Gray Pleased With Netherlands Training Camp

David Gray was pleased with his players’ application and effort as he looked back on the pre-season training camp in the Netherlands.

Gray’s 24-man squad spent eight days in Holland playing two games and doing triple sessions most days.

Earlier today (Monday 8 July), and after the final training session before the flight home, Gray say down with Hibs TV to give fans an insight into the camp. 

“It’s gone very well,” he smiled. “I’m really pleased with the players’ application and effort, and the amount of work we managed to do on the training pitch.

“We could see what we were working on in training come into games, which was very pleasing.

“The integration of the new players has been great. All in all, I couldn’t ask for anymore.

“The facilities have been brilliant here, two very good pitches, the hotel was good, the food was good, so no complaints at all.

“It was good to get the opportunity to get everyone together, so they could really understand how I see it moving forward and what I expect from them. I think that was good.

“All the new staff came together and gelled with the staff who were already here. This camp has put us in a good position and now full focus turns to Elgin.”

Hibs beat Greek champions PAOK and German side MSV Duisburg both 1-0 during the stay in the Netherlands, and put in two very different performances.

Gray talked supporters through the game plans and the importance of introducing them prior to the start of competitive football.

“PAOK was always going to be a difficult test and the conditions didn’t help that. I knew it would be a completely different challenge to the first game against MSV Duisburg.

“The main preparation and focus was the different shape, which is going to be important this season. I’ve talked a lot about being adaptable, so to have an opportunity to play against a top team and focus on us without the ball was important.

“The main preparation and focus was the different shape, which is going to be important this season. I’ve talked a lot about being adaptable, so to have an opportunity to play against a top team and focus on us without the ball was important.

“We also discussed how we wanted to play out and then give the ball, so we had that composure, confidence and belief with the ball. It was a really good exercise for us.

“The first game had a greater focus on reaction to losing the ball and playing with a quick tempo and intensity, in a different way and a different formation.

“In both games, the vital thing at the moment is minutes into the legs safely.”