David Gray confident Hibernian can still pull off statement wins

David Gray reassured worried supporters that Hibernian are still capable of pulling off “statement wins” like those that underpinned their exhilarating surge to third place last season.

The Easter Road side embarked on a stunning run of form around this time last year that incorporated four memorable victories over Rangers, Celtic and city rivals Hearts.

Monday’s 1-0 defeat away to Gers, however, was the sixth time this season they have failed to beat any of those three clubs, leading to concerns that Gray’s fifth-placed team are ill-equipped to compete at the top end of the William Hill Premiership.

“Yeah, the frustration’s there,” said the manager, acknowledging gripes about Hibs’ lack of results against the current top three. “I think that also comes with the expectation that’s started to build up over a period.

“I would also look at that and say we’ve gone toe to toe with everybody, so the Rangers and Celtic games could have been very different.

“I’m not going to make excuses, but very fine margins went against us in these games.

“I know last season there was a period where we got a few big statement wins, especially in the second half of the season, but there’s a lot of football still to be played.

“There’s a lot of positives to take from some of the performances we’ve put in already, but we also know we’ve not quite clicked and I think there is still that to come. When that does come, we know we’re a side that can really push on.

“At this stage last season, we hadn’t won a big game. I don’t think we’d won many games at all at this point last season, so it’s not as if we’re worrying about where we are at the moment.”

While Hibs have flattered to deceive at times, midfielder Josh Mulligan has been thriving since joining from Dundee in the summer.

The 23-year-old has been touted for a place in Scotland’s World Cup squad and has been linked with a string of other clubs, including Leeds and Nottingham Forest.

“I was rumoured when I was at Dundee, and that was quite difficult when you’re playing for Dundee and there’s a lot of other teams there (being linked), but I think I dealt with it well then, so I’m just going to be the same person and just focus on the football first,” Mulligan said. “I don’t look into that (speculation) too much.”

Former Scotland Under-21 international Mulligan, who earned a maiden call-up to Steve Clarke’s full squad in October, believes he has a realistic chance of making it to the World Cup.

“That’s definitely something I want, to be in that squad, but firstly I need to put in the performances here, that’s the most important thing,” he stressed. “If that happens, then it’s a dream come true.

“You kind of put it to the back of your mind, but obviously you find yourself thinking about it every now and then.”