David Gray hailed his Hibs derby hero Jack Iredale after his glory strike put Hearts to the sword at Easter Road, calling the defender a ‘leader’ and a ‘real man’.
Iredale grabbed the headlines as his long-range 74th minute shot dipped and deceived Hearts keeper Craig Gordon to settle a keenly fought Edinburgh derby in the home side’s favour, taking Hibs’ unbeaten run to 15 games in the process.
Gray was delighted for the Australian defender to be the hero on the day, but he said his wider contribution has been just as vital in producing Hibs’ remarkable turnaround this season.
“I think he's a real man,” Gray said.
“He's a guy who puts his body on the line all the time. He's a 100 percenter. He plays at times when carrying knocks and niggles, he'd always put his hand up to try to play.
“He had to be really patient for his opportunity. When he joined the club, he had a bit of an injury, but since he's had his opportunity and he's got in the team, he's very consistent, makes really good decisions.
“If he does make a mistake, he doesn't let it fluster him. He keeps moving forward. He's certainly the type of player who you need in your dressing room.
“When people talk about who you want sitting beside you and who's got your back going into a game, he's definitely one of them.
“He's a leader, he's a man, he's someone who gives absolutely everything every single week. You can't have enough of them in your squad, that's for sure.
“I think it was a brilliant strike. It's very fitting to win a derby in that way. He isn't a prolific goal scorer, is he, but it was a brilliant strike, and it needed to be, to beat a goalkeeper like Craig Gordon from that distance.
“It was fully fitting to win a derby with that moment. It’s a special moment for him, for something that I'm sure he'll have on constant repeat, because he certainly won't do that very often!”
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The win over Hearts was the perfect ending to a hugely productive week for Hibs, with victories over Celtic and Dundee United putting them in pole position to make the top six, and giving them a real chance of making a claim for third position.
“We're in a good place, but there's still a lot of improvement to be done,” Gray said.
“I don't think it's about wanting it more. I think we're just playing well.
“We're going into games with full confidence. When you think back to where both sides were the last time the teams met, we're both in a different position now. But I think we're building something here.
“Yes, it was a derby against your local rivals, but there are loads of records that we've set and broken today. I think it’s the first time in 16 years we’ve won consecutive derbies and it's one defeat in 18.
“I’ve touched on a lot with the players about, ‘Can we keep moving forward and can we keep changing history in a real positive way?’
“I’m obviously delighted to win the derby, when you think back to the week we've had with three really tough games; to beat Celtic here, to go up to Tannadice and win, and then finish the week off by beating your local rivals at home – a huge game, two clubs going into it really high in confidence.
“I’m delighted to get the three points and finish off a brilliant week. The players have put some effort into it and fully deserved it, based on the second-half performance.
“I thought in the first half we looked a wee bit nervy; we turned the ball over too much, didn't switch it enough, there wasn’t enough quality and possession at times, I thought we forced it at times as well, whereas I thought the second half was much more like ourselves.
“I thought we really deserved to win the game, based on our second-half performance, and seeing the game out really well as well.
“We need to cement that place in the top six. Today's win strengthens our hand on that front.
“There are four games before the split now, four massive games, because all the teams, right the way down, have got something to play for now. Between now and the split every game is going to be huge.
“But can we get as many points as we can going into that split and give ourselves the best possible chance to finish as high up the league as we can? I think we've demonstrated now for a number of weeks that we're a really good side.”
