David Gray has revealed how sacked Jack Ross has continued to play a role in Hibs cup final build-up - as his own sounding board.
The caretaker is desperate to deliver silverware for the Hibees against Celtic support tomorrow.
But he admits part of him wants to do it for Ross and John Potter who were axed just 10 days before they were due to lead Hibs out at the national stadium.
Gray said: “I have spoken to Jack throughout the whole process. I think he wants the club to win.
“He really wants the players to do well.
“Him and John were both so close to the players and the relationship he had with them.
“He knows it is about getting over the line and I’m sure that when he watches it he will be disappointed that he is not involved.
“But that’s football and we just have to react to that and move on and see where that takes us.”
Gray is in no doubt he owes Ross for handing him the opportunity to move into coaching.
Asked if an element of him wanted to win the Premier Sports Cup for his ex-boss, Gray continued: “Absolutely.
“I have spent a lot of time with him over the last two years and I’ve worked very closely with him over the last six months and something you don't stop doing.
“It is a relationship that we have built up over time and we will continue to do that because I have so much respect for him and I’m grateful to him for the opportunity he gave me six months ago.
“He is someone I really respect and he has always said to me that he would like to help me with the next stage of my career, which is why he gave me the opportunity and why he is someone I will definitely keep in touch with.”
For now though Gray is the man with the power at his fingertips as Hibs eye a first major trophy since his injury time header secured the Scottish Cup against Rangers in 2016.
He is under no illusion to how difficult the task is - even if Celtic are missing injured trio Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota and James Forrest.
But the 33-year-old is urging his side to leave nothing on the park as they look to make amends for their Scottish Cup Final flop against St Johnstone in May.
He said: “I think you've always got a point to prove. You are always being judged and people will have opinions of you all the time.
“As a professional that is just part and parcel of being a football player. You need to deal with that all the time and the message from me and all the staff will be that these opportunities don't come up all the time.
“It just shows how well we have done as a club when you see how many semis and cup finals we have got to.
“All that is missing is getting over that line but we have another opportunity to do that on Sunday.
"Celtic are a fantastic team and they have top, top players who have played at the highest level.
“We are under no illusions that it will be a very difficult game but it is about us believing in ourselves and believing we can go there and get a result.
“If you don’t believe we can do it then there is no point in turning up. I want us to go there and enjoy it, give it everything we’ve got and come away with no regrets.”
David Gray speaking at a Premier Sports Cup event. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player from £12.99 per month, and on Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription
