David Gray heartened by Hibernian displays heading into ‘business end’ of season

David Gray senses Hibernian building a head of steam for “the business end of the season” after their 3-0 home win over Kilmarnock moved them within striking distance of fourth-placed Motherwell in the William Hill Premiership.

Owen Elding broke the deadlock after just 15 seconds before Felix Passlack struck in the 12th minute, with substitute Ante Suto notching the third in stoppage time as Hibs made it six matches in a row unbeaten.

The Edinburgh side are now just three points behind faltering Well – who briefly held an eight-point advantage over the Hibees a little over a month ago – in the battle to ensure a European place for next season.

“Before the game we were six points behind Motherwell and only to play them one more time, so you’re relying on other results,” said Gray. “But all you can do is take care of your own business, and we’ve certainly done that today.

“Three goals at home, clean sheet – that’s three clean sheets in a row as well – it was really pleasing. Our form, six games undefeated, needs to be strong at this stage of the season because of what’s at stake.

“Momentum is huge in football. It’s the most important thing for success. When I think back to the good runs that we’ve been on in the past, you don’t always play well, but you find a way to win games, and that can be (due to) the momentum that’s behind you.

“This is the business end of the season, this is when it really matters most.

“We’re now going into the last game before the split, a difficult game up at Aberdeen, in the best possible way we could be off the back of a clean sheet, three goals and three points, knowing that we’ve still got six cup finals to go to try and get as many points as we can to give us the best chance to finish as high as we can.”

Killie remain in the relegation play-off spot, three points behind St Mirren and Aberdeen.

It was the second away game in succession that Neil McCann’s side had fallen behind in the opening minute and he said: “It was a flashback to the Falkirk game. You just make the outcome of the game, to be able to turn it around, so difficult.

“They got a wee lift because of the early goal and it probably spooked us a wee touch. But then once we regained a wee bit of shape, I felt we came into the match and I probably feel we were the better side for the total game. But the disappointment is I don’t think we did enough with that dominance.

“I don’t think it was a 3-0 game but if you don’t have quality in football matches then you stand a lesser chance of getting something from it.”