Scott Allan said after the League Cup defeat that he felt Gray wold turn things round and now he’s on the brink of clinching third
Scott Allan has seen quiet-achiever David Gray take Hibs from a Kelty calamity to the brink of a Europe.
And the former Easter Road star is backing the inspirational gaffer to maintain the club’s upward surge through an imminent battle on the continent.
Gray’s magical turnaround of fortunes in Leith saw him on the shortlist for PFA Manager of the Year. Falkirk boss John McGlynn may have topped that vote, but the Hibs boss has his own cherished prizes within sight.
Three points clear in third spot with just three Premiership games to go, Allan’s old club are set to stamp their passports in a remarkable transformation.
Last July, Allan was playing for Kelty Hearts when they humbled Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup. Such misery was maintained through a painful opening period in the term where Gray’s men slumped to the top-flight basement and he looked doomed.
However, it’s all change. Gray’s belief and work has boosted the side onto one defeat in 19 Premiership games and eight-straight wins at Easter Road. Allan believed his old team-mate would salvage the situation, but even he is stunned just how well it’s going and sees no reason for the ascent to flatten.
He said: “Well, I think the interview I did after that game, I was generally quite positive about Hibs and what I could see in terms of the template for what David Gray was wanting to do. Maybe just personnel would change within that.
“Something that’s worked for Hibs under Neil Lennon and Jack Ross as well, going back to the three at the back. That, for some reason, just seems to work with Hibs and having the two up front, especially at home. Obviously, it’s been well documented how integral that last-minute equaliser from Rocky Bashiri was against Aberdeen. That’s just the wee things, the wee sliding doors moments in the season that can be the catalyst to go on .
“Would I have envisaged them going on and having that long a run without losing a game? No. But I’m absolutely delighted for David because I feel he’s the right man. I think how he handled himself, first of all, as a manager and as a person, under huge, huge pressure. Even the pressure of being ‘Sir’ David Gray to the Hibs fans comes with added pressure for a guy like David. I think he deserves all the things that come his way.”
Gray’s demeanour in tough times was admirable. He refused to hang his players out to dry and they have spectacularly repaid the backing. Allan continued: “Listen, a manager can come out and slaughter you, but ultimately players know when they’re not performing well.
“I think if you go into the Hibs changing room at that time, they would have had conversations as players and they would have been able to admit that. But when you have a manager who then goes out and he has to face the music, I go back to what I said, how he handled himself in the moments.
“That then transfers onto the players. The players realise he’s properly got our backs and he’s taking all the hits while we’re sitting in the background getting away with some of it. So I think that’s a huge part, but that’s just Dave’s personality. He’s not overly vocal, but it’s what he says at the right times which will obviously resonate with that Hibs team.”
Gray’s tactical work has been astute and individuals such as Martin Boyle have prospered.
Allan added: “When I watched Martin over the last few years, he spent most of the time running back to his own corner flag, doubling up on guys. So it’s nice to see him obviously get on the end of passes. The thing for me was getting Martin in a position where you can use his attributes to your benefit. Ultimately, you still need to put the ball in the net and I feel that formation change not just defensively but offensively suited Hibs massively.”
Gray needs to make squad alterations in the summer and, with Europe beckoning next term, changes will have to be shrewd. The additional strain of games and travel can affect, but Allan said: “I think there’s always an expectation. It helps obviously how the club have been progressing off the pitch.
“It looks like they’ve got that solidity under David and I think there’s no doubt there will be outgoings come summer, but I think they’ll be looking at their recruitment and looking to push on. Boys come to the end of contracts, obviously keeping a hold of players who have had good seasons then trying the next year to go and do that again.
“That comes from what David implements come pre-season. That could also look different if they finish in third spot and have European competition to play in.
“That could also have a different effect on that and that’s how maybe we’ve seen with Hearts at times why they can’t maybe do the same the following season. So there’s a lot of things that obviously go into the following season trying to maintain that sort of thing. But I feel that Hibs are on an upward trajectory and David is a massive part of that.”
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