Hibernian head coach David Gray firmly believes adjusting to 'expectation and demand' will lead to a strong season for the Easter Road club. The team starts their new Scottish Premiership campaign against Motherwell on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, with Gray urging his players to step up to the guaranteed expectation from the fans.
What happened?
A fifth-place finish last season secured back-to-back European qualification, and the former Hibees captain wants more of the same. Gray has made five summer signings so far while holding on to his key players from last season.
Why it matters for Hibernian
The pressure as a manager at any club never goes away. I think that's something that will always be there. The biggest thing we took from that run [last season], I'd say, was sticking together. That's very much what I can feel and see already within the training ground. A real collective bunch that are all pulling in the same direction, which is the first thing you need.
What comes next?
The expectation and demand is always there and that comes with that, so new players coming in have to adjust to that very quickly. There is a level of expectation that is set by the football club, the fans and ourselves. We want to be successful again, like Europe, back-to-back. That's what this club needs to be and that's what we'll be striving to do again this season.
Expectations and Adjustments
Gray has made five summer signings so far while holding on to his key players from last season. I'm really happy with where we are from a physical point of view, from the work we've done early in the window. I think whilst the window's open you do always have to be looking, you have to be proactive all the time. When you look at one thing I've been very grateful for is the fact the support we've had very early.
League Standing
Hibernian finished 5th in the Premiership last season with 51 points from 33 games, and are currently 19 points behind leaders Heart Of Midlothian. The team has scored 51 goals and conceded 37 so far this season, with a goal difference of +14. They have lost their last two games, but are looking to bounce back against Motherwell on Sunday.
Injuries and Suspensions
The team is currently without Jamie McGrath, Nicky Cadden, and Rocky Bushiri due to injuries and suspensions. Gray is expecting a bit of movement in certain areas of the squad, but is happy with the overall physical condition of the team.
Conclusion
The team is looking to make a strong start to the new season, and Gray believes that adjusting to 'expectation and demand' will be key to their success. With a strong squad and a good pre-season, Hibernian are looking to make a push for the top of the table.
