Paul Heckingbottom defends Scott Allan substitution

Hibs’ head coach Paul Heckingbottom last night defended his
decision to substitute fans’ favourite Scott Allan during yesterday’s 2-2 draw
with St Johnstone at Easter Road.

With Hibs leading 1-0 Heckingbottom replaced Allan with
Daryl Horgan, a move that sparked a loud chorus of booing throughout the stadium.

Allan had been playing on the right side of midfield rather
than his preferred position in the middle which also irritated the supporters.

Shortly before the substitution however he produced a piece
of magic after combining with man of the match Florian Kamberi by sliding a
superb through ball into the path of Christian Doidge but the striker’s week effort
was easily saved.

The booing continued when Michael O’Halloran cancelled out
Adam Jackson’s first-half opener in the 68th minute but Flo Kamberi restored
Hibs’ lead 60 seconds later with a deft flick from Glenn Middleton’s cross.

St Johnstone then dominated the remainder of the match and
equalised in the dying seconds, the third successive game that Hibs have lost a
goal in time added on.

The players left the field with boos ringing in their ears.

 Heckingbottom later insisted
that the apprehension in the stands did not help and defended his decisions.

He said: “We were trying to get the boys to relax but the
whole stadium was anxious and that spread to the players.

“We are drawing at home and we will draw many more at home
this season, without a doubt. It doesn’t help the players, but you could see
that we were trying to calm them and tell them to stay calm and relaxed, but
anxiety was an issue.

“If the fans can stay calm and if something good does
happen, then get behind them.”

Asked about the booing following the substitution
Heckingbottom responded: “I didn’t know there was a law against taking him (Scott
Allan) off.

“No player’s going to play 90 minutes every game. I’ve
worked with Scott all week and know what he’s been like.

“He’s not been at his best in training. He’s played 120
minutes last week (against Morton) and was carrying a knock.

“I didn’t bring him off because he was injured but he was
suffering. That’ll happen.”

Many Hibs’ fans then took to social media to express their
anger with a significant proportion claiming to have lost faith in the Yorkshireman
and many of his summer signings.

Some compared his reign to the disastrous tenures of Terry
Butcher and Colin Calderwood.

New owner Ron Gordon was in the directors’ box sitting
alongside Leeann Dempster and he witnessed the reaction of the fans toward the
head coach.

Hibs’ next home game is the Edinburgh derby on 21^st
September.