Lyness out to impress in his No.1 senior clash
BY ALAN MARSHALL WHEN Hibs last crossed swords with Celtic they had an opportunity to announce themselves as shock title contenders.
Less than two months later the sides will renew hostilities with the Hibees seeking to climb from eighth spot.
However, Easter Road skipper David Gray reckons the visit of Brendan Rodgers’s rampant champions is the perfect platform to prove they still belong in the shake-up at the summit.
Neil Lennon took his charges to Celtic Park on October 20 knowing a win – along with Hearts failing to beat Aberdeen – would send them top of the Premiership after a blistering start.
But they crashed 4-2 and the defeat proved the catalyst for a seven-match winless run they finally halted with a 1-0 victory over Hamilton on Saturday.
And Gray is adamant that result has given Hibs a timely injection of confidence as they aim to make a statement of intent against Celtic before their clashes against Rangers and Livingston.
He said: “Our objective has not changed. We’ve had a bad run of results but everyone needs to remember we don’t become a bad team overnight.
“We started the season really well and before going to Celtic last time there was a chance for us to go top of the league.
“So we are not too far away. A little run of results can really catapult us up the table and we are definitely looking above us. First we need to get into the top six, then top four and then just see how far we can go. Even eighth, we’re still within striking distance of the teams at the top.”
Hibs proved a tough nut for Celtic to crack in the capital last season with two meetings between the clubs at Easter Road ending in a breathless 2-2 draw and, most recently, a 2-1 win for Lennon’s side.
Gray said: “We know what a test Celtic are going to be.
“They have dominated Scottish football for a number of years and Sunday will be tough but I also know, coming to Easter Road, they’ll be in for a game.
“We’ve always done well against them there and the result at the weekend gives us a little bit of confidence and takes some of the pressure off. I’m sure Celtic will be preparing for a real challenge. We need to make sure we don’t disappoint them!”
Gray, absent since October 6 as he
They’ll be in for a game. We have always done well against Celtic at Easter Road
battles back from a persistent muscle strain, has stepped up his bid to be available for Sunday’s mouthwatering clash, resuming full training at the club’s East Lothian base this week.
But even without his presence on the pitch, Gray’s influence has been felt – with midfielder Stevie Mallan recently revealing the experienced defender called a squad meeting to address their recent failings before the victory against Accies.
Gray said: “I was the instigator of the meeting but I’m not one for screaming and shouting or having a go at anyone. It was more a case of knowing we would all benefit from having that sort of discussion.
“Some things came to the fore people weren’t happy with and wanted to change and that was the right place to sort it.
“It’s important you’ve got to be able to take criticism and more importantly, own up and take responsibility for your own performances.
“Results weren’t right and we were not where we needed to be compared to the start of the season. We’ve been on such a good run for the last two-and-a-half years.
“We’ve been flying. So when things weren’t quite going right it was important we all got together. Everybody was hurting, everybody cares and we all wanted to put things right. Thankfully we managed to do that at the weekend.”
Gray’s importance to the Hibs cause is underlined by their record with him in the side. They are unbeaten in his 10 starts for the club this term, with the 30-year-old racking up five goals.
He added: “I’m not helping anyone when I’m not playing. I need to concentrate on getting back as quick as I can and make sure I’m ready to contribute to the team.”
Gray was speaking during Hibs’ annual visit to Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital BY CARL ASKEW DEAN LYNESS has no fears about being thrust into St Mirren’s crunch clash against Aberdeen on Saturday – despite having never played a senior game in Scottish football.
The keeper, 27, will be handed his debut for Oran Kearney’s side as Danny Rogers can’t face his parent club and former No.1 Craig Samson left to become a coach at Sunderland.
Lyness had two years on the books at Hearts as a teenager and a short loan spell at East Fife but never made a first-team appearance for either club.
The Birmingham-born goalie’s last competitive match was for National League North side Nuneaton Borough in April.
He said: “After Sammy left, the gaffer and goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield told me there was a good chance I’d start against Aberdeen so I’ve been thinking about this match for the last few weeks.
“I played down south at the end of last season and in a few reserve games since coming to St Mirren.
“You have to be prepared to step in at a minute’s notice. As a goalkeeper it’s often about just waiting for that chance and making sure you’re 100 per cent ready to take it.
“My contract expires next month so it’s also an opportunity to show what I can do in a competitive situation by hopefully helping the team get a win.”