'Josh won't be distracted by Premier League chat'

Hibs boss David Gray insists he has no concerns over Josh Mulligan having his head turned by Premier League interest.

- by John Greechan

And he's backed the former Dundee star to get even better after earning rave reviews in barely half a season at Easter Road.

Leeds United and Nottingham Forest have both reportedly added Mulligan to their list of January targets, although there has been no official contact with Hibs. The 23-year-old joined Hibs from Dundee as a free agent in the summer, with the clubs since agreeing terms on a development fee for a player who came through the academy ranks at Dens Park.

The former Scotland Under-21 regular, compared to all-time Hibs favourite John McGinn by Martin Boyle just last week, was also called up to the senior national team squad earlier this season. And Steve Clarke has challenged the versatile midfielder/wingback to become a leader at Easter Road.

Gray, asked how he deals with players when talk of big money moves starts swirling around them, said: "I think it is very much individualised. I think until there's something to talk about, you don't really need to do it either. I think if people are speaking well of you or highly of you, then you must be doing something right.

"Sometimes your job is to bring them back down to earth. But I've never had to do that, to be honest, with any of them here.