Hibs boss Gray reveals biggest source of frustration in dramatic late Motherwell loss amid Euro injury update
Trio of attacking threats battling to be fit for UEFA Conference League clash after SPFL loss
Hibs were guilty of damaging “naivety” in their dramatic loss to Motherwell on the opening weekend of SPFL action, according to Easter Road boss David Gray. But he’s determined to drag his team off the canvas in time for Thursday night’s return to European action – and is hoping to have some key creative players fit for the visit of UEFA Conference League opponents KF Shkendija.
Hibs battled back from a goal down to go into the final ten minutes of this afternoon’s clash looking by far the more likely side, battering away at the Motherwell goal – and forcing two goal-line clearances from the Steelmen. But the home side were hit by a blistering counter-attack five minutes from time.
Hibs had series of chances to win
Gray cut a frustrated figure as, speaking after the game, he said: “Especially when it gets back to 1-1, we had enough opportunities to win the game, I thought we were in the ascendancy, I thought we created a lot of chances. But there's two things within that.
“One, you need to be clinical when you get to that stage. And second of all, to sit here with zero points off the back of that second half performance and the way the game went, it was really tough to take.
“The most frustrating thing for me is probably the manner in which the goal we conceded. I think that's real naivety, right across the board.
“And that's not just aimed at any individual player. People give the ball away, that happens all the time. In a really poor area, I know that.
“But there was a lot of things that could be done after that to stop the game, to make sure that they have to beat us rather than us beating ourselves. And I felt that's what happened.
“So from a position of being on top, feeling like we should be the team with three points, we're now sitting here with none and I think that's extremely tough to take, as I've just said.”
UEFA Conference League midweek clash ahead
Turning his attention to the third qualifying round tie at home to North Macedonian opposition who made it all the way to the last 32 play-offs of the Conference League last season, Gray said he was already thinking about rallying a team who had secured progress with a thumping home win over FC Malisheva last midweek, insisting: “That's my job. My job is to make sure I pick the players up because they put a lot into that.
“That wasn't an effort thing, that wasn't a lack of trying or quality at times in terms of how dangerous we looked at times. If you look at the last two games at home, Thursday night and tonight, I don't know exactly what the shot count will be, but it'll be about 40 probably.
“Which is a lot of shots, a lot of big opportunities, clear cut chances, so we do look dangerous. And added to that we will get players back - and that will make us a bit more dangerous as well from a creativity point of view.
“But the only stat and thing that matters is putting the ball in the back of the net and winning games of football, so I know that. A lot of positives to take out of it, but certainly the overriding negative is the goal we conceded.
“But we need to pick the players up quickly because clearly we've got the European first leg on Thursday night where we need the players to be back at it again. I'm sure they will be.”
Injury news on key men
Jamie McGrath, Callum Wright and Nicky Cadden have all been missing for Hibs with a variety of injuries. The prospect of one or more returning for Thursday’s clash with proven European competitors is obviously an exciting possibility for home fans.
“Clearly they're not going to come in and play 90 minutes, definitely not,” said Gray, when pressed on their availability. “But we've got a few days now between now and Thursday, obviously.
“They'll have a couple of clearing sessions to make sure they're OK for that. We can't take any risks either. That's the one thing we can't be doing, is pushing them too quickly and breaking down again. So we'll be guided by the medical department.
“But the three boys are pushing every day to be involved, as you would expect. They want to be involved in these big occasions, which is a real positive thing as well.
“We'll give them every chance to get back and get them as fit as we can, as quick as we can.”
Miguel Chaiwa looked to be cramping up as he limped out of the game with just under 20 minutes remaining, while club captain Joe Newell had already pulled out during the warm-up.
On Chaiwa, Gray said: “He obviously had a big input on Thursday night as well. Obviously Josh Mulligan came off earlier in the game on Thursday night, so he was always one we were monitoring because Miguel put a lot in on Thursday night to be able to go again.
“So I'm hoping it's more fatigue man than anything else. Martin Boyle was the same, a wee bit fatigued.
“We're going to need the full squad because of what we've got coming up. Added to that, as I've just said, hopefully get a couple of bodies back on that attacking sense with Nicky, Jamie and Callum not too far away, which will certainly add to that.
“And we're going to need everyone because of the amount of games. Very quickly, the start of the season, how important the start is.
“You've got your European campaign. Domestically, you need to make sure you the league well. But the Premier Sports Cup comes around very quickly as well.
“So the very start, first six weeks of the season are massive. We know that and it's certainly not started the way we wanted it - or deserved to, potentially, with the way the game went today. But we’re certainly not going to feel sorry for ourselves. We need to keep moving forward.
“Joe, he reported a bit of tightness in his Achilles yesterday. But I didn't think it'd be an issue, to be honest.
“And then he was just in the warm-up, felt like it wasn't going away and probably got a little bit worse. I just know that he felt like he wasn't fully able to be on the bench, called upon.”