Gray On Dwight Gayle Influence & Positive Two Weeks

Hibernian FC Head Coach David Gray is feeling positive ahead of our William Hill Premiership clash with St Johnstone on Saturday.

Over the international break, Gray’s side has had a productive couple of weeks on the training pitch, with Gray adding 34-year-old striker Dwight Gayle to his ranks after he penned a one-year deal earlier this week.

Speaking to Hibs TV, Gray told us how happy he was to add more depth to the attacking area of the pitch.

“We are delighted to bring someone in with that calibre and experience that comes with that. Dwight is someone we have been in talks with for a while now, and we’re delighted to get this one over the line.

“It gives us more options up-front and real strength and depth in that area. He has played at the highest level, scored goals at the highest level and is different to what we already have in the building. In addition to that, he brings more experience to the younger players too.

“He has had a really good pre-season with the PFA in England, so he has kept himself really fit. He trained today, but you need to take into consideration the lack of minutes that he’s had, and the lack of time he has trained with the team, so we need to manage his situation. We have a break after this game to make sure that we get him fully fit and firing.”

Unfortunately, we will be without Kieron Bowie who has been ruled out for the next four months after picking up a hamstring injury whilst away with the Scotland U21s. Despite Bowie’s absence, Gray is taking confidence from the last two weeks and is eager to build on the last couple of results.

“We have had a really positive two weeks, obviously there was an immediate disappointment after losing the last-minute goal to Kilmarnock.

“Once the dust settles and you look back on the performances, there are positives to take and we are moving in the right direction. The boys have trained well, there is a buzz around the group, and everyone is getting fitter and stronger and we have injured players coming back.

“We expect a real tough test as always, they will come here and make it hard for us. The expectation is on us to win the game, and rightly so. We’ve had an opportunity in the last two weeks to work out how we can exploit them and make sure we get three points.”