Hibs need to rise to the challenge of being chased - David Gray
The Hibees are aiming to close out third place in the Scottish Premiership
Last updated 28th Mar 2025
David Gray has told Hibernian to rise to the challenge of being chased by the pack as they try to close out third place in the William Hill Premiership.
The Easter Road side were bottom of the table as recently as December but have picked off nine of their rivals over the past few months to climb into third.
While the top two of Celtic and Rangers are too far ahead to be caught, Gray has called on his team to hold their nerve in the remaining eight games as the likes of Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts and Motherwell bid to hunt them down.
The reward for third place will be guaranteed European group-stage football next season if red-hot favourites Celtic win the Scottish Cup.
"As I said to the players before we played Kilmarnock, we're in a different situation now, which is we're the team being chased," said the Hibs manager.
"So rather than us chasing, wanting to try and catch the team in front of us, everyone's trying to catch us now. And we need to make sure we have a different mentality, a mentality where we're desperate to try and stay there and do everything we can to do that.
"That's the focus between now and the end of the season."
Hibs continue to be without key duo Joe Newell and Nicky Cadden through injury as they host a resurgent St Johnstone side who have won six and drawn two of their last 10 games but remain five points adrift at the foot of the table.
Despite the gulf in league positions, Gray admits it is a hazardous fixture for his side.
"They're only a couple of positive results away from catching the team in front of them," he added. "They've got that bit of belief about them where they're trying to catch that team in front - and that's always dangerous.
"They're coming here and they need to win. It's not as if they want to win, they need to win. I think that's a different mindset entirely, rather than just thinking, 'oh, I'd like to win today'.
"It's got all the makings of a good game, but also a tough game for us. We know we need to be right at the very top of our game to make sure we get the right result."