David Gray has no issue with the increased scrutiny on his Hibernian role

Hibernian boss David Gray has no issue with the increased scrutiny on his position as he acknowledged he can no longer be given the leeway he was afforded during a tough spell at the beginning of his reign.

Despite qualifying for Europe in his first two seasons in charge, the 38-year-old has come under fire after a run of three defeats – against Gent, Hearts and St Johnstone – in four matches, with some supporters and pundits questioning whether he is equipped to move Hibs forward.

Gray was backed by the board at the start of his managerial career when he won only one of his first 15 league games in charge two seasons ago but he admitted the bar has risen and that he should be judged more harshly this time.

“I was in a different situation then, I’m two years down the line going into my third season so it’s a very different way of looking at it than me just being in the door as a first-time manager,” he said ahead of Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final away to League One Ross County.

“Malky (Mackay, sporting director) was also just in the door in terms of the structure and the transitional period that the club was in at that time.

“Would I have expected (the criticism) to come on quicker now because we’re a bit more settled and we’ve had time to do things? Naturally. I’m not averse to criticism, I’m not shying away from it, I’m certainly not put off by it in terms of feeling sorry for myself. If anything, it’s the opposite.”

Former captain Gray, who initially joined Hibs as a player 12 years ago, said he is glad to be at a club with lofty aspirations rather than one that “just bobs along”.

“Even when I played, I’ve never had social media, I’ve never read newspapers, I don’t enjoy that side of the game, because everybody’s got an opinion,” he said, reflecting further on the ongoing analysis of his job.

“Whether people are qualified to have it or not, it doesn’t matter, because that’s what you sign up to.

“I certainly wasn’t expecting my management career to start the way it started and then think: ‘That’s it, it’s just going to be plain sailing from now on’. It was always going to come at different times because the expectation rises all the time.

“We can’t speak about where we want the club to get to, the expectation we’ve got, and then lose a couple of games and think nobody’s going to be asking questions.

“But there’s a lot to be positive about already this season as well when you think about some of the results. I know what we’re doing internally, I’m confident in what we’re doing and the way we want to take the club forward.”

Hibs have a centre-back shortage for the trip to County, with Grant Hanley and Marko Ivezic doubtful and Jordan Obita out, although Jack Iredale returns from suspension.