Hibs will take around 7,000 fans to Celtic Park on Sunday for their Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match.
Hibs had to push and push for a larger allocation, and that eventually paid off as the club received a number of extra sections at Parkhead.
The efforts of the club for acquiring those tickets was greatly appreciated by the Hibs faithful, who in turn purchased the tickets to ensure there would be a huge following for this vital cup match.
When speaking to Hibs TV, Gray heaped praise on the fans for their magnificent backing.
“It’s unbelievable. Firstly, well done to the Football Club for pushing for an increased allocation.
“We’re so grateful for the support we get every single week, but to take 7,000 through there is an amazing achievement, and an amazing effort from that number of fans to put their hands in their pocket and support us.
“You will really hear the Hibs fans, they’ll be in the corner and behind the goal, and it’ll add to the atmosphere. Hopefully we can send them home happy.
“These are the games that the players want to play in and should look forward to playing in. It’ll be a really difficult game, but we have to keep this momentum and feel-good atmosphere going.”
Hibs beat Celtic at Easter Road just less than two weeks ago, but Gray doesn’t want his players to get carried away.
“That win helps from a belief point of view. If you don’t believe we can win the game, then there’s no point in going along the M8. You have to believe you can do it.
“One thing I’ll be saying to the players is that just because we won the last match against them, that doesn’t make this game any easier. History tells you this is a really tough place to go, I think it was 2010 when a Hibs team last went there and won. It’s a real tough test.
“As we’ve done a number of times this season, we’re trying to change history in a positive way.
“At the start of every season, we have the challenge of lifting a trophy, and to do that we have to go to Celtic Park and win.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
