The data also reads well for Hibs as a team overall, especially in an attacking sense, where they rank high in several key metrics.
Only Celtic have created more big chances and accumulated a higher expected goals (xG) rating, while they rank third for touches in the opposition box.
If the league table was based on teams’ xG for and against, the Leith side would still be third, which suggests they are not in a false position.
It was a similar story for Hibs last term, even during their grim start. Positive underlying numbers often reflect well on teams over the course of a season.
It is almost 12 months to the day since Gray’s managerial tenure U-turned in the right direction, a late Rocky Bushiri leveller in a wild 3-3 draw with Aberdeen sparking a stunning run of form to finish third.
The Hibs great will hope a positive result at Fir Park on Tuesday has the same impact from a far better starting point after a whirlwind 18 months in his first permanent head coach role.
Reflecting on that spell, Gray said: “When I think about that first period, I certainly learned a lot from what my first year looked like, being maybe 30 seconds away from potentially losing [my] job.
“So, to then be sitting where we finished, the success from last season, the feel-good factor around the club, moving in the right direction and then putting ourselves in a good position now. That’s all we’ve done, though.”
