David Gray says Hibernian ‘have to believe’ they can beat Celtic in Scottish Cup

Hibernian head coach David Gray has challenged his players to create history as they bid to knock Celtic out of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup.

Gray became one of the most important figures in the history of the club when he headed a late winner in the 2016 final to take the trophy back to Easter Road for the first time in 114 years.

His players will have to achieve another rare feat to keep their hopes of emulating that triumph alive.

Hibs have never won at Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup and last triumphed there in the league 15 years ago.

After beating Celtic in the 1902 final, Hibs have only knocked the Hoops out of the competition once, when current coach Eddie May headed a late winner in a seven-goal quarter-final thriller at Easter Road in 1986.

There is recent encouragement given Hibs beat Celtic 2-1 in the league just two weeks ago, one of many impressive results during their ongoing 15-match unbeaten run.

But Gray knows the scale of the task.

“That win helps from a belief point of view,” he told Hibs TV. “If you don’t believe we can win the game, then there’s no point in going along the M8. You have to believe you can do it.

“One thing I’ll be saying to the players is that just because we won the last match against them, that doesn’t make this game any easier. History tells you this is a really tough place to go, I think it was 2010 when a Hibs team last went there and won. It’s a real tough test.

“As we’ve done a number of times this season, we’re trying to change history in a positive way.

“At the start of every season, we have the challenge of lifting a trophy, and to do that we have to go to Celtic Park and win.”

Hibs have lost 11 of their last 12 games at Celtic Park but the venue will not be quite as intimidating this time round given the Leith side have sold out their 7,000-ticket allocation.

“It’s unbelievable,” Gray said. “Firstly, well done to the football club for pushing for an increased allocation.

“We’re so grateful for the support we get every single week, but to take 7,000 through there is an amazing achievement, and an amazing effort from that number of fans to put their hands in their pocket and support us.

“You will really hear the Hibs fans, they’ll be in the corner and behind the goal, and it’ll add to the atmosphere. Hopefully we can send them home happy.

“These are the games that the players want to play in and should look forward to playing in. It’ll be a really difficult game, but we have to keep this momentum and feel-good atmosphere going.”