HIBERNIAN interim manager David Gray insists the high profile names linked with the dugout vacancy proves that the club remains an attractive proposition.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane and ex-Netherlands international Phillip Cocu are among those shortlisted for the post by the bookmakers following the sacking of Shaun Maloney earlier this month.
Hibs owner Ron Gordon’s penchant for regularly going through managers - the American had already dismissed Paul Heckingbottom and Jack Ross in 2019 and 2021 respectively - raised some concerns that potential candidates would be put off the job.
Despite Hibs ending the season in the bottom six of the Premiership, former club captain Gray maintains there is plenty going for the Leith outfit.
“I think that’s the expectation that comes with the club,” said Gray, who is hoping to follow up last weekend’s win over St Mirren with another three points at Livingston today.
“It is a massive club in Scotland. It has been forever in Scotland, a massive fan base, a great city, great facilities and great stadium and I think we all appreciate that it should be fighting towards the top end of the league so it’s a great opportunity for a lot of managers for those reasons and the place is a great place to live.
“I’m sure there will be many more names moving forward, it’s all, as far as I’m aware, speculation at the moment and I’m not getting caught up in it at the moment.
“My job is to prepare the team the best I can for the rest of the season and that’s all I’m doing with the help of Eddie (May)."
Gray has not officially ruled himself out of the running but it appears unlikely he will be the new permanent manager given that Gordon has already expressed his desire to hire an experienced coach.
Former Sunderland and Ipswich Town boss Keane, however, could come into that category.
“He’s a very experienced manager,” said Gray, "that’s entirely up to the club which direction they want to go in.
“But in terms of what he has achieved in the game, it’s very high.
“Would it be a statement? I think Hibs mean business anyway. I think that needs to be the way moving forward.
“The job itself is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who gets it.
“And I’m sure there will be many big names linked with it going forward.”
Gray also briefly took charge of the team following Ross’ dismissal in December and back then he talked of having sleepless nights.
However, Gray insists these experiences have fuelled his desire to become his own man.
He added: “I’m definitely more comfortable, probably learning for four months after that under Shaun has probably helped me in this situation and the more responsibility I was doing under Shaun was fantastic for me personally.
"I feel more relaxed and comfortable with the situation now.
“The couple of experiences I’ve had now have definitely given me the appetite for it. It’s something that I enjoy the responsibility of.”
