Hibs midfielder Scott Robertson has revealed that new manager Terry Butcher wants more shots on goal from all of his players when the opportunity presents itself, which suits the former Dundee United player down to the ground as he is determined to overtake team-mate Liam Craig in the goal-scoring stakes.
Robertson has become one of the fans’ favourites for his hard work and commitment even when things aren’t going to plan.
Speaking at the Club’s Training Centre, Robertson said: “The manager is trying to mainly work on the squad playing in their correct positions and any shape we’ve been working on has been based on that. It seems to be a better standard because of that.
“He is impressed with the squad and our abilities but he feels he can get more out of us results-wise on a Saturday and it’s up to him and ourselves to get the best out of what’s here.”
“Inverness score goals from all over the pitch – centre-backs, full-backs, midfielders and strikers.
“I’ve already seen signs in training this week that he wants a similar style from us. He was very positive in his instructions about getting shots away when you get the chance.
“We have passed the ball about nice but it’s not been effective in terms of scoring goals. We’re the lowest scoring team in the league. There’s definitely something wrong there because we pass it well at times but the new manager said it hasn’t been to great effect.”
“He told us there’s no point in trying to play that threaded pass if it gets cut out – you might as well have a shot if you are in a decent position.
“Personally, I think I must have had the most shots on goals this season with the least goals return! A combination of bad finishing and good goalkeeping has resulted in me scoring just one goal so far.
“I feel I deserve goals and hopefully I’ll get some because I’ve got a bet on with Liam Craig that I’ll score more – but he’s five ahead already!”
Robertson rejected the accusation that the Hibs players are suffering from a loss of confidence, at least from his personal viewpoint.
“I can only speak for myself when I say that I don’t think I was lacking in confidence,” he said. People can help give you confidence but it comes from yourself and you need to be strong mentally. I said in the summer I had a bad season last season so I made sure this season was all down to me.
“I was trying to get myself fit and play the best I could,” he added. “Confidence might be a factor with some boys but not for myself. When there’s any change at the top of the club it gives the place a lift but it’s still the honeymoon period – we haven’t even had a game yet – but there’s a buzz about the place and we’re all up for the game.
“I had a bad season last season so I got into a positive frame of mind in the summer and I feel I’ve done myself more justice but I feel there’s more to come and hopefully I can produce that under the new manager.”
Meanwhile, Hibs have appealed against the touchline ban issued to Terry Butcher following an incident in a League Cup tie against Dundee United which means that he will be in the dugout for today’s game against St Mirren.
A large travelling support is expected however Butcher is hoping that they refrain from wearing a certain type of headgear in his honour.
He explained: “We’ll have a good support there but I hope they’re not wearing green bandages on their heads; that will be a bit embarrassing. We have had a great response from the fans and we want them to be cheering on Saturday with a good performance.
“St Mirren are on a great run at the moment and Danny (Lennon) deserves a lot of praise for that and the way the players have responded to playing under immense pressure. We’re a team very similar to that – we’ve lost our last four games and haven’t scored a goal, so it’s up to us to respond in the same way they’ve done. But since I’ve been manager here I’ve always been more interested in my own team than the opposition. I want my side to play with the energy we feel it has.”
The game is live on Sky Sports with a 12.45 kick off.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
