David Gray was left disappointed and frustrated at full-time after Hibs fell to a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell on the opening day of the William Hill Premiership campaign.
The Steelmen took the lead from the penalty spot in the first half, before Martin Boyle scored a penalty of his own to get us back on level terms.
Hibs created numerous opportunities to take the lead, but in the end were dealt a sucker punch as Ibrahim Said found a late winner for the visitors.
Speaking to Hibs TV after the match, Gray shared his frustration on the 90 minutes.
“I think the immediate feeling is real disappointment and frustration because of the manner in which we ended up losing the game. I believe, especially with the way the second half went, we should have come away with three points. If not three points, then at least a point.
“The goal we conceded sums it up. It was real naivety, and that’s what cost us the game.
“Even in the first half, giving away the penalty was poor. Looking at the balance of play, I thought we had the better moments in the first half without creating any real clear-cut chances.
“I thought we restricted Motherwell well, and apart from the penalty, they offered very little. The penalty came from poor decision-making, which can happen in games.
“I thought we were much better in the second half in terms of the intensity to get after Motherwell. I certainly got that reaction at half-well, and I thought we were miles better.
“We got back to 1-1, and I thought there was only one team that was going to go on and win the game.
“I can’t fault the players for their effort, intensity or intent to go and win the game.
“I thought the substitutions helped us attack and showed we were trying to do that, especially at home when it went to 1-1. We wanted to make sure we were the team in the ascendancy, and I think the stats will show that as well.
“The only stat that really matters is the one at the end. We lost the game 2-1 through, I’m going to use the word again, naivety.
“That’s not just aimed at any individual who gave the ball away. Yes, losing it in that area was poor, but it’s also about the opportunities and decision-making after that to make sure the ball doesn’t end up in your goal.
“That could be making sure the game stops immediately or delaying the attack for as long as possible. I thought our defending in that situation cost us the game today.
“It’s really tough to take because we wanted to start the season on the front foot and positively.
“I thought we were the better side across the piece and deserved to win the game. Unfortunately, we’re standing here with zero points and that’s what makes it really tough to take.”
Hibs return to action Thursday night, hosting KF Shkëndija in the UEFA Conference League Third Qualifying Round.
Gray insists the players need to dust themselves down quickly and get ready for another tough test.
He added: “I could stand here and say the positive is that we’re creating a lot of chances.
“Over the last two games we’ve looked very dangerous and created big moments, but at this level you have to take them. While the game’s in the balance, you need to make sure you take your opportunities. We didn’t do that.
“The positive is that we’ve got a good chance to go again on Thursday.
“It’s my job to pick the players up because they’ve put a lot into that performance. As I said, they deserved to win the game, or at least get a point from it.
“I’m not saying we were completely dominant for 90 minutes because we weren’t, but if one team was going to go on and win the game, I felt it was going to be us.
“There are a lot of positives to take and a lot for me to analyse, but we need to pick ourselves up because it’s another huge game here on Thursday night.
“It’s different playing the first leg at home rather than away. We’ve picked up a few bumps and bruises, so we need to make sure the players recover quickly.
“Hopefully we’ll get a couple of players back as well. That will help in the final third when you think about the creative players like Jamie (McGrath), Nicky (Cadden) and Callum (Wright).
“They’re all forward-thinking players and they’ll add more depth to those attacking areas because we’re going to need everybody if we’re to be as competitive as we can be in both our European and domestic campaigns.
“The games come around very quickly – we know what’s coming, and we need to make sure we bounce back as quickly as we can.”
