Hibernian

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Rookie boss David Gray is comfortable with the "heightened" pressure after a rocky start to his Hibs tenure.

The Easter Road side have taken one point from their opening three league games and were knocked out of the League Cup by Celtic.

"Every single football manager has pressure, it's heightened at the bigger clubs that you go to," said Gray.

"I knew that g for the club, I've been here 10 years - I know the expectations and the demands and it's not something that I've shied away from which is why I put myself forward to do the job.

"The pressure is always there and that's part of being a professional and thinking you can be the best you can be, you need to deliver on these things and it's my responsibility to get the results right.

"I've been really pleased with what I'm seeing and the progression we are doing, but it doesn't count for anything on a training pitch unless you can convert that on to the pitch."

As Friday's 23:00 BST transfer deadline edges closer, where do Hibs still need to strengthen and what deals would you like completed before the window closes?

Have your say here, external.

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Hibs head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media before the Premiership game with Kilmarnock this weekend.

Here are the main points from the press conference:

• Gray wouldn't comment on reports Hibs have had bids rejected for Dundee skipper Luke McCowan but says the club are "being as active as possible" in the search for gs.

• If no further arrivals materialise, Gray is "delighted" with the business done and says there is "competition for places".

• On outgoings, he says Hibs have "a lot of very good players that will attract attention".

• After a winless start in the league, he knows "results need to get better" but is delighted with the progress the group are making.

• Mentioned the expectations and demands that come with managing at a big club and says "the pressure is always there and if results aren't good enough then that falls on me".

• On Kilmarnock playing in Europe he says "you want the Scottish clubs to do well" and Sunday will be a "tough game".

• Gray praised Junior Hoilett for his experience, Kieron Bowie for his youthful energy and desire to be the best he can be, and Joe Newell for driving the standard and says "it’s about putting it all together to get that formula right".

Scotland Under-21 head coach Gemmill is "delighted" for Kieron Bowie following the forward's recent move to Hibernian. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

After a sloppy start on Saturday it looked like the Hibs defence, which has rightly been the subject of stern criticism, was going to finally do its job and remain intact.

Then with just a few minutes left they switch off and allow a potent striker like Simon Murray time and space to snatch a draw for Dundee.

Same old story and it’s becoming way too predictable for the Easter Road fans.

With two new centre-backs and a new goalkeeper in place, some leeway can be afforded but as we now approach the end of August and the first international break of the campaign, any honeymoon period is now over.

Already out of the League Cup, David Gray and his players can solely concentrate on the Premiership and have three matches in September to make their mark.

First up is a trip this weekend to Kilmarnock, who have a very tricky Conference League match to negotiate on Thursday against Copenhagen.

Then it’s St Johnstone at home before Rangers away at the end of the month. It may be difficult to get some continuity given the two-week gap between matches but they only have themselves to blame due to the League Cup exit and no European football this season.

Winning is not an easy task in the ultra-competitive Premiership, but it’s something the team must get back to doing quickly to avoid another hapless campaign.

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It has now been 19 years since Ivan Sproule came off the visiting bench to score an incredible 23-minute hat-trick in a 3-0 Hibs win at Ibrox.

With the game at 0-0, the Northern Ireland winger used his blistering pace against a tiring Rangers side that had qualified for the Champions League just days before.

After coming on in the 63rd minute, Sproule went on to bury three devastating finishes to stun the home crowd and send the pocket of travelling Hibs fans wild.

The first finish was lobbed over the onrushing Ronald Waterreus before two superb Scott Brown assists set the forward up to slot in a second and third.