David Gray delighted with second-half performance in victory over Aberdeen

Hibs head coach David Gray was delighted with his players’ second-half performance in last night’s 2-0 victory over Aberdeen. 

Hibs made it back-to-back wins at Easter Road with goals from Thibault Klidjé and Junior Hoilett securing the three points.

Speaking to Hibs TV after the match, Gray was extremely pleased with the result and overall team performance.

“That is a huge three points, especially off the back of the derby. I think that’s something I spoke about before the game — building that momentum and taking that feel-good factor into today’s game. 

“I think there was certainly an element of being a bit flat in the first half, and when I think back, it’s a little bit understandable just because of everything that went into the derby at the weekend.

“But I thought the second half was much more like us — we started a lot more aggressively, a lot more on the front foot, and with a lot more attacking threat. I thought that was key as well. Over the piece, I thought we deserved to win the game, and that’s a massive three points.

“If you take me all the way back to the Dundee United game, when I spoke about how big a point that could be, and then back that up with your home form, thankfully, we’ve managed to do that, which is not easy to do against two difficult teams.

“The timing of the goals was huge. I think the first goal in the game, just because of the way the game went, was massively important. I thought Aberdeen always carried a threat on the transition. 

“In the first half, if we gave the ball away at times — although we weren’t sloppy — that’s what Aberdeen were looking for. They were breaking on us really quickly.

“We spoke about that at half-time, making sure we were secure behind the ball but also moved it quickly and didn’t make it too slow. That first goal was hugely important because we got it at a good time. After that, I thought we dominated the game.

“The timing of the second one was huge because it allows you to see the game out a little bit easier, rather than the anxiety that naturally comes, especially with eight minutes of stoppage time. If there’s only one goal in it, all it takes is a mistake or a wonder goal, or something thrown into the box that you’re forced to defend. So it allowed us to see the game out a bit easier.”

There were several absentees on the night, with Kieron Bowie (illness), Nicky Cadden (injured), and Rocky, Chaiwa and Obita (AFCON international duty) all unavailable. Despite that, Gray highlighted the importance of squad depth and was delighted with some of the individual performances on show this evening.

“All in all, it was a fantastic night. I’ve spoken a lot about the squad and the importance of the squad, and tonight’s a brilliant example of that. International players being away, losing Kieron Bowie to illness, Nicky Cadden’s injury, and then Boyle coming off — and I thought Boyle was playing really well in the first half, so it was disappointing for him.

“But the squad needs to be ready. Players who train well every single day — some of them will be disappointed because everybody wants to play. That’s the difficult part of my job, trying to select players. When players are playing, they’re happy; when they’re not, they’re frustrated and want their opportunity.

“The biggest thing I speak about with the players is making sure you train properly and are ready to step up when given the opportunity – tonight is a brilliant example of that. Elie Youan came on and did really well. Josh Campbell got a start again and played really well. 

“Thibault got a start after a period out injured and more consistent training, and he gets his goal, which will do him the world of good. Junior Hoilett came on and scored.

“The squad depth has been needed, and will continue to be needed because the games come thick and fast. We had a big game at the weekend, and now we have a difficult game down there on the Astro that we need to be ready for. 

“But we’ve given ourselves a really good platform now to kick on going into 2026.”