Gray sets European targets as Hibs reveal 50 wanted manager role

Malky Mackay says Hibernian received "50 credible candidates" for their head coach vacancy - but he knew 15 minutes before the end of his final interview that David Gray was the man for the job.

The Scottish Premiership club's new sporting director suggests that Gray - as a former player, captain and caretaker manager - is "someone who has an understanding of the whole fabric of the club".

Gray was given the job permanently after ending the season in his fourth spell as interim head coach following the departure of Nick Montgomery.

"There were at least 50 credible candidates that we had to at least look at the CV," Mackay said. "We took that down to 20 and then to 10 then five then three and the final two.

"So there was a fairly robust process. David's final interview was two-and-a-half hours long. By the end of it, actually with 15 minutes to go, in my head I thought he's nailed this."

Mackay had most recently been Ross County manager but was comfortable in the role of helping to choose Hibs' new head coach.

"I did four years with the Scottish FA in a very similar role," he said. "It is something that stands me in good stead for this job.

"I've seen that people want to work for David Gray, which is a great starting point. There's a lot of good people here who just needed direction."

Gray, meanwhile, does not fear tarnishing his club legend status garnered by captaining the club to a Scottish Cup final victory should his time as team boss turn sour.

"The reputation that goes before me was as a football player - that's gone," he said. "But I fully understand the demands of the football club - the expectations. It needs to be doing better."

Gray said Hibs' goal for every season should be to "try to win a trophy and finish in a European position".

The 36-year-old former right-back believes he is better suited now to accepting the job than when he first became caretaker.

"I think the progression I've had in the three years since then, everything was geared up to this moment," he said.

"Now I'm in a position where I wanted to apply for the job. I firmly believe I can make a difference here.

"There were no need for introductions with me. I know everyone in the building. I know their strengths, I know their weaknesses."