Gray: A Tough Day

Hibernian Head Coach David Gray was a frustrated figure at full time after the Hibees fell to a 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie. 

It was a tough afternoon from start to finish after we were reduced to 10-men inside the first 15 minutes, with Grant Hanley shown a red card after a collision with Olusanya in the penalty area. Kevin Nisbet converted from the spot before doubling Aberdeen’s lead in the second half.

Speaking to Hibs TV after the match Gray was extremely frustrated with the result, and the timing of the goals we conceded.

“It’s a really tough day, obviously compounded by a really tough start to the game, going down to 10 men as early as we did. 

“I have no complaints about the decision, to be honest – I think it’s very unfortunate how it happened, but with the letter of the law, we found ourselves down to 10 men and correctly so.

“I can’t fault the players’ effort. Going down to 10 men is difficult, especially when it’s compounded by conceding from the penalty. So you find yourself 1–0 down against Aberdeen who are at home and have that bit of momentum, but the players kept going.

“I thought they earned the right to get to the last 10–15 minutes and have a real go. Unfortunately, the second goal comes at a really difficult time because it stops that momentum. We knew we would have to make changes and try to chase the game, but while it was 1–0, we always felt we were still in it.

“It’s not as if Aberdeen were cutting us open constantly. They had moments, clearly, but the one thing that was lacking from us was that we didn’t make them defend enough. 

“It’s a big adjustment going down to 10 men and trying to keep attacking players high up the pitch to still create pressure.

“We just didn’t quite have that moment – maybe we were a bit safe rather than forcing them to defend more. That’s something we need to look at. The timing of the second goal probably ended any late push we could have had.”

Another key moment in the game was a potential red-card check for Aberdeen’s Emmanuel Gyamfi after he appeared to strike Hibs striker Owen Elding in the back of the head, just before half-time. The VAR intervened and sent the referee to the monitor – who deemed the incident only merited yellow.

Gray shared his thoughts on that decision and key moment in the game.

“You know me by now, I’m not one for blaming officials and I won’t be doing that. But my opinion is different to the referee’s on the decision.

“When you see it back, I think VAR felt it was a red card as well, which is why they asked him to go to the monitor. Unfortunately, he didn’t see it that way, but I thought it was.

“It was a massive moment in the game –  if we go into the second half 10 v 10 changes things. But I’m not going to stand here and say that’s why we lost. We have to look at ourselves and how we can be better in those situations.

“We maybe needed to be a bit braver, a bit quicker in getting the ball forward at times. I thought we had some control, but the quality, even 10 v 11 or 11 v 11, wasn’t quite where it needed to be. 

“The pitch and the weather didn’t help – the wind made it difficult – but that’s the same for both teams.”

Up next, the Hibees enter the split three points behind Motherwell with five games to play – starting with the Edinburgh Derby at Easter Road in a fortnight’s time.

“Now we go into the split, and there’s no better fixture for the players and supporters to look forward to than a derby to try and get a reaction. I’ve just reminded the players of that.

“We’ve got five games to go. We haven’t lost ground on Motherwell today because of other results, but we do have a game less, so it makes it more difficult.

“Do we feel it’s an opportunity missed? Yes, given how we came into the game. But we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We can still achieve what we set out to do.

“It’s going to be tough, it will take five big performances, but I believe in the group and I believe we’re good enough to do it.

“There’s no better game to respond with, and the players will be ready for it because of what it means to everyone involved. It’s a great opportunity to start the split in the right way.”