The Hibs ‘change’ Derek McInnes has been impressed with as Kilmarnock boss gives David Gray kudos

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Derek McInnes has given credit to Hibs boss David Gray for turning the Easter Road side’s fortunes around in recent weeks.

The Kilmarnock manager will go head-to-head with Gray this afternoon as the Hibees aim to continue their impressive run of form in the Premiership.

Equally, Killie have built some of their own momentum after a thumping Boxing Day triumph over a hapless Aberdeen – so they’ll be keen to continue the feel-good factor around the club.

McInnes admits he hasn’t been taken aback by Hibs’ resurgence, which has seen them win four of the last five league games rounded off by a victory in the Edinburgh derby against Hearts a few days ago.

The Killie gaffer thinks Hibs have a more than capable squad and tipped his hat to Gray and his coaching staff for finally managing to get the best out of the players.

• READ MORE: Hibs’ interest in Hearts’ Zander Clark addressed with another keeper in their sights for January transfer

McInnes on Hibs and David Gray

McInnes said: “We’re always looking forward to it. We spoke about this run of fixtures, including a couple of tough away games before we played our three home games in a row.

“I think it’s important that we take the confidence from the Aberdeen result. I think it’s going to be a totally different type of game.

“Obviously Hibs will bounce into it, similar to ourselves. They were on the back of a derby win and they’ve really picked up recently, that’s no real surprise when you look at the calibre of player they’ve got.

“But they’ve had a little change in shape which I think has really benefited them. And fair play to their staff who’ve managed to drag a few results out of them and get a bit of confidence.

“So there’s no doubt that we’re going to expect a tough game. But equally, I think Hibs will expect a tough game from us and they need to feel that from us, something close to Thursday will hopefully help us get a positive result.”

Kilmarnock also on better run of form

Hibs are facing no pushovers in Kilmarnock at a sold-out Easter Road on Sunday.

Killie are now unbeaten across their last four Premiership clashes and have covered well since their embarrassing 6-0 collapse against Rangers.

They’ve picked up eight points against Dundee United, Hearts, Motherwell and Aberdeen which now sees McInnes’ men sitting on 21 points alongside Hibs.

Victory in Leith would lift Killie above the Hibees into seventh and attentions will then turn to finishing in the top six for a second consecutive campaign.