Three Hibs selection dilemmas as David Gray faces ‘biggest game’ of his career

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David Gray was handed a vote of confidence by Hibs despite remaining bottom of the league.

The Hibees board put out a statement insisting Gray still has their backing, including Bill Foley and the Black Knights, but did make it clear they know there has to be improvement.

After a winless run of seven games, and only one victory this season, they now have three games in a week with a chance to put more points on the board.

First up is a trip to Dens Park to take on Dundee on Saturday before hosting Aberdeen on Tuesday night and then another away game at Motherwell.

• READ MORE: Hearts and Hibs relegation verdict as one told they’re in ‘more of a fight’

Dundee is biggest game of Hibs boss Gray’s career

David Gray is a Hibs legend after scoring the winning goal in the Scottish Cup final that brought the old trophy back to Leith for the first time in 114 years.

He has captained the side, helped them win the Championship title and been part of a team that finished third in the Premiership.

But all that pales into insignificance when compared to Saturday evening’s trip to Dundee, says former Easter Road striker Tam McManus.

He fears a defeat in the City of Discovery will unfortunately seal the manager’s fate.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
7	DundeeDundee	12	3	3	6	18	24	-6	12
8	KilmarnockKilmarnock	12	3	3	6	15	25	-10	12
9	Ross CountyRoss County	13	2	6	5	10	21	-11	12
10	ST JohnstoneST Johnstone	13	3	1	9	16	27	-11	10
11	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	13	2	3	8	14	20	-6	9
12	HibernianHibernian	12	1	5	6	11	18	-7	8

McManus said in the Daily Record: “David Gray is facing the biggest game of his career this weekend which is an incredible thing to say considering what he’s achieved with Hibs. But the pressure on the Easter Road boss to deliver a win at Dundee or at the very least to avoid another defeat is almost unimaginable.

“Gray will always be a legend in Leith because of that heroic last minute Scottish Cup Final winner against Rangers in 2016.

“But that will count for nothing if results don’t turn in the next week with three huge games against Dundee, Aberdeen then Motherwell.

“As much it only takes one match to make a hero it also only takes one to finish off a managerial career and I fear losing in Tayside on Saturday might see his 10-year association with the club brought to an end.

“David isn’t daft. He will realise this week is going to be defining for him. I desperately hope he gets the three points at Dens because as a young manager he deserves support and time.

“He got the backing of the Hibs’ board last week. But it sounded like the dreaded vote of confidence. And we all know in football how that pans out when results don’t improve.

“You can’t be bottom of the league going into Christmas. That’s the bottom line.”

Gray tipped to make Hibs changes

Gray has bemoaned his Hibs players time and again for mistakes at the back and missed chances at the front that are costing them.

That is why McManus is tipping him to go with players he can rely on to give their all and handle the pressure that will be on them.

That means Mykola Kuharevich coming back in up front after serving his suspension and big-hitters like Martin Boyle and Elie Youan dropping out.

He added: “Individual mistakes have been killing them and they simply have to stop. At quarter to six the manager will be praying his players go out and put a performance in for him.

“That’s why I reckon David will make three or four changes to the line-up and go with guys he can trust to handle the pressure. I’d expect Mykola Kuharevich to come back in up front after suspension. Elie Youan never did enough last week to stay in the team.

“It’ll be interesting to see who starts next to Marvin Ekpiteta in the centre of defence after Warren O’Hora was hooked at half time in the St Mirren defeat and replaced by Rocky Bushiri.

“Nicky Cadden did well when he came on so I’d be giving him a start out wide. Who would drop out? Martin Boyle has been away on international duty so maybe he could be rested.

“And Nectar Triantis has been poor. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dylan Levitt come in for him in midfield.”