Hibs produced a valiant performance against League leaders Rangers at Meadowbank on Sunday and looked to be heading for a memorable victory before the Glasgow side scored an equaliser in added time.
Eilidh Adams dispatched from the penalty spot in the first half, before she had a second spot kick denied by Rangers ‘keeper Jenna Fife in the second 45.
Rangers substitute Rio Hardy came on and snatched a point for the away side deep into stoppage-time, denying Hibs the win.
“I am delighted with the performance,” said Scott despite the late agony. “I’m really proud of the group. All week we have worked really well to produce that level of performance today.
“But I’m a little bit disappointed. It was a disappointing time to lose the equalising goal and I felt that the reward of having a victory today would have been better for the players considering what they put into the game. That’s not to say that we deserved to win, I actually think we did without being disrespectful.
“We were playing against a top side and you have got to stay concentrated for the full 90 minutes. There’s a tinge of disappointment there because I thought the players deserved that one today.”
Scott took the time to compliment every player in the squad – including those who did not feature in the game – for their efforts across the past week and ensuring past frustrating performances were not replicated once more.
“We had a great game plan today. I have criticised the players before for us having a plan and them not executing it properly. But today, we got every move and every action spot on.
“Rangers were good first half, they carved us open a couple of times and looked quite threatening. But, bar the shots off the woodwork, I thought we managed most of it pretty well.
“Credit to every player in the group. There were a couple of players who didn’t get on today as well that have played their part all week to help us get that disciplined performance today.
“We’ve managed the whole squad this week.
“We have players unavailable due to illness and players on the bench who probably should not be there because they aren’t well, so credit to them for being honest and answering honestly when I’ve asked how they are – because everyone wants to play.
“We’re raring to go and that’s the level of performance we can produce when we are all on the same page.”
Skipper Rachael Boyle added: “Overall, the performance was exceptional from the girls. From back to front, the girls on the bench, everyone played their part today.
“It feels like a defeat given they scored so late on. But you get punished at this level if you don’t switch on.
“There were a lot of positives to take. We had a game plan coming into the game. You can see from the performance of the girls that we stuck to it. To a man, we were excellent.
“The conditions were not great. It was not the type of the game that you can get the ball down and play. But from a battling perspective, I think we have certainly shown our qualities.”
The international break gives the side a rest from competitive football for a fortnight, before the Hibees return to face Aberdeen at Balmoral Stadium in two weekends time.
With a handful of our players heading off to join up with the Scotland Under-23s squad for a friendly double-header, Boyle insists the remainder of the group will be preparing with intensity for the Dons clash.
“It’s going to be a bit mismatch with a few players going off to national team camps, so we will have them away and then regroup when they are back.
“But certainly the ones that are based at HTC will be working hard and we will be ready to go again.”
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.
