NO GRAY AREA – I’LL BE BOSS

Hibs to a draw at St Mirren and a win over Dundee in his two matches as caretaker, was told yesterday by chief executive Ben Kensell he’ll be at the helm a third time on the biggest stage of all.

The hero of the 2016 Scottish Cup Final victory over Rangers is now just 90 minutes from doing the double as captain and manager.

And he said: “It’s great. The most important thing is it’s great for the players because then they have clarity, they understand exactly what is happening, there are no distractions. There are no ifs, buts, maybes – full focus changes to Celtic at the weekend.

“I spoke to Ben this morning and that was the message straight away.

“Everyone understands the situation. The earlier you can find out exactly what’s happening, the

clearer the picture becomes for players. That’s the important thing.”

Talks with Maloney are at an advanced stage and he’s expected to be confirmed as Jack Ross’ successor in the next 48 hours.

But the former Scotland and Celtic hero, who has spent the last three years working under Roberto Martinez with the Belgium national side, will take a back seat at Hampden.

Gray was coy on the prospect of Maloney taking over but added: “I don’t know where we are at in terms of who the next manager is going to be.

“All I know in terms of Shaun is that he has been working at a very high level and under a fantastic manager at Belgium.

“He was a fantastic player and knows the Scottish game very well.

“But my opinion on that doesn’t matter – it is about what the club wants to do. And we will be in a position to react once we know what is happening.”

Gray’s legendary status at Easter Road was secured with his last-gasp winner against Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final – a moment that saw him unofficially knighted as Sir David Gray by the Hibees support.

But he was playing it cool on any suggestion his presence in the dugout would sprinkle some Mount Florida magic.

The 33-year-old was also a member of the side that lost the League Cup Final to Ross County in 2016 and then an unused sub in May’s Scottish Cup Final defeat by St Johnstone.

He said: “From a fans’ point of view you’ll always get that, which is great.

“It’s better than fans booing you, I suppose.

“But I’ve lost one as well. I lost to Ross County in the League Cup Final and then lost in the Scottish Cup Final in May, so it’s all about using these experiences to the best of your ability.

“I know how good it can be and I also know how much it can hurt if you don’t get the right result.

“They’re so important and the majority of the players have been involved in cup finals as well, so they know how that feels.

“The most important thing is they’re excited about it and not worrying about it. There are only two teams left in the cup so why can’t it be us?

“We’ve shown this season we’re more than a match for anybody and can beat anyone on our day.

“That’s the message going into the game and the confidence will be high, especially after the Dundee result. I’ve never done it in this position, I don’t know exactly how it’s going to be.

“All I can do is pass on my knowledge and experience from captaining the club. I’ve always got a very experienced group of players in there, the likes of Paul (Hanlon), Lewey [Lewis Stevenson] and Daz [Darren McGregor], players who have been there and done it all.”

Gray is confident Kevin Nisbet and Chris Cadden will be fit after both hobbled off in Tuesday’s 1-0 win. He added: “The early signs are promising.”