Hibs interim head coach John Potter is fully focused on securing a positive result in today’s William Hill Premiership clash with Aberdeen on Saturday.
Potter will take charge of the team this weekend after David Gray, Liam Craig and Craig Samson left the club earlier this week, following a disappointing defeat to Kilmarnock in midweek.
Reflecting on a challenging few days, Potter gave an insight into what the last few days have looked like from his perspective.
He said: “It’s obviously been a difficult few days, hearing the news of David leaving and everything that comes with that.
“I have been asked to take training over the next couple of days and organise the game for Saturday for the Club, which is what my focus has been on up to now.
“Thursday was really difficult, as David’s been here for 12 years.
“I was talking about it with Martin Boyle, and he mentioned David has been in this training ground every day for 12 years.
“Liam (Craig) and Craig Samson were brilliant as well and people I got on very well with.
“They were really popular people amongst the club, amongst this group and around the training ground, so it was really difficult on Thursday – a tough day, very quiet.
“We made sure everyone just came in, had a little chat, did what we needed to do and went home again, and today we’ve come in and tried to prepare the best we can for Aberdeen.
“It’s important that we try and move on. There is a little break after this game, so it’s important that the players go out and be prepared and go and try and win the game on Saturday.”
“Today we had a meeting this morning, and we did our usual work as we would normally do it, and then I had a quick chat with the guys.
“I just reminded them that they are all football players for Hibs, they are all good players, and it’s their job to go and try and win a game of football – there’s not a better feeling than that.
“So yes, in the background there’s been things that have happened, and it’s disappointing – and loads of players will have different reactions to that – but the most important thing is that we get ready, we be prepared and we go out and try and win the game on Saturday.”
Potter also detailed how he has tried to lift the group ahead of the weekend, and explained who has been helping him during the interim period.
He added: “I’ll be there in the dugout, along with Scott Thompson in terms of the goalkeeping side. Darren McGregor, Boozy (Guillaume Beuzelin) and Gareth Evans, all from the Academy, have stepped up and helped me over the last couple of days.
“They’re people I know really well. They have been in the game a long time, they know football, they’ve got great experience, and I’d like to thank them for the last couple of days.”
The Interim Head Coach admitted that whilst results and performances haven’t been up to standard of late, his job is to try and reinforce the belief and confidence in his players ahead of a tricky fixture with Aberdeen.
He continued: “In terms of Aberdeen, they had a brilliant win the other night, and we’ve managed to watch a lot of their games and did a lot of homework that we were doing anyway on them.
“They’ll be full of confidence, they’ve got good players, they’ve got a top manager, and it’s a really difficult game.
“It’s important for us that we make it a difficult game for them, and we put our stamp on the game. As I said, we need to give the players that little bit of confidence and remind them that they’re good players.
“Yes, we’ve had a couple of below-par performances, but within that we’ve still had some very good games this season, some good performances and some good wins.
“It’s important that we’re reminded of that, and we’re going to try and do that on Saturday.”
