David Gray happy Hibernian got Sunshine on Leith rendition after beating Celtic

David Gray was delighted his in-form Hibernian team got to experience a rousing rendition of Sunshine on Leith for the first time this season after their stunning 2-1 home win over Celtic on Saturday.

The Proclaimers song has become synonymous with the Hibees, but it is usually reserved for special occasions like derby victories, cup wins and triumphs over the big two from Glasgow.

After Josh Campbell’s first-half double proved enough to see off the runaway league leaders and make it 13 matches unbeaten in all competitions, Sunshine on Leith reverberated around sun-kissed Easter Road.

Gray had experienced it plenty of times as a player, but this was his first time since becoming manager last summer – and he felt it was even more emotionally charged because it was almost two years to the day since the death of former owner Ron Gordon, whose family still run the club.

“I’ve been very fortunate as a player to stand there and feel that,” he said. “Obviously, it’s my first time as a manager which I’m delighted for but I’ve always said to the players that it’s a real special moment that it’s hard to get in this football club, but when it does come around you need to cherish it because it’s so special.

“I think then when you think back to how important that result was and performance was, it’s then fitting as well that two years since Ron passed, you’ve seen the boards (around the stadium) today celebrating his life.

“That’s certainly something that he would be really proud of today looking down. I’m delighted for absolutely everyone involved.

“These are special moments with the players and the fans and the connection that’s there at the minute. You can really feel it every time you take the field at the moment.”

Hibs’ win on Saturday kept them three points clear in fifth place and firmly on course for a top-six finish ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Dundee United and an Edinburgh derby at home to Hearts next Sunday.

The Hibees had to withstand a tense second half in which Daizen Maeda pulled one back before the Celtic forward had what would have been an 83rd-minute equaliser ruled out when the ball was contentiously deemed to have run out of play just as Alistair Johnston was crossing it into the box.

“That was a massive moment in the game,” admitted Gray. “Sometimes you need that little bit of luck, a little bit of fortune along the way but I think with our effort, with our application, how hard the boys ran and how much they put into it, they fully deserved that break.”

Celtic suffered only their second domestic defeat of the season just days after their stirring performance in a 1-1 Champions League draw away to Bayern Munich but Brendan Rodgers insisted his side – still 13 points clear at the top of the table – would not be dwelling on their Easter Road setback.

“Listen, it’s football, it’s sport, we were brilliant during the week, we don’t want to have any excuse for fatigue, tiredness,” he said. “You’re at a big club, you’ve got to get used to being tired and playing through that. We just weren’t quite on it.

“We’ll analyse the game but there’s no real time to overthink it. It’s a disappointing result for us, no doubt, but we’ll get back on the horse again, get our recovery started and get ready for Aberdeen Tuesday night, which is an important game for us.”