Based on the matches played between Hibs and Motherwell this season, it would have been a significant injustice had we finished higher than the Steelmen.
At times during the first half of Saturday’s crucial match for a European spot, it seemed like they were competing in a completely different sport. Hibs were woeful, possibly the worst we’ve been all season.
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Injuries to Rocky Bushiri and Grant Hanley didn’t help our cause, but it would be wrong to attribute our performance solely to bad luck.
From start to finish, Motherwell displayed more heart, determination, skill, and tactical intelligence than Hibs did.
We didn’t manage our first shot on goal until the 28th minute—this was in a match that David Gray described as a “cup final.”
By the end of the game, we had only one shot on target, illustrating just how one-sided the match was, even with Motherwell reduced to ten men.
Following back-to-back victories against Falkirk and Rangers, we had high hopes for Hibs, especially after the unexpected news of Martin Boyle‘s contract extension.
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This news lifted everyone’s spirits just before kick-off, and it’s fantastic to see Boyle committing for another year.
With little excitement on the pitch, the highlights of the afternoon came from the reactions to Celtic’s goals in their title-winning match in Glasgow, providing a welcome distraction from an otherwise dismal day.
We cannot carry the style of play we’ve displayed in recent months into next season—it’s been since our 0-0 draw with Livingston in March that we’ve registered more than 10 shots on goal in a match.
In several games since, we’ve struggled to even hit five shots. This issue needs to be resolved; otherwise, the dissatisfaction that was palpable at full-time on Saturday will only intensify for the Gordon family.
You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast