Hibs head coach David Gray was left frustrated with his side’s creativity in the final third as Hibs drew 0-0 with Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium last night.
Hibs were dominant in the second half but struggled to create any real clear cut chances.
The draw however sees Hibs overtake Hearts who are now bottom of the table after a home defeat to Kilmarnock.
When speaking after the game, Gray assessed his side’s performance and was quick to praise keeper Joe Bursik who has been the subject of much criticism from the supporters following a few high profile mistakes.
“A point away from home and a clean sheet is never a bad thing, but with the situation we find ourselves in at the moment we saw this as an opportunity to come up here and get three.
“We have to take the positives from the game, which are our goalkeeper, he made a big save at a big time, and that we kept a clean sheet.
“I was frustrated with the first half. I thought we were flat and lacked energy. I thought Ross County were the better side in the first half and if it wasn’t for the goalkeeper, we’d have found ourselves behind.
“The second half was much more like us; we were on the front foot and had a lot more energy. We asked the players to have more belief on the ball, more bravery, and to try and win the game.
“For a 20-minute period we created chances and dominated the game, but we really lacked a cutting edge and quality in the final third, whether that be the last action, the execution, or whatever it would’ve been; that’s what let us down tonight.”
“We have come under a lot of criticism defensively, and rightly so, because we’ve conceded a lot of goals and not kept enough clean sheets. As defenders and goalkeepers that’s what you pride yourself on.
“It was a big night for Joe (Bursik) tonight, it was a big save at a big time to secure the clean sheet. I’m delighted for him because of the criticism he’s come under. He’s working incredibly hard and the back four should take a lot of credit for the way they defended.
“The frustration comes because we couldn’t put it all together tonight. Defensively we were much better but going the other way we let ourselves down.”
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.
