Club captain Joe Newell insists sacked head coach David Gray can be proud of his record at Hibernian and believes his replacement has plenty of time to deliver success this season. Gray's 12-year stay at Easter Road came to an end on Wednesday, with Hibs on a run of three successive Scottish Premiership defeats and ninth in the table after six games. "It's been a tough week for everyone," said 33-year-old midfielder Newell, who was a team-mate of Gray's when he signed in 2019 and who was made skipper when the former boss took charge.
"There's an element of blame for all of us. He always took responsibility, always protected his players, which I thought was noble and kind of summed him up as a man. "Football moves on quickly, but I think it's important everyone at the club remembers him for what he's done - and I'm sure they will.
He's not just a living legend. He'll go down in history." Gray captained Hibs to Scottish Cup glory in 2016, famously scoring a stoppage-time winner against Rangers in the final at Hampden. As a rookie head coach, he led the Edinburgh side to third and fifth-place finishes.
"His time in charge of the club was a massive success," Newell said. "The more time goes on, the more people will appreciate that. "From the place we were in to where we went under Dave is something he should be proud of.
"We've had some amazing memories over the last couple of years and some really good achievements." Painful endgame for Gray as stale Hibs slump Gray sacked by Hibs after six league games Hibs face Aberdeen on Saturday hoping to avoid what would be a club record of seven successive home league defeats. "The main thing is the reaction, to try and get back on winning terms with a performance the fans can get behind," Newell said. Hibs will meet city rivals Heart of Midlothian in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals on 1 November and Newell is sure this campaign can be a fruitful one.
"All we can do as players is buy into whoever is in charge," he added. "There's no crisis in terms of saving the season. We are in a position where we can turn it round quickly.
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