Hibernian officially confirmed David Gray as Nick Montgomery's replacement this week, and now it appears the new Easter Road head coach has been looking to his neighbours for his number two.

As reported by The Scottish Sun, Gray approached current Hearts B team manager Liam Fox about crossing the Edinburgh divide, however the former Dundee United boss is said to have turned him down.

During his playing days, 40-year-old Fox came through the youth ranks at Tynecastle, before moving on to Inverness, Livingston, Raith Rovers and finally returning to Hearts at the beginning of the 2015/16 campaign.

After hanging up his boots, Fox managed Cowdenbeath between 2016 and 2017, before taking over at Tannadice between 2022 and 2023.

When Barry Robson was appointed full-time at Aberdeen, Fox then moved to Pittodrie as his number two – and then after taking charge of the Hearts B team, Fox led the second-string side to clinch the Lowland League title last season.

Gray, on the other hand, enters Easter Road as Hibs' seventh permanent manager in just five years. His goal helped the Edinburgh side secure their first Scottish Cup in 114 years in 2016.

READ MORE: Gray gets Hibs head coach chance after ‘four auditions’

After his appointment as manager this week, he said: "It is a real privilege for me to become the head coach of this great football club.

“Everyone knows how much Hibs means to me. It is a massive club with a phenomenal fanbase, that I know very well, so to be given this opportunity is a true honour.

"From being here as a player and a coach for over ten years, I know what a successful Hibs team looks like and I am determined to succeed and take our club forward."