David Gray was desperate to earn a return to Hampden Park as a manager – and is delighted for his Hibernian players to make it into the League Cup semi-finals.
Hibs eased to a 3-0 victory over Ross County in Dingwall to book their place in the final four, with all three goals from Thibault Klidje, Adam Mayor and Ante Suto coming before the half-time interval.
Even though on paper there was a two-division gap between the two clubs, Gray said his messaging in the build-up to the match was to approach it like any other, and he was pleased with the professionalism the visitors showed to leave the Highlands victorious.
“I asked the players to really try and give the opposition a fright and show why we’re a Premier League side and a very good one at that if we put it all together,” he said.
“I thought it was a really professional performance, especially with all the pressure going into the game.
“Off the back of two really disappointing results, we had to make sure that there were no excuses. We knew exactly what was at stake and I’m delighted for the players because they certainly delivered on that and it’s very much job done.
“More importantly, they sent the club back to Hampden to a semi-final, which is something that’s eluded me as a manager in the last couple of seasons.
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“I was desperate to put right and I think the players fully deserve that. That’s the most pleasing thing for me.”
Ross County boss Stuart Kettlewell felt the Staggies were the architects of their own downfall with the manner of the goals they conceded.
“We’re all a bit frustrated with ourselves,” he said. “It’s difficult for me to say there was loads between the sides, but Hibs have won 3-0.
“When you’re playing against a team a couple of divisions above you, and your keeper has made one save, it tells you you’ve shot yourselves in the foot.
“When everyone fancies that there could be an upset, we made it easy for the opposition team.
“There wasn’t a great deal in it, other than those moments inside the penalty box, but I don’t think we ever got to the level we got to against Dundee here and away at Dunfermline.
“We need to take ownership of that. We can’t blame anything else, that’s on us.”
