Martindale praises Hibs' show of faith

DAVID MARTINDALE reckons Hibs’ decision to stand by David Gray has benefited managers across the entire country ~ by reversing the trend for hiring and firing.

- FRASER WILSON

The Livingston boss, below, has been hugely impressed by the job done by Gray in Leith.

Yet late last November the 37-year-old looked a cert for the bullet with Hibs bottom of the Premiership table having won just one of their opening 16 league games.

Easter Road chiefs had sacked four managers in the previous three years but decided to stick with the club legend.

And they were rewarded with a remarkable run to a third-place finish which saw Hibs break a club record by going 16 games unbeaten.

Martindale, whose side face Hibs in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup last-16 clash, said: “I was delighted Hibs stuck by David Gray and it worked out the way it has.