Hibs’ Head Coach Jack Ross insisted that Steven Whittaker’s dismissal was pivotal in the loss of three points against Aberdeen at Pittodrie yesterday but agreed that his players have to perform better in adversity.
Hibs deservedly led through Christian Doidge’s first-half strike and but for the form of Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis could have been two or three up.
Whittaker was then shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Lewis Ferguson and from then on it was one-way traffic.
Ross replaced debutant Jamie Gullan with Melker Hallberg to shore up the midfield but Aberdeen fought back and defender Adam Jackson put through his own net before Andrew Considine and Curtis Main sealed the victory.
This ended a frustrating week for the long-suffering fans and many are now questioning whether Hibs will finish in the top six. At the moment they are one point ahead of St Johnstone who have a game in hand.
The pair meet at Easter Road next Saturday in what could be the game that decides to final slot.
After the game Ross said: “I thought we were the better team prior to the red card and Joe Lewis made two saves, the first in particular was outstanding.
“The sending-off is pivotal, but you can still win a game with 10 men. We were ahead in the game which isn’t a bad starting point, so we need to be better in our response to adversity.
“We’re a good team and we showed that in the first hour of the game. Our response to Tuesday night was excellent but that period immediately after the sending-off cost us the game and the goals, from our point of view, are pretty soft.”
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.
