David Gray rejects Hibs crisis claim boss as he sends players salary reminder ahead of basement derby clash

David Gray insists there's no crisis at rock bottom Hibs ahead of Sunday's basement battle derby showdown with Hearts. But he has reminded his players they are paid to win football matches - not just play the game.

The Easter Road boss knows dumping the Jambos in his first capital clash as manager would go a long way to lifting the gloom setting in around Easter Road with his side rooted to the bottom on goal difference behind their arch rivals. But he is adamant there's no panic in the ranks - and insists a win this weekend will quickly turn the narrative.

Hibs have won just one of their eight league games and have lost three on the spin - imploding spectacularly after red cards in the last two. Gray said: “No, it's not a crisis. I think it needs to be better. I think we all know that. As I've said to the players, we're not looking for excuses. We're not using the fact that we went down to 10 men in the last two games as an excuse for not getting results.

"Is it a factor? Of course it is. I think momentum in games, there's all sorts of things that go that way against you at times but we also know what's in the group, we also know how good we can be when we do get it right and I've still got that firm belief in everybody involved that we will turn it round.

“I feel it on Monday when we came back in here, people are hurting straight away because they know we can be doing better in terms of results. We're being judged on results, which is rightly so, that's what you get paid to do. Being a football player, you don't just get paid to play football, I don't just get paid to coach the team, I get paid to win games of football. That is the ultimate challenge that faces us as players and staff. And I think we all know that and