Scott Brown pays tribute to David Gray as Hibs hero prepares for Easter Road testimonial

Scott Brown reckons David Gray’s Scottish Cup final heroics has ensured he has a home for life in Edinburgh ahead of the defender’s testimonial this weekend.

David Gray presents Scott Brown with a gift on his last Celtic appearence, which came against Hibs at Easter Road on May 2021. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Gray, 35, scored one of the most iconic goals in Hibs history in 2016, as his stoppage time header against Rangers ended the club’s 114-year wait for a win in the competition.

Gray and Brown will feature in a Hibernian XI set to take on a Manchester United XI this Sunday, as some familiar faces return to Easter Road in a celebration of Gray’s nine-year association with the club.

The full-back has already enjoyed a special dinner in his name and Brown feels there is no-one more deserving of a big send-off.

“It’s a huge honour to be a part of Dave's testimonial for what he’s done for the club,” said Brown. “To win the Scottish Cup after so many years, it must mean the world to him and hopefully we’ll see a good turnout from the Hibs fans to repay the loyalty he's given to the club.

“I think he and his family are settled up here. They are happy in Edinburgh, and I think he’s made it his home now. I think after he retires from whatever he does, he’ll stay in Edinburgh as that's part of him now and the club is a huge part of him too.”

Gray made 177 appearances for the club and since hanging up his boots has been appointed caretaker manager on three separate occasions.

He will return to the pitch for a swansong alongside the likes of Steven Whittaker, Efe Ambrose and Grant Holt, and Brown reckons they will relish getting stuck into a few final challenges.

“Dave was one of these guys, kind of like me, that probably knew it was a 50/50 but left it until it was a 40/60 in the other’s favour to tackle a little bit harder,” said Brown.

“I’ve played golf with him a few times and been in his company quite a lot, he’s an honest lad and he did a fantastic job playing for Hibs for so long.

“He’s quite easy going, quite relaxed, but he’s just as aggressive on the golf course as he was playing football – he drives the ball a mile.

“When he played he wanted to win, just like myself. He had that skinhead, I had that skinhead, and the two of us wanted the best for our football club’s when he played.”

And after recovering from 2-0 down to claim a draw against Hearts in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle Park last weekend, Brown hopes the occasion will bring extra cheer to the Hibs faithful.

“I’m looking forward to it, I've seen a few of the lads on Instagram doing all sorts of runs and keeping fit,” added Brown. “With the likes of Darren Fletcher, Wes Brown and Danny Simpson playing for United, there are going to be a lot of good players.

“The pace of the game might be a little slower than what most fans are used to, but we’ll give it a go.”

Hibs XI take on a Manchester Utd XI on Sunday 15th October at Easter Road Stadium, 2pm kick off, to celebrate David Gray’s Testimonial year. Tickets for Hibs and United fans available via https://www.eticketing.co.uk/hibernianfc/Events