David Gray insists he is not preoccupied by criticism after a poor start to the season as Hibernian target the first semi-final of his reign.

Gray was backed by the Easter Road board when he won just one of his first 15 league games but admits that was "a different situation". "Malky [Mackay] was also just in the door," he said. "Would I have expected criticism to come quicker now? Naturally. I'm not averse to it."

Hibs last reached a semi-final in November 2023, losing to Aberdeen. "Getting to Hampden was right at the top of the list," Gray added. "If I allow the noise to affect us, you go under. The focus is that we need to win."

County are unbeaten in League 1, with veteran striker Brian Graham scoring nine goals, including one against Dundee. "They've stayed full-time and kept their core together," Gray said. "It wouldn't surprise me if they found themselves back in the Premiership."