Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin insists Hibs boss David Gray deserves the time to turn things around at the Easter Road club.
The Hibees are second bottom in the Premiership with just seven points from 10 games played – only city rivals Hearts are below them on six points.
But it’s not a surprise. Hibs have been woeful at the back this season and have been accused of having a soft centre, particularly after their monumental collapse to the Terrors at Tannadice two weeks ago.
And over the last few games, they’ve also struggled at the other end as they drew a blank against Ross County in Dingwall on Wednesday.
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Jim Goodwin on Hibs and David Gray
They face Dundee United again on Sunday – this time in Leith – and Goodwin was asked at his pre-match presser about Gray’s difficulties as Hibs boss so far.
And the former Aberdeen boss thinks Gray’s pedigree at the club should allow him the time to try and work things out and get Hibs motoring up the Premiership.
Goodwin said: “Yeah, I mean Hibs are in a difficult position at the moment at the table. I think they will come good, personally.
“I hope David Gray gets the time to turn it around. If anybody was ever going to be given time in management in Scotland at the moment, it would be David.
“You would like to think, given the service he’s given to Hibs. I think they’ve got far too much quality in their squad to be in the position that they’re in.
“It happens that they look like a group that just needs any kind of a win to get some confidence and momentum but we have to hope that that’s not against us.”
Declan Gallagher on facing Hibs
Dundee United defender Declan Gallagher also spoke to the media ahead of the Hibs encounter and was a bit more unforgiving than his manager.
He wants David Gray’s hapless run of form to continue with United going into the game off the back of two consecutive losses.
“We need to try to get back to winning ways”, Gallagher states.
“It’s the first time we have been in the situation of losing two on the bounce this season. So it will take a bit of mental toughness to get back at it and get points on the board again.”