Hibs boss David Gray has his say on Celtic’s quality ahead of Easter Road meeting

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After three stints as a caretaker manager of Hibernian over three years, David Gray was finally given the permanent job this summer and faces one of his toughest tests to date at home to Celtic on Sunday.

Hibs got off to an awful Scottish Premiership start last week away to St Mirren, outclassed and humbled by a 3-0 margin in Paisley.

That’s in stark contrast to the way Celtic have started the season as reigning champions, playing with intent and danger on the ball as well as physicality and intensity off of it.

However, it must be noted that Brendan Rodgers’ side were far from sparkling at Easter Road last season, drawing 0-0 in one match and needing a stoppage-time penalty to come out victorious in the other.

A trip to the capital is often tricky, so Celtic can’t be complacent. And Gray is relishing testing his team against the best in Scotland.

David Gray on Celtic and Brendan Rodgers

He said in a pre-match press conference [Hibs Observer]: “It’s a tough test, but it’s an exciting test. Especially with new players coming in, there’s no better way to try and get a reaction and test yourself against the best team in the league last season.

“I fully expect them to be up there again for obvious reasons – the way they’ve started and the players they’ve got.

“It’s a proper test, a proper challenge. It should be one the players are excited by. I’m excited by it, testing myself against an elite manager who has managed at the highest level. But it’s also the occasion, I know how good Easter Road can be.

“If we can start the game properly, play the way we want, and affect the game positively, then the fans will get right behind us. It’s live on the TV, there’s no better way to right the wrongs of last week.”

Celtic can again show the progress from last season

Like the match against Kilmarnock – opponents who caused Celtic problems last term – the trip to Easter Road is a chance for Celtic to show the progress they’ve made under Rodgers.

A strong performance and result would be another demonstration that, despite recruitment issues, the manager is taking the players up a level through coaching and development.

As tough it would be on the early part of Gray’s management career, we all want to see Celtic punish Hibs and kick on strongly in the opening weeks of the season.