Hibernian head coach David Gray is preparing his side for a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter against Celtic on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. This fixture holds significant implications not only for Hibernian's own ambitions but also for the wider title race, as a win for Hibs would provide a considerable boost to city rivals Hearts' pursuit of their first Scottish Premiership title since 1960.

With just four games remaining in the league season, Hearts currently hold a three-point advantage over Celtic. The upcoming match has generated considerable buzz, particularly among Hibernian supporters, some of whom are keen to see their Edinburgh foes, Hearts, crowned champions by preventing Celtic from gaining points.

Despite the external "noise" and the potential impact on the title race, David Gray has firmly stated his team's commitment to professionalism. He dismissed any suggestion of "awkwardness" surrounding the fixture, emphasizing that his focus remains squarely on securing a victory for Hibernian. "It's really not awkward for me, it's very self-explanatory, we're professional, we do everything we can to win games," Gray told Sky Sports News.

Beyond the rivalry dynamics, Hibernian has its own clear objective: to secure guaranteed European football for the upcoming season. To achieve this, they must bridge a six-point gap to Motherwell, who currently occupy fourth place in the Scottish Premiership standings. Every point is crucial in their quest to climb the table.

Gray, who grew up in the city and understands the local football landscape, acknowledged the intense speculation surrounding the match. However, he remains confident in his team's ability to achieve their goals. "I understand the noise, I grew up in the city, I know the noise that goes around it, but the first weekend of post-split fixtures shows that results can change very quickly," he added, believing there are still enough games to secure a top-four finish.