David Gray had to go after horror run of form, insists Hibs chief Gordon

Hibs chairman Ian Gordon insists the Easter Road outfit had to get rid of club legend David Gray thanks to a horror run of form that has seen them lose four of their first six Premiership fixtures.

Gordon sacked the 38-year-old on Wednesday after watching the Leith side go down 1-0 to relegation strugglers Kilmarnock on Tuesday night and lose a sixth straight home league game for the first time since 1920.

The Easter Road supremo claimed Gray would be sorely missed after ending his 12-year association with the club and sending him packing along with assistant Liam Craig and goalkeeping coach Craig Samson.

He also offered thanks for a two-year spell as boss which saw the former club captain secure a top-three finish in his first season before making it back-to-back European qualifications with a fifth-place finish last term, although he was unable to secure Conference League main-phase football on either occasion after defeats to Legia Warsaw and Gent in the play-offs.

Gordon will now draw up a list of candidates with former Celtic coach John Kennedy, now No2 to Brendan Rodgers at Saudi side Al-Qadsiah, long admired in the boardroom, and one-time target and ex-Malmo and Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson available.

Former Hibs midfielder Marvin Bartley is doing well at Championship side Stenhousemuir while ambitious options might include ex-player and Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, Manchester United Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher, Brentford assistant Damien Duff or former Scotland gaffer Steve Clarke.

Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon also enjoyed a spell at the helm between 2016 and 2019 and former midfielder Scott Brown is looking for work after leaving Ayr United.

‘Firstly, I would like to thank Dave for everything he has done for the football club, as a player, coach and most recently head coach,’ Gordon told the Hibs website.

‘Dave has been an inspirational figure at the club during his time here, and he has been a true friend and fantastic colleague to so many at the football club. On behalf of my family, I would like to personally thank him for everything he has done for us since we joined the club.

‘As a person, he constantly set the standard with his attitude, professionalism and general work ethic and he will be sorely missed around the building by all the players and staff at the football club.

‘On the pitch, he has delivered some incredible moments for our fans, and brought a level of stability and consistency that we haven’t reached in recent years.

‘Ultimately, this is a decision that we have not taken lightly, but unfortunately, one as a board we had to make due to the recent downturn of results and performances.

‘We wish Dave, Liam Craig and Craig Samson all the best for the future and thank them for their commitment and effort during their time with the club. They will always be welcome back to Easter Road.’