David Gray insists it would have been wrong of Rangers to lock visiting fans out of Ibrox - as Hibs labelled the delay in receiving their briefs “frustrating”. The Easter Road club appealed to the SPFL last week after it emerged Rangers were unable to guarantee away fans briefs due to the delay in reopening the Copland Road stand after works.
The saga only ended yesterday afternoon - less than 72 hours before kick off - when Hibs took delivery of 932 tickets after Rangers confirmed the stadium would be back to full capacity. In a statement Hibs thanked their fans “for their patience during this frustrating time”. And Gray, hoping to mastermind a first win over Gers in 10 attempts, insists “it’s only right” they a small band of punters on their side in Govan.
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He said: “From the fans' point of view, I fully understand it would be really frustrating and difficult. These fans pay a lot of money every single week to follow us home and away.
“The experiences I've had as a player, being fortunate enough to win there and celebrating with your fans and the opportunity to reward your fans - I think it's only right that they should get the opportunity to go to games.
“In an ideal world, you'd like to know as much information as early as possible. As a supporter, you need to make arrangements. It's not as if you're just walking along the road. It costs a lot of money as well to support a football team. So they're the challenges that they'll always face. But the club's been working extremely hard to try to get a solution quickly.”
Gray could be forgiven for allowing his mind to wander back exactly 10 years when he walks into Ibrox on Sunday. That date in 2014 marked his first ever career goal - in a 3-1 win for Hibs in Govan. A similar result would be a real statement for the Hibees. And Gray - who could hand a debut to Dwight Gayle but has doubts over the fitness of captain Joe Newell and Martin Boyle - says his players will head to Glasgow with respect but no fear.
He said: “You can't have fear. There's a difference between fearing and respecting. You have to go there with respect, 100 percent. They're a top team. But you shouldn't be scared to go and express yourself. You need to stand up to it and test yourself against the best players. And I think that's what should bring the best out the players.
"I was reminded it was 10 years ago to the day when I scored my first goal which seems longer now. But it's memories that will live with me forever. Playing for a club like Hibs in this league you get opportunities to play in big stadiums and big atmospheres. And the fans are a big part of that. They really drive it.
“The intensity at Ibrox Is something that some of the players going there for the first time need to be ready for because it's similar when you go to Celtic Park and Tynecastle. You need to go there and put on a performance. But you need to deal with 50,000 Rangers supporters as well.
“But it's a great occasion If you can really stand up to it and put a good account of yourself to it.”
