David Gray has made four changes to the Hibs side for the Gent clash, with the manager freshening up his selection before the UEFA Conference League meeting. It is a clear sign that Hibs are treating the fixture with the seriousness it demands, even after squeaking by Partick Thistle at the weekend.
The changes come against the backdrop of a busy run for Hibs, with Gray looking to strike the right balance between stability and energy. In a match presented as part of the UEFA Conference League stats and head-to-head build-up, the team news was always likely to be the key detail for supporters looking for the immediate shape of the side.
Gray opts for four changes
David Gray’s decision to make four alterations suggests a manager prepared to adjust without ripping up the structure entirely. That is often the approach in European fixtures like this one, where rhythm matters, but so does matching the demands of the opposition.
The confirmed selection gives Hibs a different look from the side that edged through against Partick Thistle. While the source information does not go into tactical detail, the message from the team sheet is straightforward: Gray wants a refreshed XI for the test against Gent.
Motherwell also make major changes
There was also notable movement elsewhere, with Alfred Johansson making six changes to the Motherwell side. That followed Motherwell’s League Cup exit at the hands of Championship Stenhousemuir at the weekend, underlining a broader sense of rotation and response around the fixture list.
For Hibs, though, the focus remains on their own selection and the challenge ahead. A four-change line-up does not necessarily mean a wholesale rethink, but it does show Gray is prepared to act quickly when the schedule and the standard of opponent demand it.
As these Conference League ties tend to do, the team news sets the tone. Hibs will now be judged on whether the new-look side can deliver the response Gray has clearly been looking for before kick-off against Gent.
