Hibs respond emphatically to 'pressure' as rare starter gets praise and injury update emerges for Rangers

After a run of three defeats and four red cards, Hibs travelled to the Falkirk Stadium with the threat of dropping to sixth place if they suffered defeat. However, the visitors put in an impressive display, netting three goals in the first 40 minutes via Josh Campbell twice and Jordan Obita. They are now five points clear of Falkirk in fifth place with two games remaining and kept the heat on Motherwell in fourth.

Gray - who made six changes to his starting XI - admitted that his players had endured a rough spell after defeats by Aberdeen, Hearts and Celtic and hailed them for sticking together.

"We were clinical at the right times, and it was a really professional performance,” said Gray. "I'm really pleased for the group, because they've been through difficult times in the last couple of weeks, frustrating times, but during that period you really need to stick together. The players rose to the occasion today, and they fully deserve the result for what they've been putting in.

"I thought they were brilliant, especially that first-half performance in terms of what we asked the players to do, the game plan, coming to a real difficult place, I don't enjoy the surface myself, even watching games on it, I think it's really difficult - but we definitely played the percentages really well, scored three really good goals and then the second half was a real professional performance.

"There was a lot of pressure on the players today because of Falkirk, and the fact the last three games have moved them closer to us, and closed that gap. So it was a big performance at the right time for the players and I think we responded in exactly the right way.”

Josh Campbell’s Hibs impact hailed

One of Gray’s six changes was a start for Campbell - his first since December 30 against Aberdeen. He repaid his manager with the opening goals with well-timed headers and the head coach lauded the 26-year-old for staying patient.

“Josh has been slightly frustrated in terms of game-time,” continued Gray. "I've got a lot of faith in him, as he knows, but I'm delighted for him on a personal level. This football club means the world to him, it's all he's ever known, he's been at the club right through the academy.

"That's not an accident today, he's done that throughout his career, arriving in the box. He's very good in the air, but even just the way we played really showcased Josh's talent, which is running beyond, the threat he carries, the energy levels he has, and he's aggressive.

"I'm really pleased for Josh on a personal level because he's had to be patient, he's had to work hard, but he can really enjoy this moment today."

Gray also confirmed that central defender Rocky Bushiri missed out due to injury but hopes the Congolese will return for Wednesday’s trip to Rangers. "Rocky Bushiri picked up a minor hamstring issue during the week,” added Gray. “Nothing significant, but definitely kept him out for today. It was just too much of a risk.

“If it was the last game of the season, today might have looked a wee bit different, but we're certainly not in that position where we can be gambling with the three games to go, and three games in a week as well.

"We've obviously given him every single chance, we're not going to take an unnecessary risk, but it's all about recovery for the ones that played today, and we'll see where we go, get the players in the best frame of mind for Wednesday night.”