Darren Fletcher lauded the ‘amazing’ David Gray ahead of the Hibs legend’s testimonial at Easter Road this weekend.

Gray, 35, scored the winning goal in the 2016 Scottish Cup final and has subsequently taken the reins as caretaker manager on three separate occasions.

This Sunday he will come up against former Hibs teammate Fletcher, who will lead a Manchester United XI in a testimonial celebrating Gray’s near-decade association with the club.

And United technical director Fletcher hopes it will be a fitting tribute to a player he helped settle into life in green and white.

“David’s career was probably hampered by injuries, and probably to the detriment of how brave and tough he was he played through injury,” said Fletcher.

“He went into tackles that no other players would go into and probably found himself on the receiving end of some bad injuries along the way but he showed amazing character and strength of character to continue to keep playing.

“I think he found a fantastic home at Hibs, joining the club while they were in the Championship, getting promoted back to the Premiership, then eventually scoring the winning goal in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers so he’s a Hibs legend, and that’s why he’s having a testimonial game.”

Gray’s legacy was sealed in 2016 when it was his stoppage-time header that handed Hibs their first Scottish Cup since 1902.

Former teammate Fletcher played a key role in assembling the opposition for Sunday’s clash and he is confident they can give Gray the send-off he deserves.  

“Because of the connection and the fact David was having a testimonial, he got in contact with me to see what we could do, could we bring an U21 team up, and we just figured it out really,” explained Fletcher.

“In the end, between me and Darren Gibson, we just felt we’d try and get a team of players who played around David’s era really, who were connected to the first team, who’d played first team appearances and also lads who hadn’t made first team appearances but know David as well.

“So it’s a mixture of a team that could go and support David, we felt that would be the best way to go about it.

“It’s not easy to organise this sort of game, but all the players that are willing to participate have been fantastic, they really want to go and contribute on David’s behalf because of what a great guy he is.”

And while the pair have become great friends off the pitch, Fletcher reckons there will be no love lost come 2pm on Sunday.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he added. “I think the competitive edge is going to come out once the game starts.

“I’m just looking forward to the whole experience. It should get a great turnout, we want to encourage people to buy tickets and come to the game.

“There’s lots of Hibs legends returning, and with all the United players coming, I can’t wait to play with them again.”

A Hibs XI take on a Manchester Utd XI on Sunday 15th October at Easter Road Stadium, 2pm kick off, to celebrate David Grays Testimonial year. Tickets for Hibs and United fans available via https://www.eticketing.co.uk/hibernianfc/Events