Hibs’ boss Terry Butcher is happy with his players’ reaction during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Ross County at Easter Road, particularly teenage midfielder Sam Stanton who scored his second goal in only three starts with a sensational 25 yard free-kick and previously out of favour Tom Taiwo.
After the game, Butcher told Hibernian TV: “I’m ecstatic because we got a fantastic reaction from the players. We’ve talked about that all week and I wrote about it in my programme notes.
“I did say that talk is cheap and it’s about actions on the pitch and I thought the players, showed a good appetite for the game.
“I thought we had opportunities in the second half to have killed the game off and we didn’t take them and that that lead to a frantic sort of finish to the match. But I’m just delighted for the three points; it is one Cup Final down and eight to go now before the split.”
“Sam (Stanton) played one back compared to previous weeks. Whereas he’s been playing in front of the midfield just in behind the striker, he just played the left centre against Ross County.
“It’s probably his best position and he will end up there, but he’s just got an appetite for the game. He just wants to get on the ball and make passes and carry it forward and ask questions of the opposition.
“He’s a good passer of the ball too. He’s got great energy, but a good football player. He just excites you, he really lifts you off your seat and in the end it would have been justice really if he had got that goal because he deserved it.
“You know when he burst through, it was four against one and he went past and forced a good save again from Mark (Brown).”
“Tom’s (Taiwo) been tremendous. He’s scored the winning goal today. I couldn’t believe that was him that was in the box, but two central midfield players have scored two goals which is outstanding. It’s been very encouraging.
“He’s been absolutely brilliant, he really has. He’s always been good in training. He’s always applied himself very well. It was the same with Danny Handling.
“When I named him in the team, well when we worked on the team yesterday, I said to him: “I bet you’re surprised you’re in the team?” He was shocked and said: “Yeah, I am surprised” and Tom was the same.
“But both of them have shown great character by taking the chances that have been presented to them. I’m very pleased with that.”
Sam Stanton told Hibernian TV: “It was great to score two goals in two games and I was just delighted that we got the win – it’s a great feeling.
“I feel very confident right now and I’ve been pleased with my performances so far. I’ve waited a while for an opportunity to come and I’m just delighted to now be playing.
“The result was very important. All the boys wanted to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible to make up for last week.
“Obviously, it doesn’t completely make up for last week, but it’s nice to be back winning again.”
Photo by John Preece
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography
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.
