Gray On Deserved Victory & Important Three Points

Hibernian Head Coach David Gray was delighted with the reaction he got from his players as the Hibees got back to winning ways with a routine 2-0 win over St Mirren at Easter Road. 

We scored goals at key times in the game, with Owen Elding scoring on his first start for the Club just before half-time with a terrific glancing header. 

Ante Suto came off the bench to add a second to put the game beyond all doubt and claim all three points.

Speaking to Hibs TV after the match, Gray explained how pleased he was with the result and certain aspects of the performance.

“I thought we really deserved it today. I’m delighted for the players to bounce back after the real disappointment and the feeling that comes with that in midweek.

“You're looking for that reaction and you say it all the time, but I’m pleased for the players and the fact they were able to go and deliver that - that’s the biggest positive from today. I thought we really deserved the win.

“It was great to get a clean sheet as well. We played some good stuff at times but I think there is still more to come from the group, which is another real positive moving forward.”

Gray highlighted the importance of scoring at key times in the game and was pleased with the attitude and application of his players from the first whistle to the last.

“We controlled the first half - the way we moved the ball, the chances we had - but it was really important for us to get that goal before half-time. If you’re going in at 0-0 with the level of performance and control we had, there would probably be quite a bit of disappointment. So to get the goal at the right time was massive. 

"Once it goes 2-0, it makes it a little bit easier towards the end. But the most important thing was the three points today, I am delighted with a clean sheet and the players will take a lot of confidence from that as well. It’s certainly something to build on.”

Gray reserved special praise for both goalscorers - Owen Elding and Ante Suto – who have hit the ground running since joining the Club.

"I need to be careful what I say here because he’s (Owen Elding) standing five yards away from me, so I need to make sure I’m nice and polite.

“But I am Delighted for Owen, he’s had to be patient - he’s not got on in the last couple of games and I spoke to him about that and the circumstances around those games.

“He was waiting for his opportunity and he certainly took it today - he was excellent. Everything we asked him to do in terms of the energy he brought to the game was great. He’ll come on from that experience and the benefit of the goal will give him confidence moving forward.

“As a whole, the subs then came on and impacted the game as well, Ante comes on and scores, which is great and overall it was a real team, collective performance.

“I know we’re going to get better in the weeks to come. The more time we spend together, the more senior players are due to come back pretty soon as well. So all in all, we're in a really good place moving forward.”