David Gray delivers Hibs injury boost ahead of Legia Warsaw as signing singled out after win at Livingston
David Gray delivers Hibs injury boost ahead of Legia Warsaw as signing singled out after win at Livingston.
The Hibs head coach has commented on his team’s Premier Sports Cup victory over Livingston.
David Grey says Jamie McGrath could be available for a crucial match against Legia Warsaw after Hibs secured their place in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Livingston.
The Easter Road head coach made six changes following a 4-3 aggregate Conference League win over Partizan Belgrade less than 72 hours earlier, as well as Thursday’s UEFA Conference League play-off first leg against Legia.
His rotating team performed admirably, with Thibault Klidje scoring the opener and Josh Mulligan firing home the winner late in the second half.
Hibs will face Rangers in the last eight stage next month, but the focus is now on a crucial first leg against Polish opposition at Easter Road.
Grey was asked after the game for an injury update on summer signing McGrath, who missed both the Partizan second leg and the match at Almondvale. He hopes to be called upon for playoff action.
David Gray delivers Hibs injury boost
Gray said: “We are very hopeful of that as well, he’s due to train on Monday. He will be in full training between now and Thursday and as long as he keeps progressing that would be a positive. Another positive would be Nicky Cadden again, the physios probably thought it was too long with the extra time the other night.
We got another 30 mins into him today so everyone should be in a good position come Thursday.”
Goal scorer Kildje was one particular standout that Gray talked up after impressive displays against the Lions. He said of the striker who signed from Luzern for a record fee and performance as a whole: “I’m delighted for Thibault getting his goal, when you bring a striker to a club you want them to get off the mark as quickly as they can.
“We have been patient with him, we don’t want to rush him because he’s getting used to the intensity of our training and the physical challenges. He is still settling but he was a constant threat, he brought energy and he took his goal well. He put in a very strong performance, there is a lot of improvement still to come and he will take a lot of confidence from that.
David Gray verdict on Hibs vs Legia Warsaw
“Everyone had a very high standard, which benefited the entire group. I thought it was a very professional performance; we had good control over the game and deserved to advance.
I’m happy for the players because we knew before the game that people would be wondering how we’d handle another game in Europe, extra time, coming to Livingston on an artificial pitch, and mental fatigue from the schedule we’ve been on.
“I thought it was a fantastic performance from that perspective. We were able to make changes while maintaining a high level of performance, so everyone did an excellent job today. We knew this schedule was coming and needed to be prepared for it, which is why you have a squad.
“That was a challenge for the players who had not been playing. In that regard, the squad performed admirably, and we got minutes into a number of players.
Everyone got through it okay; we have a few bumps and bruises, but I expect everyone to be prepared for Thursday. “We’ve been fairly consistent throughout the piece in terms of specific positions. Last year, we demonstrated the group’s strength.
Bringing on Josh Mulligan, Elie Youan, and Junior Hoilett gave us legs. It’s a really good headache for me.” With Rangers coming next month for a chance to play at Hampden, Grey said: “It’s a very tough draw; we knew who we’d face if we got through. To win the trophy, you must beat the best teams.
It will be a difficult test, but we will look forward to it when it comes. There’s a lot of football to be played, and as I’ve always said, coming to this football club is about trying to win something.”
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