MX23RW : Thursday, July 4 14:45:50| >> :600:3522823:3522823:

David Gray hails Paul Heckingbottom focus

David Gray hails Paul Heckingbottom focus
© Reuters
Hibernian finished fifth last season.

David Gray feels Hibernian can thrive even more under Paul Heckingbottom after the head coach used pre-season to drive home his detailed instructions.

Heckingbottom led Hibs to a major charge up the Ladbrokes Premiership table after taking over in February and they eventually finished fifth.

With 11 players leaving and seven arriving, he has been able to put his stamp on the squad both personnel-wise and tactically.

Gray said: "We did fantastic when he first came in and he'll have been glad of the time to stop and assess his squad and put his stamp on it and bring in his own players. He has done that well.

"He is very clear at what he wants, there are no grey areas, and he is fully focused on making sure everyone knows their jobs. There has been a lot of that over pre-season, not just on the pitch. It might be video sessions or whatever, his attention to detail is fantastic.

"Especially with new players coming in, pre-season is an opportunity to give them the information they need. He has done that really well and there have been a lot of tactical sessions.

"Everyone knows exactly what to expect from him and what he expects from us. If you're not doing your job, he is very quick to tell you that.

"But his attention to detail and tactical awareness is second to none and everyone goes into every game knowing exactly what their job is."

Gray is set to miss Saturday's season opener against St Mirren after being troubled by a knee issue but hopes he is on the road to recovery after returning to training on Monday.

"It has been frustrating because it's just a niggling thing but hopefully it's behind me and I can start to push on," the full-back said.

ID:366594: cacheID:366594:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2700:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paul Heckingbottom in charge of Leeds United on April 13, 2018
Read Next:
Heckingbottom happy with pre-season as Hibs seal place in last 16 of League Cup
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!