Hibs’ boss Terry Butcher admitted he was disappointed not to take all three points from Rugby Park on Saturday after watching his side dominate possession throughout the 90 minutes.
The result leaves Hibs level on points with St Johnstone in the race for the top six spot although the Perth side have the better goal difference and have a game in hand.
Speaking to Hibernian TV after the game Butcher said: “I asked the players after the game what their thoughts were and they were frustrated and disappointed and feel as if it’s two points dropped. We had good possession and chances to get in behind their back four and midfield as well but it was just that final ball and final pass and encouraging that bravery
“We are disappointed because we had a lot of possession and they have not had any real chances in the game or not many after the goal and we have had opportunities. We’ve got into some great positions and not killed them off so and from all that possession we have only got one goal to show for it and I am disappointed about that.
“It was all Hibs in the second half and they were hanging on at the end with the corners and we were piling men forward but in the first half I thought we did really well. They scored against the run of play. I thought we had good possession of the ball but we just couldn’t get any decent crosses or balls into the box. More belief has to be the key.
“What’s been happening is that if we have lost a goal the players’ heads have gone down and they have resorted to a long ball but we didn’t do that today. I thought we kept our heads well and kept the shape well. Our two midfield players Sam Stanton and Tom Taiwo were excellent today and were able to get control of the middle of the park but we need more from our wider players and more movement and possession in the final third
“They came in a half time and the boys were saying that they had done everything right and I was happy with the way we played apart from conceding that goal and not putting the ball into the back of the net. It was much more positive in the second half and we came out of the traps brightly and were crisp and closed them down well forced mistakes and tried to capitalise on that and when we got the equaliser I thought that there is only one winner here but unfortunately for one reason or another we haven’t put the ball into the back of the net for the second goal so we are disappointed because it would have gained ground on the teams above us.
“It’s another point toward the top six and we are on a two match unbeaten run as Ben Williams just told me so it’s not all bad but at this stage of the season it’s disappointing as we need the three points.”
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.
