Gray on derby excitement, catching Motherwell & Mulligan fitness
Hibernian head coach David Gray has been talking to the media before Sunday's Edinburgh derby against Hearts at Easter Road. Here are the best bits from his news conference: Gray says performances are immaterial at this stage of the season, stressing "it's all about winning". He adds: "The players are aware of that.
The fans will certainly be going into it with real excitement and rightly so for what's at stake. " With all top-six clubs having something to play for he expects many "twists and turns" in the final five games. Gray acknowledges Hibs fans would "obviously prefer us to win this game and not see Hearts win the league".
He adds: "But at the same time, what we need to do is focus on catching Motherwell. We're trying to get European football. This is the exciting thing.
" A derby victory can provide the Hibs with the "belief and confidence" to "really kick" in the pursuit of fourth-place Motherwell. Gray insists form form "goes out the window" in these derby games and "it doesn't matter if you're top or bottom of the league". He expects an exciting 90 minutes and thinks the team who settles best will come out on top.
"Obviously that's what we're aiming to try and do," he says. "We want to get on the front foot, use home advantage, get the crowd right behind us and try and really take the game to Hearts. " Team news: Munashe Garananga is struggling with a hamstring problem but Josh Mulligan is back in training, although likely to require another week before he is ready to play.