Hibernian return to league action on Sunday afternoon as they travel to Dundee to face Steven Pressley’s Dundee at Dens Park.
Following on from the disappointment of Thursday nights UEFA Conference League playoff defeat to Belgian side Gent, David Gray will be hoping for a positive reaction from his side.
Hibernian were just six minutes away from qualifying for the group stages of a European competition for the first time in the clubs history, but two late goals from Gent would deny Hibs a place in the league phase of the Conference league for the second consecutive season.
It was a familiar story for the Easter Road club, having experienced similar playoff heartbreak in the same competition twelve months ago, losing out to Legia Warsaw of Poland in extra time after a dramatic 3-3 draw in normal time.
Speaking before Sunday’s match against Dundee, Gray insisted that if European nights are to return to Easter Road next season then domestic form will play a crucial part in that.
“As I said last season, and I’m going to say it again now, (European) nights like this are special nights if you come out on the right side of the scoreline, but you felt it in the stadium”.
“The players responded really well to it, and if you want nights like that, your domestic form needs to be good.
“So we need to bounce back as quick as we can because we’ve got a tough game away on Sunday.”
The Hibs boss also emphasised the need to stick together and believes that Thursday’s defeat should serve as motivation for the season ahead.
“I think right now it’s very difficult. Clearly we’re all human beings that are all suffering, and they’re all really disappointed, but it’s my job and the staff’s job to get around the players and make them bounce back as quickly as we can.
“There was nothing I was going to say immediately after the game that makes them feel any better about that in the dressing room, but as quick as we can, we get around the boys and we make sure that we show them where we can improve.
“That’s what it’s all about. We always need to try and improve as much as we can, and there will be a lot of positives to take from the game and learnings to take from it.
“But that’s the big thing that we need to make sure we keep moving forward, because as we showed in very large spells tonight, when we do get it right, we’re a very good side. We just need to put that complete performance in.”
Hibs have started their league campaign with a loss to Motherwell at Easter Road on the opening day before defeating Derek McInnes’ Rangers at Ibrox.
Focus for David Gray’s men is now on ending the month with three points before the first Edinburgh Derby of the season at Easter Road on Thursday night.