Analysis: 'Livingston draw is just a minor bump in the road'

Hibs striker Christian Doidge battles with former Hibee Efe Ambrose during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Livingston. Picture: SNS

There’s been some discontentment among the Hibs fanbase following the 1-1 draw with Livingston.

Most of those grievances stem from the Easter Road side's missed opportunity to close the gap on the sides leading the chase for Europe, Aberdeen going down 2-1 at home to Ross County while Motherwell were held to a disappointing goalless draw at struggling Hamilton.

Victory would have also seen Hibs leapfrog their West Lothian opponents into fifth. However, as it stands, the Steelmen remain in the driving seat five points better off in third.

Fans pay good money to support their team and are entitled to air their disgruntlement. But I must admit the weekend’s result has caught me off guard and generated a lot more negativity than is warranted.

If I'm playing devil's advocate, Hibs did spurn the chance to assume a first-half lead after Scott Allan saw his penalty kick saved by Robby McCrorie in the Livi goal. And yes an old habit reared its ugly head again as the hosts’ goal was breached so soon after Christian Doidge had fired Jack Ross' side in front with his 17th goal of the campaign.

But, as frustrating as it was not to capitalise on results that are outwith their control, I don't think a 1-1 stalemate against a side who, on their day, are as compact and well-drilled as any other team in the division with the exception of the Old Firm, should come under such scrutiny.

That's not to say head coach Ross didn't shy away from the frustration felt in the stands on Saturday in his post-match press conference. But he was also quick to point out that it wasn’t so long ago that Hibs were looking anxiously over their shoulder as a battle to avoid the drop looked more likely with each passing game. That narrative has long been put to bed.

Ross acknowledged Hibs weren’t at their free-flowing best and some of their more consistent performers didn't reach the standards he expects. However, the home side still had the lion's share of possession and were chasing a second goal right until the death.

It’s been said time again but Livingston are no mugs and Hibs, like any other top-flight club, have no divine right to stamp all over them.

One supporter’s reaction on the club’s official Twitter page read: “It’s just not good enough. A draw at home to Livi is not good enough, we should be pushing for a European place not settling for sixth," while another bemoaned: "Poor today. Terrible penalty and sleeping to concede our goal. Not good enough for third."

The fact is Hibs are good enough to finish third this season and are not content to finish sixth as suggested. Results since the winter break have been hugely positive, just one defeat in ten in all competitions and that was a narrow loss to Rangers at Ibrox. Take into account the sheer volume of minutes the players have amassed since a return to action against Dundee United in the Scottish Cup last month, it merely underlines the squad, which is suitably stronger after the recent transfer window, is in good physical condition.

With three of their five fixtures before the split coming against teams currently in the bottom six, not to mention a trip to Pittodrie in a fortnight's time, Hibs have every chance of remaining in the race for a coveted European berth. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that the Hibees could even occupy third place by the time the league does split in April. It’s testament to Ross and his squad that Hibs and European football are even being mentioned in the same sentence considering the club was in dire straits little more than four months ago.

The Leith side are motoring in the right direction and with a quarter of the season still to play and 30 points up for grabs, now is not the time to down tools - a theory that applies to the supporters too.