The Hibs Development Squad fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against William Hill League Two outfit Forfar Athletic last night.
Jamie Richardson grabbed the only goal of the game as the youngsters performed well in their first KDM Evolution Trophy league phase fixture of the campaign.
Afterwards Darren McGregor told Hibs TV: “It was very positive.
“I thought in the second half we were the better team, if I’m being honest. We created multiple opportunities.
“I just wish that in the first half we had that belief to begin with, that belief in ourselves because we’re a good young group.
“We massively benefitted today by [having] Murray Johnson and Jacob MacIntyre, they came in and done really well, and that inspired the lads around them.
“I think we were hard done by coming away with a 1-0 defeat.
“You want lads to experience venues like this against older opposition that are trying all the dark arts to win the game, which they were. Our lads will benefit from that.
“I’m fully behind the boys, I thought they were excellent and we actually looked like the team in the second half that wanted to win and that’s what I want to see.
“Technically we showed our worth today, we lost a scrappy goal and we knew that they would be dangerous,” McGregor added. “But I thought over the piece we defended very well, and we had, I counted, five opportunities to score.
“Did they have opportunities did they test us? Of course they did, but I thought the defence done well and Murray Johnson was exceptional as well.”
