Hibs' David Gray hails the return of Dylan McGeouch

David Gray, believes Dylan McGeouchs return was a factor in the win over Raith Rovers. Picture: SNS.

The midfielder started his first game for two months on Saturday, as Hibs overcame a 1-0 deficit to clinch a 2-1 aggregate victory over Raith Rovers in the first of what they hope will be three play-off ties.

McGeouch’s energy was a factor in the win that secured a semi-final tie with Falkirk and proved he had recovered from a groin strain that saw him miss the majority of the league run-in. The injury also meant he had to sit out the League Cup final defeat to Ross County in March.

“You saw on Saturday what he brought to the game,” said Gray. “He’s a classy football player. He’s a great athlete and good on the ball and a calming figure in the middle of the pitch.

“And he adds another player that can play in the middle of midfield, and we’ve got a lot of strength in that position.

“It’s another selection headache for the manager, but that’s a good thing to have.Dylan’s maybe struggled with a few injuries in the past but he’s in a good place at the minute.

“Hopefully we can get the best out of him now.”

Gray is also enjoying playing in front of Conrad Logan, who has wrestled the goalkeeper jersey from Mark Oxley.

The Irishman looks set to play his fourth match in a row this evening when Hibs take on Falkirk at Easter Road in their first leg of their Premiership semi-final  play-off.

Logan has already proved he is the man for the big occasion by keeping a clean sheet in Hibs’ Scottish Cup semi-final win over Dundee United, before then saving two penalties in the shoot-out.

“He’s performances have been great since he came in and he had the fairytale debut,” said Gray.

“Since the first day he came in the door he’s just been one of the lads.

“He’s a really nice guy, he gets on with everybody and he obviously brings a lot of experience as well, which is good to have.

“It’s good for Ox that the two of them are battling for the one position. That can only be a good thing.”

“The squad now is as strong as it’s been all over the pitch,” he added.

“We have players coming back at the right time. Farid [El Alagui] is getting closer, everyone is.

“The manager is going to have a selection headache, which can only be a good thing, especially with the games coming around so quickly.”