Why David Gray is plotting Hearts revenge as Hibs boss set to ram home message to players

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David Gray has experienced the Edinburgh derby as a Hibs player, coach and now manager.

His first shot at the capital fixture as the boss came earlier this season and he was so close to a massive win that would’ve had implications for both sides as the battled it out at the bottom of the league.

The Hibees ceded a lot of possession that day but had the better chances and led 1-0 for most of the second half, but had to settle for a draw after James Wilson pounced with a late equaliser.

A victory could have propelled Hibs at that point but they continued to struggle at the foot of the Premiership until recently.

A pick up in form over the last five games have them sitting eighth and their most recent outing, a superb victory over Aberdeen, has them in a much better place. Three points at Tynecastle could be a springboard to bigger things.

Gray is seeking revenge for missing out on victory last time.

• READ MORE: Expected Hearts vs Hibs XIs as both managers contend with injuries

Gray wants Hibs to settle Hearts score

The disappointment of settling for a draw in the last derby still rankles with Gray.

But he hopes his players will benefit from now having the experience of a derby to fall back on.

Asked if the feeling of a missed chance is still there, he said: “Yes, very much so. I think when you then think back to how the game went, how our season’s gone really, we missed a lot of big chances at big times to kill the game off. And then we get punished for a mistake late on in the game.

“But on the whole, how we played in the game and how the players dealt with it was very good. For a lot of the players that was their first derby.

“This will be the first time some of them have been to Tynecastle, which is a different experience in itself. I’ll make sure the players are well aware of what they’re going into and make sure they’re going to look forward to it.

“Because it is a fantastic game to be involved in. There’s no better place to go and win a game of football than at your local rivals.

“History also tells you it’s a difficult place to go. It’s about how can we go there and impose ourselves on them.

“You feel it in the build-up. You know it. The players get a sense of the big game. The anticipation around the stadium will be there and it will be even louder this time just because it’s against us in that environment.

“But when I think back to how the first derby at Easter Road went, I always felt we were well in control of the game. Without having a lot of the ball – but the opportunities were coming.

“I think the frustration then comes from not going and winning the game, because it happens so quick. There are things happening so often that I don’t really have time to think about the moment.

“That’s regardless of the game because the rewards are exactly the same. Three points.

“I know you talk about the difference between Hearts and Ross County or whatever. But once you’re in the moment and the whistle goes it’s all about trying to win the game – and it’s not about who you’re playing against.”

Gray looks for Hibs watershed moment

“You can take a lot of confidence from it if you win this one,” he added. “And the fans make you well aware of the expectation and the demands of the game. But at the same time it is just three points and a game of football.

“It’s going to be magnified because of where both clubs find themselves at this moment in time. That’s definitely going to be a factor in it.

“You can’t get caught up in the noise of this fixture. You still need to go into the game with a game plan and not get too carried away. If you get carried away, you can end up making mistakes or having an anxiousness or nervousness in the game.

“The players need to be calm in the chaos. Because it will be chaos. And the team that settles quickest usually has the better day.”

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	17	6	7	4	25	19	6	25
6	ST MirrenST Mirren	18	7	3	8	24	29	-5	24
7	DundeeDundee	17	5	4	8	27	30	-3	19
8	HibernianHibernian	18	4	6	8	24	30	-6	18
9	KilmarnockKilmarnock	18	4	6	8	19	35	-16	18
10	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	18	4	4	10	20	27	-7	16
11	Ross CountyRoss County	18	3	6	9	14	35	-21	15