Hibs need to stop self-sabotaging

IN THE last edition The Irish Voice, we spoke of the fact that anything could become of Hibs’ season and that very much still remains the case.

However, the dream of going deep into the Scottish Cup was ended abruptly at East End Park when Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic side progressed thanks to a rather freakish own-goal by Miguel Chaiwa in injury time.

On paper it looked to be a tricky tie—given it featured a side managed by former Hibs boss Lennon—and so it proved. David Gray’s men looked lacklustre throughout with only a Kieron Bowie miss while clean through on goal, the only clear-cut chance of the first-half. After the break, there were chances at both ends, but the failure of the green jerseys to capitalise on theirs proved pivotal as the Pars progressed.

The 2016 cup-winning hero Gray couldn’t hide his disappointment at exited the competition so early, but conceded that he thought Dunfermline deserved to go through.

Prior to this game, the Cabbage had gone on a five-game unbeaten run, drawing away to Dundee United, defeating city rivals Hearts 3-2 at Easter Road, following that up with a 2-0 home win over Aberdeen, before an excellent away win over Kilmarnock and a 1-1 draw with high-flying Motherwell. That had given fans of the Hibees hope that a cup run and a drive towards the European places were on the cards. However, the defeat at East End Park coupled with a 4-1 thumping away to Falkirk put paid to the former and put a spoke in the wheel of the latter.

Hibs did get their league campaign back on track somewhat with a 0-0 draw at home to Rangers before following it up with a 3-2 win at Easter Road against Dundee United.

As The Irish Voice goes to press, next up on the horizon is a trip to Tynecastle to take on the league leaders. A victory at the home of their fiercest rivals would not only be a valuable three points in the hunt for a European place, but would also dent Hearts’ title aspirations too—the definition of win-win situation for the Hibbies!

The Cabbage will have to do it without the services of Kieron Bowie, however, as he joined Italian side Hellas Verona in the January window for a reputed £6 million. Also leaving the club were Dylan Levitt to Leyton Orient and Junior Hoilett to Swindon Town on permanent transfers, while Thibault Klidje was sent out on loan to Danish side Randers.

Coming through the doors at Easter Road were experienced German full-back Felix Passlack on a permanent deal from VfL Bochum, along with young Irish strker Owen Elding from Sligo Rovers and Croatian forward Ante Šuto from Slaven Belupo. Šuto endeared himself to the Hibs faithful almost instantly by snatching a 93rd minute winner against Dundee United. The three permanent signings were joined by loanees Dane Scarlett, Kai Andrews and Munashe Garananga from Tottenham Hotspur, Coventry City and FC Copenhagen respectively.

So Hibs have bolstered the squad despite the loss of talisman Bowie, but if they want to secure a European spot they’ll need to go on a winning run and stop shooting themselves in the foot.

Everyone at The Irish Voice would like to offer our prayers and condolences to regular Hibs columnist, Ian Colquhoun, on the recent passing of his father John. May he rest in peace.