The decision to sack Nick Montgomery was sprung on David Gray about 20 minutes before the rest of the world was told about a fourth managerial dismissal in less than two-and-a-half years. You could forgive the Scottish Cup-winning captain and regular interim gaffer - now on his fourth tour of duty as stand-in - for feeling a little shell-shocked by developments. Even if the routine is getting familiar to him, by now.
Gray took training this morning, helped by academy coach and former team-mate Darren McGregor, before gathering players in the auditorium at East Mains for a brief meeting. The aspiring coach has not, it’s fair to say, been given a great deal of time to tinker with the game plan already in place for tomorrow night’s visit of Motherwell.
It’s fair to assume that Montgomery was considering making at least a couple of changes to the team so comprehensively defeated by Aberdeen at Easter Road on Sunday. But it’s not as if the players have been working on a new blueprint for a full week. So does Gray stick with those changes?
Here’s an educated guess at how Hibs are likely to line up under the guidance of ‘Sir’ David:
1. GK Jojo Wollacott
With David Marshall still struggling with an injury, the Ghana international is the first choice back-up.
2. RB Chris Cadden
Arguably the most reliable performer in a consistently unreliable team. Photo: Paul Devlin - SNS Group
3. CB Rocky Bushiri
Eager to make amends after confessing to feeling 'guilty' over dismal defeat to Dons.
