Gray leaning on genius of Sir Alex – watch Ayr v Hibs on BBC

Scottish Cup fifth round: Ayr United v Hibernian

When: Friday, 7 February Where: Somerset Park, Ayr Kick-off: 19: 45 GMT.

Few people who witnessed Dundee’s victory over Hibernian in November would have been confident that manager David Gray would take over Easter Road three months later, including the manager himself.

Gray claims he could not have complained if he had been fired when his side face Ayr United in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup in front of Sportscene cameras on Friday night.

Making it this far in the season against former Hibs hero Scott Brown’s high-flying side at Somerset Park seemed unattainable just a few weeks ago.

Hibs are, however, suddenly very much on the rise.

There is a feel-good factor at the club, which is far cry from what seemed like endless rumors about Gray’s future, which is fifth in the Scottish Premiership.

The 36-year-old turned to his darkest memories of his playing days underarguably the best British manager of all time as his boss in those dark early stages of his fledgling managerial career.

As a teenager, Gray’s football education began with the best teacher Scotland could have produced, Manchester United, who had scouted him.

He was impressed from the start.

“Day one when I went down, as 16-year-old… yet Sir Alex knew everything about every single player”, recalls Gray.

“We maybe had 15 ‘ first years ‘ as part of the intake, but he knew everyone’s name and knew everything about them and their families. The attention to detail… How does he even recognize who I am, I wondered?

” It probably helped I was Scottish. He adored me with all of his heart.

However, Gray thinks that today’s lessons from Sir Alex are valuable.

” I managed to get my debut there, he played me in a League Cup match at Crewe, “he adds.

The distinction between playing professionally and being a player was something I quickly learned, though.

“Discipline. That was key. The top talent was there for the entire duration, but the ones who kicked on were the ones who put in the most effort. He immediately instilled that into us.

I continue to adhere to those principles today. I have taken that into my coaching. “

After four stints as interim boss, Gray’s coaching dramatically improved when he was appointed permanent manager in June.

Although it was a well-liked appointment, his status as a Hibs legend (more on that in a moment) prevented him from facing significant scrutiny as the team sped down the Premiership.

Every week, individual errors and late goals were costing money, and Easter Road was a source of unseasonably bad weather.

” When I think back to that Dundee game when we lost 4-1 up there, it wasn’t good enough. So if the club had decided to change it, I couldn’t have any argument with that, “Gray admits.

” Whether it was directly my fault or certain things that happened in games – I could have used a number of excuses, red cards, decisions, individual errors – but it’s 100% my responsibility. Maybe not directly my fault, but my responsibility.

“I never lost faith in the players and my job is to make sure I get the best out of them,” he said. “A lot of individual mistakes happened at the start of the season.

Gray claims that he had faith that Hibs would turn things around and drew lessons from Sir Alex during that challenging time.

Three days after Dundee’s nadir, two Hibs goals in added time saved an undeniable 3-3 draw against Aberdeen.

“The consistency in your organisation, your professionalism, and the standards you want to set every day – that shouldn’t change regardless of results or performances, and if you can do that, the players can buy into that a lot more”, Gray adds.

You have a chance of turning things around if you have the backing of the players and a genuine belief in what you are doing.

” I knew we would pull it around. I was aware of how quickly it could turn on its head as long as we could increase the level of confidence, which could be in a moment, as it happened during that Aberdeen game.

“That’s all credit to the players. I’m very appreciative of the fact that the group never split, and I’m grateful for that.

Gray describes joining Hibs in 2014 as “the greatest decision of my life” and expresses gratitude for his long association with the organization.

It gave him the opportunity to travel back to Scotland with his young family, and it marked a triumphant occasion for Hibs history.

In a pulsating final on May 21, 2016, Gray scored the winning goal to put Hibs’ 114-year wait to win the Scottish Cup to its fullest.

He claims that it will be a part of his life for the rest of it.

Three of my children, who are now watching it back on YouTube, are also my parents. It is brilliant to have these memories.

I was certain that I was getting the cross when it arrived for the goal. Once I got the contact on it, I knew I’d scored. From that moment on it was sheer adrenaline. “

Without a twist, Scottish football would not exist.

The referee sent me a yellow card for running into the crowd, Gray adds.