Hibernian’s David Gray Emphasizes Patience Ahead of Legia Warsaw Clash

Hibernian manager David Gray has urged his team to remain composed as they prepare for the second leg of their tie against Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Hibees are set to face a challenging match in Poland following a narrow 2-1 defeat in the first leg at Easter Road last week, where Josh Mulligan‘s late strike provided a glimmer of hope.

Gray emphasized the importance of a balanced approach in the upcoming match, highlighting that while a strong start is crucial, maintaining patience will also play a vital role. “You always want to start every game well, regardless of what the actual scoreline is or the state of the tie,” he stated. “We are one goal down with a minimum of 90 minutes of football to be played.”

With the team needing to score at least two goals to secure a victory, Gray cautioned against an overly aggressive strategy that could leave them exposed. “It doesn’t need to be gung-ho or really stretched. We also need to fully respect the level of opposition,” he added, acknowledging the quality of Legia Warsaw. “They’re a very good side, and we’re going to have to be at our very best again.”

Gray expressed confidence that his players are eager for the challenge ahead. He said, “It is a challenge that the players are all looking forward to. As a coach, I’m looking forward to it as well, and we have a lot of football to be played.”

The manager pointed out that the late goal from Mulligan keeps the tie alive, stating, “That goal for us at Easter Road makes us only one goal behind and really keeps the tie alive. So it certainly is all to play for.” He reiterated that momentum is crucial in football, and the first goal of the match will play a significant role in shaping the game’s outcome.

In preparation for the match, Gray appreciated the benefit of a recent SPFL policy that granted Hibernian a free weekend to focus on training. “You just want to go play a game, don’t you?” he remarked. “The players will be waiting and counting down the time until Thursday.”

He also stressed the importance of reflection and analysis after the previous match. “From a coaching point of view, you want to try and give the players as much rest as you can,” he explained. “We are looking back on how we played in the last game, what went well, and what we need to do to give ourselves the best chance to progress into group stage football.”

As the countdown to the crucial second leg continues, Gray remains optimistic about his team’s prospects, reinforcing his belief that there is still everything to play for. “I still feel the same way having watched it back. There is a lot of football left in this tie,” he concluded.

Hibernian will face Legia Warsaw on Thursday, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 CET. The outcome of this match will determine whether the Hibees advance in the competition or see their European journey come to an end.