Gray: Draw A Fair Result

Hibernian Head Coach David Gray admitted a draw was a fair result as we were held to a goalless stalemate with Motherwell.

Chances were few and far between at Fir Park, with both sides defensively solid but lacking a cutting edge in the forward areas. 

The hosts had a goal ruled out through offside in the first half, whilst Jamie McGrath and Martin Boyle came the closest to breaking the deadlock for the Hibees in the second 45.

Speaking to Hibs TV after the match, Gray admitted that he felt a point apiece was a fair result on reflection.

“I think a draw is probably a fair result, over the piece. 

“If you think about the chances created, there weren’t really many. It was a real tactical game, where we needed to be good defensively, because we were up against a team whose home record is very strong. They do like to have a lot of the ball, and I thought they didn’t play through us; instead, they tried to go over the top quite a few times.

“In the first half, they probably shaded it without really creating big chances. We never really carried a threat in the first half as much as we’d like. 

“But, we were much better in the second half, we had a bit more control, a bit more patience, and then we had that little spell – that 20-minute period after half-time – where we created a few half-chances. I think we really needed to score in that period when we were on top.

“I can’t stand here and say that we deserved to win the game. I thought neither of the goalkeepers were having to make save after save, and there weren’t many big chances in the game at all.

“As I say, I thought we had that little period after half-time where we did have a few half-chances. Boyle was quite unlucky with our volley, which would have been some goal. I think a draw is a fair result when you look at the balance of play.”

Gray reserved special praise for Martin Boyle, who captained the Hibees at Fir Park – making his 400th appearance for the Club.

“I actually spoke about it before the game, and the fact that he was making his 400th game today is an incredible achievement. 

“He’s done so many good things for the Football Club, and it would have been great if his effort today had found the top corner.

“It’s an incredible achievement personally for him. He’s been a huge influence on this group for a long time now and his goal contribution to the Club, scoring over 100 goals.

“There are more appearances to come between now and the end of the season. He goes away on international duty now, as do a lot of the players. We hope they come back healthy, and the next few weeks give us an opportunity to work with the boys that are still here.”

With seven games remaining, we sit fifth in the league table – six points adrift of Motherwell.

“We came here to win the game today,” Gray continued.

“I’ve spoken a lot about the importance of trying to win the game today when you’re trying to catch Motherwell. We’ve not gained any ground on them today, but I can’t sit here and say we feel we deserve to do that.

“One thing I will say is that we’ve not lost any ground either. So, the positive side of that is that there are a lot of games to be played. Still seven games, a lot of big games, all cup finals, 21 points to play for and we’ve still got to play Motherwell again.

“That’s back-to-back clean sheets, so defensively excellent – but we didn’t really carry enough of a threat, which is something we definitely need to work on in the last couple of games and something to build on.”