Gray has no issue with flak as Hibs eye semi-final

David Gray insists he is not preoccupied by criticism that has followed a disappointing start to the season as Hibernian set their sights on the first semi-final of his reign as head coach.

The Edinburgh side will reach the last four of the Premier Sports Cup if they can beat League 1 side Ross County in Dingwall on Saturday.

Having lost back-to-back Premiership matches to Heart of Midlothian and St Johnstone, and squandered a great opportunity to reach the Conference League, Gray is under scrutiny in the early phase of his third season in charge.

"That's the life of a football manager," he said. "You're judged on results and that doesn't change. If I'd won three or four games in a row, I'd still put pressure on myself to be better every day.

"If you think you've completed it and stand still, football has a way of changing very quickly, both in a positive way and a negative way."

Gray was backed by the Easter Road board at the beginning of his managerial career when he won just one of his first 15 league games but admits that was "a different situation".

"Malky [Mackay, sporting director] was also just in the door in terms of the structure and the transitional period that the club was in at that time," he said.

"Would I have expected [criticism] to come on quicker now because we're a bit more settled and we've had time to do things? Naturally. I'm not averse to criticism, I'm not shying away from it.

"I'm certainly not put off by it in terms of feeling sorry for myself. If anything, it's the opposite."

Hibs have not been to a semi-final since losing to Aberdeen in the same competition in November 2023, when Gray was on the coaching staff under Nick Montgomery.

"When we spoke about challenges and objectives at the start of the season, getting to Hampden was right at the very top of the list," he added.

"If I allow the noise to affect what we're doing or distract me in any way then you just go under in that situation.

"I've been through adversity before and the focus is simply that we need to make sure we win.

"The form and everything else doesn't matter this weekend. It's about making sure everyone knows the job in hand, which is a real chance to get to Hampden."

County are unbeaten in League 1 and one of veteran striker Brian Graham's nine goals came in a home draw with Dundee in the competition's group stage.

"They've stayed full-time and kept their core together," Gray said of the Highland side relegated from the Championship. "It wouldn't surprise me if they found themselves back in the Premiership again with the infrastructure, players and management team they've got.

"They've started the season really well, they're used to winning games and they'll be playing with confidence. That adds to the challenge we've got."