Head coach David Gray spoke to the media after Hibs' 0-0 draw with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership. Here's everything he had to say...

David, what's your take on the game?

"I think a clean sheet and a point away from home is never a bad thing, but with the situation we find ourselves in, we know we need more than that. I thought it was a bit flat, especially in the first half, very flat from our point of view in the first half. That's the message to the players at half time, when the atmosphere is quiet and there's not much happening, it's about us to try and impose ourselves on them. I think they shaded the first half. I think Joe makes a big save to keep us in the game at nil-nil at half-time, to give us a foothold in it. Then I thought the reaction in the second half was much better.

"The things I talked about, about being more on the front foot, more aggressive, imposing ourselves on them and playing with a bit more energy, definitely came out. I thought we probably dominated the second half, but there was a real lack of quality in the final third, that last bit, the cutting edge, whether it be the cross, the decision to cross, or the execution of the finish at the end. It just wasn't there tonight and I think that's the frustrating side of it for me. But again, in terms of the point gained away from home, a clean sheet is a pleasing side to it."

How important is that clean sheet, not just for Joe, but for the defenders?

"It's very important, because we have come under criticism defensively and understandably so for the situation we found ourselves in and where we found ourselves in the league, that's pretty clear. So Joe can take confidence from that, as an individual, for his big save at the time.

"As a back four, you pride yourself on clean sheets. As an ex-defender, that's all I used to pride myself on, as much as you can, which is your job is to keep the quality net as much as you can. But even boys for the front, working hard, defensively I thought we were okay and that was reflected in the fact we kept a clean sheet. But we just needed to have a lot more quality going forward and a bit more belief and desire to really go on and win the game."

You stood by Joe, do you feel justified in that?

“Yes, 100 per cent. I think he's made a big save at a big time. He's come under criticism, as has the team. I think, unfortunately, when you're a goalkeeper, if you make a mistake you are punished. As defenders, you get slightly more margin for error, but it's run through the whole team and I think we've always stuck together. The group stayed really close together and I think during times like this, when it has been difficult, my belief is still there because of how close the group is and how hard we are working to try and rectify it. But from that point of view, he made a big save tonight and it was really important for him."

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Just to touch on that lack of quality in the final third, did you just wish at times some of your players were a bit braver on the ball, especially down the channels? 

"I think it was just the quality in the final third, the decision-making. I don't know if it's a case of being brave. I think it might have just been the decision. It might have been just composure at times as well. It was one of those nights where I felt like everything was more of an effort than it should have been.

"I think the belief side to it comes from a wee bit of a lack of confidence, a situation we find ourselves in, but we know we need to be better in those moments. The first half probably disappointed me more just because I thought there was a lack of belief. The second half was a lot more like us, we created a lot more chances, but as I say, it was just that last bit. Whether it be the pass, whether it be just the execution at the end, which is the most important bit, the final bit, the last action you do is always the most important one."

How is Dwight Gayle?

"He picked up his hamstring tightening up in the derby, with such a quick turnaround. We're just assessing how that is and how that reacts, but he picked up a bit of a tight hamstring during the game. Hopefully it's not too bad, but we'll assess that and see how he goes."