Derby point 'not disaster' as Hibs look for momentum

David Gray has overseen one victory in nine Scottish Premiership outings this season

Head coach David Gray remains frustrated by Sunday's derby draw with Heart of Midlothian but wants Hibernian to keep looking up after stopping a damaging run of three defeats.

Gray's struggling side sit at the foot of the Scottish Premiership with just six points from nine matches, behind their Edinburgh rivals on goal difference.

"Sometimes you need to hit rock bottom to start building again," Gray said.

"Yes, we're still bottom of the league, but we got a point in the derby and that's not a disaster at all. Did I want all three? Yes. But we need to quickly change that narrative and say it's something to build on after three defeats.

"We need to get points on the board quickly."

Reflecting on the game at Easter Road, Gray thought both teams played "with a fear not to lose" given their early season woes.

"It was a bit scrappy, there was a lack of quality," he said. "But every time we did show a bit of quality, we created chances, so that's a real positive.

"To lose the goal and drop points is a huge frustration, but there were questions asked after we got pegged back and the boys stood up to that."

Hearts levelled in the 87th minute and conceding late goals has become a recurring theme for Hibs.

Gray's side visit Ross County on Wednesday, having shipped late goals in a 2-1 defeat and a 2-2 draw in Dingwall last term.

"It seems we are always falling short at the last hurdle," midfielder Nectarios Triantis said. "We're trying our best to fix that.

"I think we created more than enough opportunities to win the game [against Hearts], but sometimes that's how the dice rolls and we just need to keep going."

Doyle-Hayes 'deserved' derby cameo

Meanwhile, Gray hopes Jake Doyle-Hayes has put “a difficult time” behind him after the midfielder made his first appearance in 14 months on Sunday.

The 25-year-old, who has been plagued by a series of setbacks following ankle surgery, appeared as an 83rd-minute substitute.

"He deserves it for how hard he's trained," Gray added. "I had no concerns about him coming on just because of the type of player he is, his temperament and the quality he's got.

"He's someone that adds real strength and depth. He's going to work as hard as he can to try and get in the team because there is a lot of competition in there as well."