'No extra pressure' on Hibs as they aim to secure third-place finish

David Gray insists there is no extra pressure on his Hibernian side this weekend despite last week’s loss to Aberdeen that ended a long unbeaten run.

The Easter Road side are eager to secure a third-place finish in the Premiership and remain in the driving seat with four games remaining.

However, following the 1-0 defeat to Jimmy Thelin’s side, they are now joint on points with the Dons and three ahead of Dundee United who they play on Saturday.

Gray is expecting another tough game but has urged his players to take advantage of playing at home and give themselves another boost towards securing group stage football next season, and being able to attract a higher calibre of player in the summer as a result.

Speaking on Friday, the head coach says every game from now on is like a cup final.

He said: “The previous fixtures we have had (against Dundee United) have all been good games for different reasons, it will be a difficult game again but we have to take advantage of being at home and we have to start well and get the crowd right behind us.

“If we keep winning, as I have been saying for a number of weeks now, then no one will catch us and we can only concentrate on ourselves.

“The pressure is always there every time you pull on the jersey, the fact we have worked so hard to put ourselves in this position, makes every game huge.

“This group are determined to finish third now, that is the position we have put ourselves in and that’s where our focus lies, but we need to take it one game at a time.

“There’s been nothing different this week, clearly the mood after the defeat was something we haven’t experienced for a while.

“It’s not a feeling that we’ve enjoyed, but we can’t get too down about it, we have to react to it really quickly and the players have reacted in a positive way.

“As soon as the split happened we knew we had five cup finals, so we have no time worry about the past and we all have to move forward.”

It was revealed during the week that Gray had joined Brendan Rodgers and Falkirk boss John McGlynn as the three nominees for the PFA Manager of the Year award.

He admits he is humbled to be in the running after being voted by fellow managers, but insists credit goes to the players for doing the job on the pitch.

He said: “Obviously really flattered, no better accolade than fellow managers voting for you so I’m very humbled to be in that position.

“It’s a reflection on the group of players we have here and the hard work they have put in, they are the ones who have to go over the white line and deliver the results every week.

“So I am very flattered, but also appreciative for all the hard work from everyone at the football club.”