YES MAN

Gray won't be Malky's puppet.. he's the right man at the right time for a support who are at their lowest ebb

- TAM MCMANUS

HIBS needed to appoint a manager to bring the whole club back together.

In the 25 years since I broke through in Leith, I would say there has never been a bigger disconnect with the supporters.

And that is a worrying admission given some of what has gone on in that time.

Easter Road should be rocking but for too long the atmosphere has been shocking.

I've said for a couple of years now that apathy has been sweeping through the place.

Season-ticket holders have been getting to the stage they cannot be bothered going to games, which says it all.

David Gray's appointment can sort that. I'm certain of it.

He has the respect of the fans, first and foremost. He is a Scottish Cup-winning legend a popular figure around the club and exactly the right type of no-nonsense character needed to sort this team out.

More than anything, he knows the club and the Scottish game. That is key.

The Hibs board, at last, have the right management team in place with David as head coach and, above him, Malky Mackay as sporting director.

Don't suggest for a minute David's going in there as a puppet for those above, though.

There's no way he is a yes man. I've heard some pundits say he could get manipulated by Malky but I don't go along with that for one minute.