Hibs’ players feel guilty over Heckingbottom sacking

Hibs’ midfielder Stevie Mallan has claimed that the Hibs’
players “feel guilty” over the sacking of former head coach Paul
Heckingbottom.

The Yorkshireman only won one league game this season, on
the opening day against St Mirren and a derby defeat at Easter Road resulted in
supporters calling for his head.

Despite reaching the semi-final of the Betfred League Cup, the
Hibs’ Board reacted to the fans’ concerns and both Heckingbottom and his
assistant Robbie Stockdale were dismissed.

Eddie May took over along with Grant Murray and Steven
Whittaker and the players produced their best performance of the season,
recording a 4-1 win over St Johnstone in Perth.

Mallan told BBC Scotland: “Every player felt guilty and
still does. A man lost his job and we were part of that – not just the manager.

“The manager can put out any tactics and any team, but
first and foremost it’s up to the players to perform on the park and we were
the ones who weren’t performing.

“You try your hardest but unfortunately it just didn’t
work out.

“We were working hard, it was just the results weren’t
coming our way and we were just hoping for a game that just flipped it

“The game that happened ended up being St Johnstone –
when Eddie (May) took over – so that makes you feel even worse.

“It was the same players, the same kind of team we put
out under the previous manager. You just wish you’d done that for him, because
if we did he might still be in the job.”

Mallan previously played under Heckingbottom’s replacement Jack
Ross at St Mirren and he believes that the Hibs’ board has made the correct decision.

Ross takes charge for the first time today when Motherwell
visit Easter Road.

Mallan continued: “When it came up that he was getting
the job, I felt it was going to be the right choice.

“I thought it would be a no-brainer and now that he’s
here I’m delighted. When he came in at St Mirren he lifted everyone’s spirits.

“The boys who hardly played at St Mirren still loved
coming in to train, even the boys who were substitutes most weeks renewed their
contracts. He was just an enjoyable manager to play for.”