Sunday’s Edinburgh derby was what many observers would call a typical capital clash.
There was certainly entertainment as Hibs took the lead through Mykola Kuharevich before conceding a late equaliser from Hearts’ teenage sub James Wilson.
But the game was low on quality with a lot of unforced errors, passes out the pitch and becoming bitty because of a lot of fouls.
Many of these games over the years have ended in no-scoring or low-scoring draws and once again the sides couldn’t be separated.
Hibs boss David Gray admits ‘fear’ vs Hearts
Hibees manager Gray was scathing of his players for ‘not doing their jobs’ after they conceded yet another late goal, especially frustrating for him as he insists the application was there for 99 per cent of the game.
Another exasperating factor for him was the fact his side missed really good chances to be further in front before conceding that late sucker punch.
He has now admitted there was a fear factor from both sides which contributed to the poor game.
As Gray previewed tomorrow’s game against Ross County, he said: “I thought both teams probably played the game with a fear not to lose on Sunday because it was a bit scrappy. There was a lack of quality at times within the game from both sides and that’s probably just to do with the magnitude of the game at times and situations.
“It looked a bit edgier rather than the blood and thunder you’d normally get in a derby. That can’t kick in. We need to understand where we need to be better.
“I firmly believe in the group, I believe in what we’re doing and it is fine margins at the moment that’s costing us, but we know that has to quickly change and it’s about sticking together to do that. Sometimes you need to hit rock bottom to start building again and we did that against Dundee United, hit bottom of the league.
“Yes, we still found ourselves there but we got a point in the derby. Now it’s not a disaster at all. Would we have wanted three? Yes. But we need to then quickly change that narrative and think it’s something to build on.
“Go and express yourself will always be the message. Even in the derby, the message was to go and win the game. Ross County are off the back of a good result at the weekend. It will be tough, but we’ve got a good enough side to go up there and get three points.”
Josh Campbell Hibs situation
One surprise on David Gray’s team sheet was the complete absence of Josh Campbell, even from the subs’ bench.
The midfielder was a regular in the new manager’s team at the start of the season but dropped out completely for this one, even with captain Joe Newell suspended.
The boss insists Campbell is fit but he feels he has been trying too hard.
He said: “Josh is fine. I think if you ask Josh, for levels that he’s sometimes set, he’s maybe not quite where he’d like them to be. But it’s not through a lack of effort or a lack of commitment.
“He’s desperate to try and do everything he can to make sure we turn the fortune round because he’s part of a group that’s desperate to be successful.”