Gray hasn’t given up hope of lifting more silverware for Hibees
David Gray is an example of a player showing there’s no “Generation Game” in football.
The 32-year-old Hibs full-back is facing the same dilemma as teammates half his age – should he stay at Easter Road or look for a fresh challenge?
Gray will always be remembered as the man who scored the winning goal in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final against Rangers.
His part in ending their 114-year drought in the competition is bound to be mentioned again when the Edinburgh men take on Stranraer today.
But Gray isn’t content to sit back, and live off past glories.
He wants to play, but has only had four outings this season.
The club captain isn’t one to rock the boat, and demand of manager Jack Ross that he gets a game.
Gray has a contract that runs until 2023, and he will assess his situation in the summer.
Some of his fellow first-team players may have an even more difficult decision.
Hibs owner, Ron Gordon, has admitted one or two players may have to be sold at the end of the season.
There’s interest in 18-year-old fullback, Josh Doig, from Leicester City, Ryan Porteous was the subject of a bid from Millwall in January, and Birmingham City wanted to buy Kevin Nisbet at the same time.
Manchester United are also eyeing 16-year-old striker, Ethan Laidlaw.
Gray knows how hard it will be for those rising stars to decide where their future lies.
He was only 16 when he left Hearts to spend four years with Manchester United – but made only one appearance in the League Cup, away to Crewe Alexandra.
Gray said: “My message would always be that the most important thing is you need to play.
“I’m slightly different with not playing because there’s a big difference between me and someone aged 18 or 19.
“If I get a chance, I’ll back myself to try to stay in the team. That’s what’s driving me forward.
“My advice to young guys who get an offer would be, if everything else in the move is right, are you going to get game time?
“That’s the important thing.
“It’s the most enjoyable thing. You’ll get more out of it if you’re playing.
“I think the exposure our young guys have
most had in the top league in Scotland has been fantastic, and they’ve shown they’re more than capable of playing at this level.
“They’ve not just been playing at this level – they’ve been excelling at it.”
Gray believes these rising stars can stay at Easter Road, and still progress.
He added: “The fact Manchester United are interested in Ethan is fantastic.
“But Hibs is a great club to be at, and if you manage to get yourself in the first-team, there are opportunities that can come from that.
“There’s more than one way to make your way in the game.
“Someone like John McGinn came to Hibs, and did fantastically well.
“Now he’s at Aston Villa, and he’s probably one of Scotland’s best players, and doing well week in, week out, in the Premier League.”
Gray has that Scottish Cup winner’s medal tucked away, but remains ambitious to win more honours.
He said: “Do I think Hibs can win the Cup again? Absolutely.
“We showed last weekend that we are capable of matching the likes of Celtic and Rangers.
“I’m not sure the magnitude of the 2016 Cup Final has really sunk in yet, almost five years on.
“Once I stop playing, and take a step back from the game, I think all the players involved that day will realise what we did.
“But while I’m still playing, I’m hungry for more.”