Hibs v Livingston: ‘Decision to make’ over injured defender as boss Gray seeks ‘freshness’ after Rangers loss
Hibs v Livingston: ‘Decision to make’ over injured defender as boss Gray seeks ‘freshness’ after Rangers loss.
Easter Road’s manager already has one eye on the January transfer market. David Grey says he has a “decision” to make about one of his most trusted defenders ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Livingston. And the Hibs manager says he wants to add “a bit of freshness” for his team’s third game in a row.
The Easter Road club lost 1-0 at home to Rangers on Wednesday night, their first league defeat at home in over a full calendar year, and disrupted the momentum established by back-to-back wins against Livi at home and Aberdeen away.
Irish centre-half Warren O’Hora sustained a shoulder injury at Pittodrie and missed the midweek loss, with Rocky Bushiri filling in on the right side of the back three and wearing the captain’s armband for the night.
O’Hora trained today
Gray, providing an injury update today, said: “A few bumps and bruises, as you’d imagine, from the game. More contact injuries than anything else, just the type of game it was, so nothing major off the back of it.
We’ll just see how everybody comes through. Everybody trained today.
Warren O’Hora trained again today; there’s still a decision to be made on him with how he is.
And then the three who still aren’t quite right are Rudi Molotnikov, Joe Newell and But everybody else has trained this morning and came through it.”
When asked if he’d consider changing his team, Grey stated, “You’re always looking at the balance – three games in six days, what that looks like.” A little of freshness at times.
And, obviously, controlling the group and how the players feel. But, ultimately, it’s about getting a reaction and making sure we bounce back from a disappointing performance on Wednesday night to complete the week with three points.”
Recruitment work ‘never stops’ for Hibs
Meanwhile, Grey confirmed that Hibernian are actively looking for potential additions during the January transfer window. And prepared to bid on their own treasured properties.
“The way we work is always the same,” he said, adding, “It’ll start to be discussed now that the window is closing, but it’s always the same. “However, the effort never ceases.
The recruitment department is always working hard, and you’re always looking at the roster and everyone’s status – how will the players look at the conclusion of the season? Are they under contract, or not?
You must always keep an eye on the squad and ensure that the support is there, and I am confident it will continue to be. If we believe there is something that may help us improve, take us forward, and make the squad better, the club will undoubtedly support it.”
When asked if he would go back for players who slipped out of the club’s grasp during a busy summer, Grey replied: “There’s always a list of targets, and there are always circumstances that you’re looking at. The main thing I always emphasise is being proactive in looking at your own group as well.
“We need to keep in mind that we have a lot of good players here who want to play at the highest level.
That is the challenge of the recruitment department and the football club, to ensure that we have targets, individuals identified who might potentially come in if needed, but also valuing what we already have in the building.”
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