David Gray makes next Hibs manager pitch as interim boss concedes he's not 'shying away' from permanent gig

David Gray insists he is ready to ditch his caretaker jacket and become Hibs manager for real.

The 2016 Scottish Cup Final hero is in his fourth spell as interim following Nick Montgomery’s sacking on Tuesday. And the 36-year-old, who steadied the ship after Jack Ross, Shaun Maloney and Lee Johnson were all binned over the past three years, says the experience he has built has convinced him he can do the job permanently. Gray led the Hibees to a 3-0 win over Motherwell in his first game in charge on Wednesday and will again be in the dug out for the final game of the season at Livingston.

His record over four interim spells now reads played 11, won five, drawn two and lost four - with two of those defeats coming in a League Cup Final against Celtic and a European tie away to Aston Villa. He's delivered two wins from two in the Premiership this season. And Gray said: “I’m so respectful and don’t think it’s right to talk about me because I’ve worked with previous managers and people who have just lost a job.

“But I do also think there comes a point where the job I’m doing at the moment - I’m not saying I feel comfortable doing it because of the situation - but I’m not shying away from it. I believe I can do it. I’ve demonstrated I can. Ultimately it’s what the club want to do moving forward. If they feel I’m ready to do it and they want me to do it then that’s a decision they can make.

“Until that day comes I will continue to do the best for this club every single day. I will always back myself, given the opportunity. I’ve been in this position four times and it’s been uncomfortable for a number of reasons, because first and foremost, people have been losing their jobs. But in terms of backing my ability to do the job,