Gray & McGregor

[Hibees1973]

One of the few guarantees in squad selection each week is that this pair are always on the bench.

Why are they deemed not good enough to start or even replace an ineffectual player. They could have justifiably replaced McGinn/Hanlon/Porteous today. Gray or McGregor only seem to replace a player if one gets injured during a game.

So if they are not good enough to start or be a substitute in an attempt to improve the team what is the point in them being on the bench. It’s like having 3 goalkeepers on the bench.

in no way do I disrespect Gray or McGregor, they are club legends. It just baffles me why they are on the bench every week but not deemed good enough to play. I know the squad is small. But this highlights why we should be using all the players in the first team squad we have.

If Gray and McGregor are seemingly not good enough they should be moved on.

It just one of the many strange things that is going on at the moment.

[Allant1981]

After today's performance we are surely looking at CH, hanlon and porteous just not good enough at the moment

[calumhibee1]

You’d have thought with the amount of games recently there would have been a need to have at least McGregor in for one or two games

[Cod Boy]

One of the few guarantees in squad selection each week is that this pair are always on the bench.

Why are they deemed not good enough to start or even replace an ineffectual player. They could have justifiably replaced McGinn/Hanlon/Porteous today. Gray or McGregor only seem to replace a player if one gets injured during a game.



So if they are not good enough to start or be a substitute in an attempt to improve the team what is the point in them being on the bench. It’s like having 3 goalkeepers on the bench.

in no way do I disrespect Gray or McGregor, they are club legends. It just baffles me why they are on the bench every week but not deemed good enough to play. I know the squad is small. But this highlights why we should be using all the players in the first team squad we have.

If Gray and McGregor are seemingly not good enough they should be moved on.

It just one of the many strange things that is going on at the moment.


Been thinking the exact same myself it’s like having 2 fans on bench never get on.

[loanheadhibby]

I’d have them both back in the team. They deserve a chance. Although can’t see Jack Ross dropping McGinn for Gray.

And if they are not in his thoughts, get the 2 of them away on loan and use the funds to get others who can push for start.

[Centre Hawf]

Asked similar in the match day thread. We are crying out for the forward drive Gray offered us previously. If he isn't capable of playing then we need to go get a new right back that is actually good going forward. We have a half decent young laddie in Doig on the left then zero threat from the right except for Boyle who at the moment is woefully out of form.

[S4uzee]

Asked similar in the match day thread. We are crying out for the forward drive Gray offered us previously. If he isn't capable of playing then we need to go get a new right back that is actually good going forward. We have a half decent young laddie in Doig on the left then zero threat from the right except for Boyle who at the moment is woefully out of form.

Marciano

Gray
Porteous
McGregor
Hanlon
Doig

Magennis
Newell

Murphy

Boyle
Nisbet/Doidge

3-5-2

[Ozyhibby]

It’s lucky Hibs are so loaded we can pay a couple of fans to sit on our bench every week.[emoji849]


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[MWHIBBIES]

It's a while since they've been good enough to start. A nice send off if they refused immediate coaching roles was the way to go.

[Brightside]

Release them if we can.

[the tornadoe]

The 2 of them were " kept on " to be used as a tool to instill a certain mentality within the squad as they were seen to be born leaders and an example if what Hibs expects of our players. Full of passion, run through a brick wall, hate to lose and able to play a bit as well... doesn't seem to be working !

[Carheenlea]

It pretty much hits home the perils of operating a small squad. Great when we are on a decent run of form, but too many know they have little threat to their starting place and we are always going to be a few injuries away from being stretched. Gray and McGregor being on the bench with their best days behind them is evidence of the lack of quality and real competition for places.

[LeithMike]

It’s lucky Hibs are so loaded we can pay a couple of fans to sit on our bench every week.[emoji849]


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThey must be on seriously reduced pay though and that would have been one of the things that made longer-term contracts work for both the players and the club.

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[h1bs4life]

Asked similar in the match day thread. We are crying out for the forward drive Gray offered us previously. If he isn't capable of playing then we need to go get a new right back that is actually good going forward. We have a half decent young laddie in Doig on the left then zero threat from the right except for Boyle who at the moment is woefully out of form.

If both Gray and McGregor were fit enough sure they would be near enough 1st picks , Gray's style of play and injuries have caught up with him while the sands of time have caught up with McGregor both are the type of players we are missing.
Contracts were signed before COVID if it's possible time to move them on with Hanlon and Stevenson.

[MWHIBBIES]

If both Gray and McGregor were fit enough sure they would be near enough 1st picks , Gray's style of play and injuries have caught up with him while the sands of time have caught up with McGregor both are the type of players we are missing.
Contracts were signed before COVID if it's possible time to move them on with Hanlon and Stevenson.

McGregor hasn't been better than Hanlon at any point they've both been here. Nothing to do with injury. Hanlon has always been alongside or ahead of him.

[h1bs4life]

McGregor hasn't been better than Hanlon at any point they've both been here. Nothing to do with injury. Hanlon has always been alongside or ahead of him.


It's a matter opinion nobody mentioned who was better , all 4 are Scottish Cup winning legends but have had there time and it's time to move them on .

[MWHIBBIES]

It's a matter opinion nobody mentioned who was better , all 4 are Scottish Cup winning legends but have had there time and it's time to move them on .
Three of them need to go. One has been really good this season apart from the last week.

[Centre Hawf]

Stevenson and Hanlon are clearly still capable of playing at this level. Hanlon especially has been good this season but was poor this past week. Stevenson is nearing the end of his career and the transition to a Doig or Mackie is clearly starting but he's still of tremendous use to the squad. We just need to stop chopping and changing the LB's so often.

The same can't be said for the other two sadly.

[WhileTheChief..]

I’d have a fit McGregor in front of Hanlon every time.

By far the better player.

[MWHIBBIES]

I’d have a fit McGregor in front of Hanlon every time.

By far the better player.

4 managers have always picked Hanlon. I love McGregor but Hanlon is much better. As footballers there's no contest. McGregor obviously the more aggressive and wins a few more headers but we'll behind Paul in other areas.

[Since90+2]

Around the time when we won the Scottish cup McGregor was probably at his peak and for me that version of him was better than any version of Paul Hanlon.

Hanlon has been around longer and has been more consistent whereas Darren has a few more miles on the clock and bad injuries caught up with him.

For me peak v peak McGregor is better but got overall consistency over the years it's Hanlon.

[MWHIBBIES]

Around the time when we won the Scottish cup McGregor was probably at his peak and for me that version of him was better than any version of Paul Hanlon.

Hanlon has been around longer and has been more consistent whereas Darren has a few more miles on the clock and bad injuries caught up with him.

For me peak v peak McGregor is better but got overall consistency over the years it's Hanlon.

In the cup final he lost miller twice, once a goal, other hit the bar.

His peak imo was his run in the side in the second half of our first season back up. He was excellent in the back 3 with Efe and Paul doing his passing and him being able to do the basics. Paul is far more complete.

[WhileTheChief..]

4 managers have always picked Hanlon. I love McGregor but Hanlon is much better. As footballers there's no contest. McGregor obviously the more aggressive and wins a few more headers but we'll behind Paul in other areas.

McGregor is to me what being a Hibs player is all about, he’s real captain material.

I also like both of them but think their time is up with us. We need to move on.

[Keyser Sauzee]

In the cup final he lost miller twice, once a goal, other hit the bar.

His peak imo was his run in the side in the second half of our first season back up. He was excellent in the back 3 with Efe and Paul doing his passing and him being able to do the basics. Paul is far more complete.

Being a pedant here but it was Stevenson that lost Miller for the header that hit the bar, McGregor was marking Wilson.

[EI255]

Ryan Porteous is our weak link. Get him TF!!!

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[J-C]

Ryan Porteous is our weak link. Get him TF!!!

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You've been over most threads slagging off every defender at every opportunity, do you even support Hibs?

[EI255]

You've been over most threads slagging off every defender at every opportunity, do you even support Hibs?Watch him and learn.

He is AWFUL

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[J-C]

Watch him and learn.

He is AWFUL

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That's not what I asked, I've just been reading 3-4 threads and you've slagged off Hanlon, Stevenson and Porteous, I'm just waiting for a Paul McGinn slagging and you'll have done the whole back 4, do you actually support Hibs?

[GreenProfessor]

Being a pedant here but it was Stevenson that lost Miller for the header that hit the bar, McGregor was marking Wilson.

Sorry...but you’re both wrong. Watch the Time for Heroes DVD again...it was David Gray who lost Miller for the header off the bar, he confirmed it on the DVD...

[The Harp Awakes]

They must be on seriously reduced pay though and that would have been one of the things that made longer-term contracts work for both the players and the club.

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Yep, I understand they are on a relatively low basic wage which is heavily weighted by appearances.

[hibbysam]

Sorry...but you’re both wrong. Watch the Time for Heroes DVD again...it was David Gray who lost Miller for the header off the bar, he confirmed it on the DVD...

Daft argument but was 100% Stevenson, hence why he had his head in his hands before Miller even headed the ball. FWIW Lewis is done, Hanlon should be in and around the team but not an automatic starter, Daz and Gray are finished as well. Gray came on against Celtic and his rashness sold the jerseys as he has done often. A lot of work needed to our back 4, and Rocky back in ASAP.

[Ozyhibby]

Yep, I understand they are on a relatively low basic wage which is heavily weighted by appearances.

There is no way of knowing that. One thing for sure, we are not getting value for money employing two players who can’t play no matter how bad things are going.


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[Allant1981]

There is no way of knowing that. One thing for sure, we are not getting value for money employing two players who can’t play no matter how bad things are going.


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Both are fit and ready to play if required, they can't help not being picked

[Since90+2]

There is no way of knowing that. One thing for sure, we are not getting value for money employing two players who can’t play no matter how bad things are going.


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They can play but Ross is choosing not to. Where are you getting they can't play from?

[jeffers]

Both are fit and ready to play if required, they can't help not being picked

Exactly and some of the criticism of the two of them is totally unnecessary IMO and comments about the length of their contracts without knowing the details out of order. It doesn’t matter if they are contracted beyond this season IMO all that I believe should be debated is whether they should have a playing contract for this season and I certainly would have given each of them a deal. What happens next season is another matter.

Until the last few games Porteous and Hanlon along with Paul McGinn have been playing well, Jack Ross has rightly played them with SDG and Daz on the bench to be brought on as required, but in the main you don’t sub your defenders for tactical reasons so neither of them are getting on. I’m sure both of them accept that, although after yesterday’s performance both would have good cause for chapping on the managers door.

The fact is we need cover, both players are being used in that capacity just now.

[jeffers]

There is no way of knowing that. One thing for sure, we are not getting value for money employing two players who can’t play no matter how bad things are going.


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I’d argue a bigger waste of a wage is Stephen McGinn who I actually like as a player. A position we didn’t need cover in, who the manager appears to have signed more because he actually likes him as a person and he’s good to have around rather than because he has any intention in actually playing him regularly.

[J-C]

I’d argue a bigger waste of a wage is Stephen McGinn who I actually like as a player. A position we didn’t need cover in, who the manager appears to have signed more because he actually likes him as a person and he’s good to have around rather than because he has any intention in actually playing him regularly.


This is rather annoying, not a player we needed and many on here questioned at the time as to why he was signed, jobs for the boys is something you expect to see at Hearts and not Hibs.

[jeffers]

This is rather annoying, not a player we needed and many on here questioned at the time as to why he was signed, jobs for the boys is something you expect to see at Hearts and not Hibs.

Totally agree and like I say as I player I quite like him, but listening to his last interview he came across as delighted to have a contract but not overly fussed about actually playing.

[J-C]

Totally agree and like I say as I player I quite like him, but listening to his last interview he came across as delighted to have a contract but not overly fussed about actually playing.


If McGinn had all his badges as a coach and was signed as a player coach to act as cover, then I'd be happy enough for that but that isn't the case.

Re the Gray/McGregor deals, I was of the assumption that the longer deals was to allow them to integrate into the background side of the club by either going into coaching or ambassador roles, I think both have been doing their badges and their leadership skills were important for the squad.

[Brightside]

If McGinn had all his badges as a coach and was signed as a player coach to act as cover, then I'd be happy enough for that but that isn't the case.

Re the Gray/McGregor deals, I was of the assumption that the longer deals was to allow them to integrate into the background side of the club by either going into coaching or ambassador roles, I think both have been doing their badges and their leadership skills were important for the squad.

Who are they coaching? I’m never at HTC now so I’ve no idea what group they are involved in. We don’t have a dev team anymore so it must only be kids? If they aren’t going to play maybe it’s time to have them actively coaching from the sidelines? If we have no leaders on the pitch what’s stopping the leadership coming from 2 yards off the pitch?

[jeffers]

If McGinn had all his badges as a coach and was signed as a player coach to act as cover, then I'd be happy enough for that but that isn't the case.

Re the Gray/McGregor deals, I was of the assumption that the longer deals was to allow them to integrate into the background side of the club by either going into coaching or ambassador roles, I think both have been doing their badges and their leadership skills were important for the squad.

Re Gray/McGregor deals thats absolutely my understanding of their deals and how GC described them. Yet it constantly gets brought up as if their longer term deals impacts on this season. IMO it doesn’t, I’d have given both a playing contract for this season with the understanding that it may be more for cover than as regular starters. I don’t think either are finished but it’s not easy to come in with little game time and not be rusty. Every player I’ve ever heard talk about it says there is a huge difference between being fit and match fit.

[J-C]

Who are they coaching? I’m never at HTC now so I’ve no idea what group they are involved in. We don’t have a dev team anymore so it must only be kids? If they aren’t going to play maybe it’s time to have them actively coaching from the sidelines? If we have no leaders on the pitch what’s stopping the leadership coming from 2 yards off the pitch?


I think Covid has made things difficult right now, there are still youth teams at HTC as far as I'm aware but nearly all Dev players are out on loan due to no league, I don't know if Daz and Gray are doing their badges I heard they were, perhaps that's been suspended during these times. Maybe Ross doesn't want them to be doing that as it undermines his position, TBH I'd like to see a lot more animation from Ross instead of just standing there hands in pockets whispering to his assistant. Leadership comes from the top and I see very little from the sidelines.

[J-C]

Re Gray/McGregor deals thats absolutely my understanding of their deals and how GC described them. Yet it constantly gets brought up as if their longer term deals impacts on this season. IMO it doesn’t, I’d have given both a playing contract for this season with the understanding that it may be more for cover than as regular starters. I don’t think either are finished but it’s not easy to come in with little game time and not be rusty. Every player I’ve ever heard talk about it says there is a huge difference between being fit and match fit.


Also with no reserve league this year it means fringe players have no way of getting game time.

[Brightside]

I think Covid has made things difficult right now, there are still youth teams at HTC as far as I'm aware but nearly all Dev players are out on loan due to no league, I don't know if Daz and Gray are doing their badges I heard they were, perhaps that's been suspended during these times. Maybe Ross doesn't want them to be doing that as it undermines his position, TBH I'd like to see a lot more animation from Ross instead of just standing there hands in pockets whispering to his assistant. Leadership comes from the top and I see very little from the sidelines.

Badges are still going on for sure. Best time possible for them to do it as all the theory is being done remotely.

[J-C]

Badges are still going on for sure. Best time possible for them to do it as all the theory is being done remotely.


I didn't know how they did that, I think due to this years problems our squad is such that both are on the bench as a necessity, if it was a normal season then you might have found they'd be doing more coaching with kids and a couple of new signings were here to challenge for places.

[Not In The Know]

I’d have them both back in the team. They deserve a chance. Although can’t see Jack Ross dropping McGinn for Gray.

And if they are not in his thoughts, get the 2 of them away on loan and use the funds to get others who can push for start.

Mcginn and Mcgregor centre half. Gray RB and Doig LB.

Whole defence apart from Mcginn need dropped.

[CentreLine]

It’s lucky Hibs are so loaded we can pay a couple of fans to sit on our bench every week.[emoji849]


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We are so light in the squad, due to a long list of injuries and having to cut the player budget due to covid losses, that we could only manage six subs on the bench for the Ross County game. If you can get yourself registered you’ll probably find yourself on the bench at some point this season. We had one suspension and eight first team squad players injured that night and we’re not a lot better off yet.

[superfurryhibby]

I’d argue a bigger waste of a wage is Stephen McGinn who I actually like as a player. A position we didn’t need cover in, who the manager appears to have signed more because he actually likes him as a person and he’s good to have around rather than because he has any intention in actually playing him regularly.


This is rather annoying, not a player we needed and many on here questioned at the time as to why he was signed, jobs for the boys is something you expect to see at Hearts and not Hibs.


It still baffles me, although when I mentioned this on another thread assessing Ross's signings it was shredded by one of our all knowing posters. Why Stephen McGinn was signed will remain an unanswered question for me.

Who knows if Gray and McGregor can still play at SPL level. If they can't then why are they even on the bench? TBF Gray is competing with McGinn, one of our better players this season. A fit McGregor is worth a start. Both Porteous and Hanlon seem prone to conceding simple goals, with Porto compounding this with rash passes, daft tackles and the like.

You wonder what else is going on. It's all a bit odd (like Ross's substitution policy).

[Smartie]

It still baffles me, although when I mentioned this on another thread assessing Ross's signings it was shredded by one of our all knowing posters. Why Stephen McGinn was signed will remain an unanswered question for me.

Who knows if Gray and McGregor can still play at SPL level. If they can't then why are they even on the bench? TBF Gray is competing with McGinn, one of our better players this season. A fit McGregor is worth a start. Both Porteous and Hanlon seem prone to conceding simple goals, with Porto compounding this with rash passes, daft tackles and the like.

You wonder what else is going on. It's all a bit odd (like Ross's substitution policy).

My issue with Stephen McGinn isn’t so much why he was signed - but why hasn’t he played more?

He’s actually looked pretty decent to me during his appearances late on in games.

[GreenProfessor]

Daft argument but was 100% Stevenson, hence why he had his head in his hands before Miller even headed the ball. FWIW Lewis is done, Hanlon should be in and around the team but not an automatic starter, Daz and Gray are finished as well. Gray came on against Celtic and his rashness sold the jerseys as he has done often. A lot of work needed to our back 4, and Rocky back in ASAP.

Have you actually watched Time for Heroes? Suggest you take a look and you’ll see David Gray talk about losing Kenny Miller for the header off the bar....I agree, it is a daft argument, especially when the facts are there for all too see on a DVD...

[bigwheel]

It still baffles me, although when I mentioned this on another thread assessing Ross's signings it was shredded by one of our all knowing posters. Why Stephen McGinn was signed will remain an unanswered question for me.

Who knows if Gray and McGregor can still play at SPL level. If they can't then why are they even on the bench? TBF Gray is competing with McGinn, one of our better players this season. A fit McGregor is worth a start. Both Porteous and Hanlon seem prone to conceding simple goals, with Porto compounding this with rash passes, daft tackles and the like.

You wonder what else is going on. It's all a bit odd (like Ross's substitution policy).

The reason S McGinn was signed is really simple. He is back up, likely a cheap option, there to make up the numbers and be used occasionally if needed.

I’m pretty sure he is also seen as good to have around the dressing room, may do some analysis work on opposing teams..

Was important for squad numbers, particularly when budget was restricted


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[hibee-boys]

Ryan Porteous is our weak link. Get him TF!!!

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That weak that he was called up into the Scotland squad. Up until the last week he was having a great season, yes he’s had a couple of errors but he’s strolled through just about every other game this season. Porteous is the least of our problems.

[superfurryhibby]

My issue with Stephen McGinn isn’t so much why he was signed - but why hasn’t he played more?

He’s actually looked pretty decent to me during his appearances late on in games.

Does anyone else agree with that? Maybe he should play more? I can’t say I’m very impressed by his contribution thus far.



The reason S McGinn was signed is really simple. He is back up, likely a cheap option, there to make up the numbers and be used occasionally if needed.

I’m pretty sure he is also seen as good to have around the dressing room, may do some analysis work on opposing teams..

Was important for squad numbers, particularly when budget was restricted


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We have Gray and McGregor for being good around the dressing room. I’m not sure what this really means? What about Stevenson, Hanlon, Boyle, PMcGinn, etc, etc. Are they all so weak minded they need the presence of a guy who rarely plays to buoy their spirits?

Good for squad numbers isn’t cutting it with me as a signing strategy. We need players who play, when you add Murphy and Magennis into that mix, it’s not that great.

[Keith_M]

We miss the drive of both of those players but there's nothing to suggest, from the last few times each has played, that they'd be an improvement on the current players.

SDG's passing the last few times he played was utterly woeful, and he left a massive gap on one side of the pitch for the opposition to attack while he was trying to drive the game forward.

[bigwheel]

Does anyone else agree with that? Maybe he should play more? I can’t say I’m very impressed by his contribution thus far.




We have Gray and McGregor for being good around the dressing room. I’m not sure what this really means? What about Stevenson, Hanlon, Boyle, PMcGinn, etc, etc. Are they all so weak minded they need the presence of a guy who rarely plays to buoy their spirits?

Good for squad numbers isn’t cutting it with me as a signing strategy. We need players who play, when you add Murphy and Magennis into that mix, it’s not that great.

We were short in midfield, he came in as backup for there...can’t see what’s unclear about it at all.....

We can debate whether it’s worked or not, but the decision to sign him is straight forward

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[Smartie]

Does anyone else agree with that? Maybe he should play more? I can’t say I’m very impressed by his contribution thus far.

I don’t necessarily think he’s the answer but he might be worthy of further opportunity.

He scored at Motherwell and put a lovely weighted pass through to Stevenson late in the game on Wednesday.

Mallan and Gogic both started yesterday and it really didn’t work. It “hasn’t worked” with either or both of those 2 in a good few attempts.

I stress - I don’t think he’s the answer but in a season where we’re toiling in midfield and our squad is stretched, I’m at the point where he might just be worth a shout.

[B.H.F.C]

We have Gray and McGregor for being good around the dressing room. I’m not sure what this really means? What about Stevenson, Hanlon, Boyle, PMcGinn, etc, etc. Are they all so weak minded they need the presence of a guy who rarely plays to buoy their spirits?

Good for squad numbers isn’t cutting it with me as a signing strategy. We need players who play, when you add Murphy and Magennis into that mix, it’s not that great.

Totally agree. The combined money for Gray, McGregor and McGinn would be much better spent on one player that we actually see on the pitch from time to time. I know McGinn does manage that now and again but he’s not going to make any kind of proper contribution.

Love Gray and McGregor and it’s not their fault they are in the position they are but it’s three players in our squad every week who simply aren’t going to contribute. And if they do get in at any point they’re going to be so far off the pace. Remember a home game, not long before the original lockdown, where Gray had an absolute disaster and was hooked at half time. Neither of them have played any kind of regular football for far too long now.

[superfurryhibby]

We were short in midfield, he came in as backup for there...can’t see what’s unclear about it at all.....

We can debate whether it’s worked or not, but the decision to sign him is straight forward

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So we can drop the stuff you posted about being good in the dressing room etc and just focus on his playing contribution then?

I understand the part about being short in midfield and a player being signed as back up. However, given he trained with us for weeks prior to signing I remain baffled by why Ross thought he could contribute and why he was given a year long contract. When the **** hits the fan, like it is now, that is when you start looking at errors of judgement.

I would add Murphy and Magennis to the list of questionable signings, although this starts moving away from Gray and McGregor at increasingly tangential tangents.

[bigwheel]

So we can drop the stuff you posted about being good in the dressing room etc and just focus on his playing contribution then?

I understand the part about being short in midfield and a player being signed as back up. However, given he trained with us for weeks prior to signing I remain baffled by why Ross thought he could contribute and why he was given a year long contract. When the **** hits the fan, like it is now, that is when you start looking at errors of judgement.

I would add Murphy and Magennis to the list of questionable signings, although this starts moving away from Gray and McGregor at increasingly tangential tangents.

He's been a captain almost everywhere he has played - so being good in the dressing room is a reasonable point to note...in a year where budgets are restricted, we have had to cut our cloth - I don't see what's unreasonable for us to sign someone simply as back up...that can add value elsewhere too. In previous years we've had 3 or 4 of these, that hardly kicked a ball. That's all that this signing is. I don't see the S McGinn signing being a big error, or an error at all. It is what it is. When results are poor people go on hyper alert to raise anything that might not be working - this time it is the McGinn signing getting it. If those who were playing were still winning, it wouldn't be on this forum.

[jeffers]

Totally agree. The combined money for Gray, McGregor and McGinn would be much better spent on one player that we actually see on the pitch from time to time. I know McGinn does manage that now and again but he’s not going to make any kind of proper contribution.

Love Gray and McGregor and it’s not their fault they are in the position they are but it’s three players in our squad every week who simply aren’t going to contribute. And if they do get in at any point they’re going to be so far off the pace. Remember a home game, not long before the original lockdown, where Gray had an absolute disaster and was hooked at half time. Neither of them have played any kind of regular football for far too long now.

Following that logic, if we don’t have Gray and McGregor what would we do if a centre back or Paul McGinn get injured or suspended ? Be nice to think every player would contribute but we need cover. Until the past few games our centre backs and right back have played well and deserved to keep their place in the team.

My bigger issue is with Stephen McGinn because it’s a position we already had cover for. Cheap or not I still believe would could have got a loan signing from down south who could have contributed, as we did with Barker when he was on loan.