'No ultimatum' for Gray after Hibs' board backing

Gray has only won once in the league since becoming Hibs head coach over the summer

David Gray has not been set any targets after the Hibernian board felt it necessary to issue a statement in support of the head coach.

The team were booed off following a 2-1 home defeat by St Mirren, which leaves them at the foot of the Premiership with a meagre eight points from 12 matches.

Gray, 36, takes Hibs to Dundee on Saturday seeking just a second league victory.

A brief statement released on 11 November stressed the board's backing for Gray and his staff, while adding "all departments are under pressure to deliver".

Asked if any short-term goals had been part of his discussions with sporting director Malky Mackay, Gray replied: "No, it's just what the statement clearly says, which is they're continuing to support me.

"No ultimatum so to speak. It was pretty self-explanatory for me, which is you need to start winning quickly. We know that, I'm well aware of that.

"It's not a case of one game, two games, three games, how many points it could be over the course of that.

"They've said they'll give me time and they've been true to their word.

"I understand the points return for the number of games we've had for me as a manager is not good enough, so we've been consistent with that, but also been consistent in saying that it needs to turn - and it needs to turn quickly."

A win for Hibs at Dens Park would lift the visitors to within a point of seventh-placed Dundee, who struck late for a 2-2 draw at Easter Road in late August.

"I take a lot of belief from how quickly things can change," said Gray. "We've got three games in the next week. I know the need for points is massive and I'm not looking past the Dundee game."

Gray, who has been with Hibs since signing as a player in 2014, said "you have to push it away" when asked about dealing with the negativity surrounding such a bad start to his managerial career.

"As a head coach, it's not always directly my fault for something but it's 100% my responsibility," he said. "So, whatever way we go around that, there's no point in pointing fingers and blaming other people. I look at myself first and foremost.

"We talk about accountability, looking at yourself, asking 'can you do more?'

"We stick together through times of adversity, no feeling sorry for yourself. It's not going to change by doing that.

"I've been here a long time. I understand the expectation, I've said that numerous times, the demands. And even if we were to win the next couple of games, that pressure and demand doesn't go away."