Hearts comfortably defeated Championship leaders Stenhousemuir 3-0 on Friday, while Hibs avoided a potential upset a day later by securing an identical victory over League 1 favourites Ross County.
The result provided a timely lift for Gray, who had come under increasing pressure after recording only one victory in five matches, a sequence that included elimination from the Conference League and defeat in the derby.
The 38-year-old Scot said the upcoming match promised to be an outstanding occasion in a full stadium. He added that any semi-final combination involving the four remaining teams would have created a tremendous atmosphere.
Gray acknowledged that an Edinburgh derby brings extra intensity to the occasion. After watching the draw, he immediately began looking forward to the contest.
This will be the first Edinburgh derby at Hampden since Hearts earned a 2-1 victory in the 2022 Scottish Cup semi-final. Although the Tynecastle club hold a 5-1 advantage in League Cup encounters between the teams, they have never previously faced each other at this stage of the competition.
Hearts have reached the final twice since their last appearance in 2013, but they have not won the League Cup since claiming the trophy for a fourth time in 1962.
Hibs, meanwhile, have suffered two final defeats since winning the competition for the third time in 2007.
It will be the first League Cup semi-final appearance for either club since November 2023, when Hibs were eliminated by Aberdeen and Hearts lost to Rangers.
Gray described facing local rivals in front of a capacity crowd on such a major stage as a fantastic opportunity. The tie is scheduled for either Saturday, 31 October, or the following day.
This will be Gray’s first semi-final as Hibs head coach, although he served as caretaker manager during their most recent final appearance, a defeat by Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic in December 2021.
Gray, whose team welcome Kilmarnock in the league on Tuesday, said reaching this stage had proved difficult for both the club and himself during the past two seasons.
He insisted that Hibs have repeatedly shown they can compete with any opponent when they deliver a complete performance.
Gray added that the Edinburgh rivalry will heighten both the atmosphere and the significance of what promises to be a memorable occasion.
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