with fresh eyes. So I’ve had the knowledge and experience of working with these guys for a while, some longer than others. But the new coaches are better placed to answer questions on whether they’ve been surprised. We talk about training collectively all the time. Even the young ones coming up to train with us have added to the squad. If they can keep doing that, they’ll get opportunities. It’s important that we bring the young ones through."

What’s the transfer situation looking like - more ins and outs on the cards?

“That will naturally happen. The squad still has to take shape, because there are still positions where we’re a little bit light. The full focus is obviously on Queen’s Park, for me, but obviously in the background we’re working to try to improve the squad. But it’s not about a certain number. It’s the type of people we can get to enhance the squad, to make us better. I’ve been pretty clear in my messaging on that. It’s about the type of people we can recruit – and we’ve demonstrated that with the players we’ve already brought into the building. We need to make sure we keep getting it right – because we’re not far away from where we need to be."

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Are you enjoying the added responsibility of recruitment as well as coaching?

“Yeah, but it’s not just that. It’s the everyday stuff. I’ve gone from being really hands-on with the training sessions, only really needing to worry about that, to being manager and dealing with all the stuff going on in the background. The current structure we have in place really helps that. With Malky Mackay coming in as sporting director and the structure beyond that, I feel the club is in a really good place, in terms of the knowledge and the experience we have around me. We’re slowly working out the best way to take it forward. It’s changing all the time. And I’m learning every day, because there are new challenges I’ve not experienced before – and I’m enjoying that side of it. We’re in a good place at the moment."

You’ve spoken about winning a trophy, Saturday was a good start in that respect… 

“I think momentum is the key word. I’ve been in both situations – had really successful group stages, but also been on the receiving end of not getting out of the group. It is vital, for the start of the season, as I’ve said many times. These are not pre-season friendlies. The expectation is on a club like Hibs to win because you are playing against lesser opposition, only in terms of the league they might be playing in. But we don’t use these games to get minutes into legs – the result matters. I think you’ve seen that with how we played against Elgin. That will be our focus for all the games. The Elgin game was the first step towards trying to win this trophy. That’s what a club like this demands. The players know that’s a realistic target. It’s achievable. I’ve been very lucky to have been able to win something at this club, so I know it’s achievable. It’s difficult. I know that. But everyone here has to believe they can do it.”