Hibs’ European campaign ended tonight in Norway with a 3-0 defeat to Molde at the Aker Stadion.
Neil Lennon made four changes to the starting XI that drew with St Johnstone last Sunday as Ross Laidlaw, Steven Whittaker, Emerson Hyndman and Oli Shaw were replaced by Adam Bogdan, Marvin Bartley, Florian Kamberi and Jamie MacLaren.
Molde’s star striker 18-year-old Erling Braut Haland who missed last week’s 0-0 draw at Easter Road due to transfer negotiations with Salzburg started for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.
Molde were high on confidence after thrashing league leader Brann 5-1 at the weekend and started brightly as Eirik Hestad went close with an early strike before Vykintas Slivka almost set up MacLaren but the Australian international just failed to connect with the cross.
Ryan Porteous was then shown an early yellow card for a foul on the impressive teenage striker.
After an evenly fought first 35-minutes Molde took the lead when Fredrik Aursnes’ free kick found Ruben Gabrielsen at the back post and his header across goal was bundled in by Haland at the back post.
Bartley limped off with an injury and was replaced by Hyndman.
Hibs almost grabbed an equaliser just after the break when Maclaren’s low cross just eluded Kamberi then Stevie Mallan set up Martin Boyle but the winger’s effort flew over the bar.
Molde looked dangerous on the break and doubled their advantage when Haland set up Aursnes who tapped the ball into an empty net from close range.
Hibs almost pulled one back in the 72nd minute when Lewis Stevenson headed a deep Efe Ambrose cross back across goal to MacLaren but his header rebounded off the post.
Molde wrapped things up with nine minutes remaining when Halaan fried in from close range after Magnus Wolff Eikrem’s deflected fell into his path.
Hibs continued to press forward but were unable to grab a consolation goal.
After the game Molde manager Solskjaer was full of praise for two-goal teenager Haland and said that he was the difference between the teams.
He told BBC Scotland: “It was a hard fought game, very even. Hibs hit the post twice and if one of those goes in, you never know. I think it was a 50-50 game but we had that little bit extra in front of goal with Haland.
“He has everything. He can head it, he holds the ball up. He’s got pace, energy. He runs and runs for the team and spreads so much enthusiasm. We are a different team with him.
Lennon told BBC Scotland: “I think the scoreline certainly flatters Molde. It certainly wasn’t a 3-0 game. The second goal was the ice-breaker really.
“After half-time we looked in the ascendancy and missed a couple of great chances to take it to 1-1 and that would have changed the psychology and complexity of the tie completely.
“We lacked a bit of experience at times – you could see that – but I am very proud of the players and what they have given. I always want to win, but I can’t have everything in life.
“We just ran out of puff towards the end which is understandable, but we had to try to get a goal somehow. But that 15-20 minute spell in the second half when we were on top, we really should have equalized.
“We have missed an opportunity there, as we missed an opportunity in Edinburgh as well. Martin Boyle has got round the back and just had a brain-freeze, and then flashed one back across the goal.
“We have created chances against a very good side, in the first half as well. We just lacked that little bit of oomph. Especially away from home, you need to take your chances.
“I am disappointed we have conceded from a set-play and for their second goal, we really should have taken Hasted out. We have got to learn that in European football, you take a foul, take the yellow card. But we didn’t do that and it cost us in the end.”
Molde: Linde, Forren, Gabrielsen, Gregersen (Strand 71), Hussain, Aursnes, Hestad, Remmer, Cibicki (Wolff Eikrem 58), Haugen, Haland (James 83)Subs not used: Ranmark, Ssewankambo, Mostrom, Chima
Hibernian: Bogdan, Hanlon, Bartley (Hyndman 40), Slivka, Maclaren(Shaw 76), Boyle, Mallan, Stevenson (Gray 88), Kamberi, Ambrose, Porteous
Subs not used: Laidlaw, Whittaker, Swanson, Martin
Referee: Dennis Higler (Holland)
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.
