Hibs: Every word from David Gray pre-match press conference

Is there much difference to head coach David Gray, compared to first-team coach David Gray?

“I’m really enjoying it. But the big thing is that the lads seem to be enjoying it. The new staff are feeling that as well. It’s a really positive place to work at the moment, especially with excitement building ahead of the first league game of the season.

“All in all, I’m really happy with where we are. It’s been a successful start to the season."

What's the mood in the camp like compared to this time last year?

“It's different, yeah. That comes with fresh faces, fresh voices all the time. New players have come in as well, and naturally that will happen over the course of the window; players will leave and others will come in. The pre-season trip to the Netherlands was excellent, and there is positivity around the place."

Are there more new faces coming in?

“We are working very hard on transfers. That’s something I’ve mentioned a lot now. We know we’re light in forward areas. We’re working very hard to do something.

“But we are focusing on bringing in the right people. We’re not just signing anyone for the sake of signing people. We’re going through the full process, making sure we bring the right type in. We’re really happy with the business we’ve done so far, the type of people they are, the leaders we’ve recruited, the way they train every day. They’ve really added to the group and created that feel-good factor around the building.

“So we are very conscious of bringing in the right people. But it’s something we’re working very hard to do."

Any details on discussions?

“At the minute, there are a lot of conversations being had. Hopefully,  that can progress in days, rather than weeks, because we’re working hard to do it."

How vital is it to get a winning start?

“That’s the challenge that faces us. It moves over to the league campaign now. The first challenge was to progress in the cup. I know how challenging that can be, so I’m delighted that we managed to do that. The full focus is now on the league.

“We all know, and I mentioned it again to the players this week, the expectations on this football club, the expectations of the fans when you come and play for a club like this. We need to relish that. Hopefully, we start with a positive result at the weekend."

What do you make of St Mirren? 

“They’ve done really well, last season especially, to earn the right to go and compete in Europe. That’s something that we had as a club last year – and definitely something we’re aiming to repeat next season.”

This is your first summer transfer window as a manager - how have you found it?

"It’s just the world of football, it has been a slow window for a number of reasons. We have a structure and process in place that is working extremely hard to bring players in.

"When you look around the world of football at the minute, especially with the Euros happening and running on, English clubs are keeping their younger players in because of having to fulfil fixtures and that is probably slowing it down a bit for people fishing in that market.

"It’s a matter of being patient and proactive and going after the targets we can get. Being ready to pounce when we can but the work is ongoing all the time. We are aware that we need to try and do this as quickly as we can but getting the right ones."

What have you learned about yourself.?

"You always reflect. Even as a player, you are constantly reflecting. It is not always going to be plain sailing, you will lose games of football but you want to guard against it but when adversity comes along, I’ve probably learned from that, try to lean on other experienced managers I’ve worked with before. You don’t get too high when it’s going well and too low during adversity. That is something I will learn from.  At this moment I’m really happy with where things are."

How many players, ideally, would you want to bring in?

"I don’t want to put an actual number on it. We are light in forward areas so it is something we are working hard to rectify and I’m sure there will be movement with regard to ins and out. It is just natural with the window being open. I would expect it to pick up, especially later in the window. It’s about doing the work as early as you can and being ready to act if something comes up."

You'v been linked with a return for Mykola Kukharevych... 

"He is a Swansea player and while he is still a Swansea player I don’t want to talk about players at other clubs."

You've also been linked with Junior Hoilett, he doesn't have a club at the moment... 

"Junior is someone who did really well last season, I was impressed by him at Aberdeen. I thought he was a big part of their success, especially later in the season. He has had a fantastic career and will continue to do so. I think he picked up a wee injury away with Canada but played at a very high level and is certainly a player who has had a very good career."

Could that career continue at Hibs?

"That's a question for somebody else probably, but at this point in time, we are working hard on various targets."

How's the squad looking ahead of Sunday?

"Élie Youan is still out, Harry McKirdy won’t be available for this weekend either, he’s had an illness, a chest infection. He is improving every single day but we should have a couple back, Chris Cadden, Warren O’Hora. We’re in a good place."

What's the situation with Élie looking like? 

"He picked up that knock in the Queen’s Park game, which was disappointing for him and us. Right now he is a Hibs player and fully focused on trying to get back fit and being an asset for Hibs."

How has life changed since you became head coach?

"You definitely don’t sleep as much, that’s for sure. At the same time, I’m really enjoying it. Even when you go home you are constantly thinking about things. It’s more a case of managing other people, conversations with staff, and players. 

"Planning your day becomes more difficult, but I’m enjoying being on the grass every day and the reaction I’m getting from the players. I will be judged on points and performances but if we can keep the mood high and add a few additions to the squad we’re looking forward to hopefully having a very good season."

How much enjoyment do you get from having the final say in things?

“I think it makes it easier when there are no hiding places. When it does go wrong, I know it’s on me. I’ve never shied away from that. In previous situations, I’ve had an opinion and a voice, which is important, but I’ve always supported the person ahead of me because that’s what a good assistant or first-team coach does.

“I get that all the time here with the backroom staff I’ve assembled. I get challenged every day, and I want to be challenged every day, always for the right reasons. We don’t always agree but when we decide what direction we’re going in, we all go the same way.

“And that’s something I’ve always done and that I believe is the right way of moving forward and I fully understand that I’m responsible for the result at the end of the day.”

Do you often seek advice from other managers?

“I speak to people regularly within football. I’ve been quite lucky, even over the past three years, having worked with four very good, and different, managers, and the coaching staff they have had with them. I’m still in contact with them all and still speak to them.

“And even some of the people I worked with throughout my career. 
“I’m constantly seeking advice and asking for benefits when I can lean on people. You’re never the finished article. 

“I’m very lucky to have that network around me and it’s certainly something I need to keep using.”

Does this week feel ‘different’ with league football coming around again?

“I’ve had that impression from the players a little bit, just because it’s a fresh, clean week. We’ve had a full week of training all geared up to facing one opponent. It’s been really good and the preparation has gone well.

“But during the Premier Sports Cup games it’s Saturday-Tuesday at times and it was a quick turnaround. You’re also trying to get minutes in players and get your message across and I think now we’ve had a good six-week period and I’m happy with where we are at the moment. Hopefully it all comes into place at the weekend.”

Is it a case of one in, one out in terms of recruitment? You inherited a big squad…

“It more depends on what comes. Regardless of whether players are starting, on the bench, in the squad, not quite making the squad, my job and my staff’s job is to make every single player better every day.

“You never know. A week is a long time in football. Circumstances change, people move, players get injured. There’s no real set-in-stone, ‘this is my squad’ or he’s not required - not at all.

“You need to manage that situation every day but I think that’s why the atmosphere at the training ground is so good, because we’re all pulling in the same direction at the moment.

“Everyone’s got an opportunity. We were managing minutes during the pre-season games and then during the Premier Sports games but we’re all ready to go for the new season.”

You faced St Mirren in the first game of last season too, what are you expecting?

“It’ll be difficult. They’re very organised, they play a specific way that’s been successful for them so we know what to expect.  They did fantastically well last season so we’re expecting a tough game there.

“Even though I’ve not managed that many games, I’ve actually already been there twice - it was my first game in two separate interim periods so I can definitely lean on those experiences. But we’re expecting a tough challenge but as always the full focus is on what we can do."