Hibs’ Head Coach Alan Stubbs has hailed his players response to going a goal down to Falkirk with six minutes remaining as ‘fantastic.’
A mistake by goalkeeper Mark Oxley allowed former hearts’ striker Lee Miller a ‘tap in’ and with Hibs down to ten men after John McGinn’s first half red card, most fans believed that the unbeaten run had come to an end.
The players responded magnificently however and two of Stubbs’ substitutions paid dividend in the last minute when Henri Anier flicked a Jason Cummings cross into the path of Martin Boyle who scored from two yards.
With the news that rangers had also dropped two points at home to Morton, the supporters left the ground in good fettle although many stayed behind to show their displeasure at referee Kevin Clancy who has had better days at the office.
Speaking after the game to Cliff Pike of to Hibs TV Stubbs said: “ To be honest, the result felt like a win, the way it all unfolded.
“We showed a brilliant amount of character today when you know that the game is not going your way. It started with John (McGinn) getting sent off and then we conceded from the mistake. The type of mistake is one of them that can have a real affect on the team when everyone can feel really sorry for themselves but we have come a long way.
“Our response after that was fantastic. The two player (John McGinn and Mark Oxley) were very apologetic, but they have no need to be.
“John’s performances have been outstanding this season and Ox’s performances have been outstanding. he has kept us in games before. It’s the loneliest position on the pitch. He has no-one around him. Everybody else makes mistakes on the pitch but more often than not the outfield players have people to help them so there will be no criticism from me, the players, the staff and I certainly wouldn’t expect any from the fans either. We are in this together.
I honestly do believe we’ve gained today – I do. It’s one of those games where we have gained because I think we have gained more than a result today. I think we’ve gained a lot mentally from it.
“There is going to be a few twists and turns as the season goes on. Maybe one or two people think I know what I’m talking about now, there’s a long way to go. A long, long way to go.
“I couldn’t have been any prouder of the players and I told them that. The way they kept going, the more the game went on they got stronger, even with nine men.”
Hibs face Queen of the South next week at Easter Road then travel to Ibrox on the 28th December.
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.
