Gray Mixed Emotions After Dramatic Draw

Hibernian Head Coach David Gray had mixed emotions at full-time after the points were shared in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Dundee United at Easter Road.

The Hibees came from behind twice in the game, clawing back a two-goal deficit in the second half to earn a well-deserved point on Saturday evening.

Kieron Bowie’s clinical finish, a Jamie McGrath penalty and a first-half own goal were cancelled out by a Luca Stephenson brace and a Zac Sapsford’s strike for the visitors in a game that had no shortage of chances, drama and controversy.

Speaking after the match, David Gray shared his thoughts on the overall performance.

“Immediately, the reflection will be to take the positive that we didn’t lose the game, considering we were 3-1 down at one point. We showed good character to go right till the very end and get something from it.

“You’re always looking to take three points, particularly when you are at home – but we didn’t have that control within the game, so to get a point in the end is something we need to take and move on from.

“There are a lot of areas that we need to work on and the disappointment for me is how we played defensively. We were well below where we need to be defensively; it wasn’t any individuals but it was across the board – we had to rely on Jordan Smith a lot in the second half.

“The other side is that we did create a lot of chances, we had 27 shots and there were big moments within the game. Both keepers made some huge saves within it, but all in all, we need to be better.”

Gray praised his players' character – having come from behind twice in the game to get something out of it – but admits we need to be better in both boxes.

“We started okay within the game, I thought the players really fed off that atmosphere from the fans. But we lost the first goal, which was really poor from a defensive perspective. From there, to find ourselves 3-1 down – I can’t come out and say that we should’ve won – I am not naïve enough to think that. But what I would say is that we did create enough chances and big moments in the game to have a different outcome.

“There is a lot to work on, a lot to look at on Monday when the players come back in. First and foremost, we need to be better defensively – I have highlighted that to the players and they are accepting of that.

“We’re only four games into the season – it could be a big point at the end of the season – but it is early days. We can play miles better than that, and we didn’t lose the game from 3-1 down. So credit to players for going right to the very end and getting something out of the game.”