Gray Addresses Elding Concerns, European Ambitions, and ‘Cup Final’ Mindset

Hibernian head coach David Gray addressed the media ahead of his team’s second leg in the Conference League play-off against Gent, outlining several important updates and his team’s readiness.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Owen Elding missed “a bit of training” over the past week, and a few other minor injuries arose from the first-leg goalless draw that had initially gone unnoticed.

• Gray intends to give Elding “every chance” to participate at Easter Road on Thursday, although the striker’s availability remains uncertain.

• The Hibs boss believes his players have “earned the right” to approach the second leg with determination, adopting a “cup final mentality and attitude” for the match.

• Gray has encouraged Hibernian to take full advantage of this “brilliant opportunity” to progress in the Conference League, which would mark the first time a Hibs team advances from European qualifiers.

• He remarked, “I’m pretty sure this will be one of the most memorable nights in the club’s history if we can go and achieve group stage football.”

• Gray emphasized that his team remains focused, stating: “It certainly won’t be one where we think because we’ve had a positive result away, that means you’ve got to tap in at home. Absolutely not.”

• Expecting a “more open” match than the first leg, Gray acknowledged the high stakes for both teams involved.

• The head coach noted that Hibs have been “really pushing towards” league-phase football for several years and expressed that the owner, Ian Gordon, is eager to see his team competing in Europe.

Hibernian head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media before his side’s second leg of the Conference League play-off against Gent.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Owen Elding missed “a bit of training” in the past week and there are a few other niggles from the first-leg goalless draw that they didn’t see at the time.

• Gray will give Elding “every chance” to feature at Easter Road on Thursday but the striker remains a doubt.

• The Hibs boss says his players have “earned the right” to have a real go in the second leg and they take a “cup final mentality and attitude” into the game.

• Gray has urged Hibs to seize their “brilliant opportunity” to advance to the Conference League, which would make them the first Hibs side to progress from European qualifiers.

• He adds: “I’m pretty sure this will be one of the most memorable nights in the club’s history if we can go and achieve group stage football.”

• Gray stresses his side don’t believe the hard work is already done: “It certainly won’t be one where we think because we’ve had a positive result away, that means you’ve got to tap in at home. Absolutely not.”

• The head coach expects a “more open” game than the first leg, owing to the stakes involved for both sides.

• Gray says Hibs have been “really pushing towards” league-phase football for a couple of years, adding: “I know the owner [Ian Gordon] is desperate to try and see his team playing in Europe.”