Hibs hero issues plea to 'frustrated' fans as Easter Road boos hit home for ex-Blackburn and QPR ace

Hibs goal scorer Junior Hoilett has pleaded with fans not to give up on David Gray’s embattled team. And the veteran winger says every player in the home dressing room at Easter Road shares the frustration of punters who broke into a chorus of booing at full-time in yesterday’s self-destructive 2-1 loss to Motherwell.

The Canadian, who scored a superb goal to put Hibs back on equal terms after the visitors had taken the lead from a well-worked free-kick, watched on helplessly as a long throw-in from Kofi Balmer – identified by Gray as a threat in the build-up to the fixture – was allowed to drop to Andy Halliday for a late winner. But Hoilett says it’s vital that fans stand by players determined to put things right.

Asked about the cries of anguished frustration from the stands, the 34-year-old former Blackburn Rovers star said: “Not only for supporters but for us as well. When we go out and play like that, dominate games - any other day we could have won three or four.

“So I can feel the supporters’ frustration, especially at home not getting the results when we dominated a game, and we should have really gone out and won these games. I understand the frustration.

“But we need them to play a role for us as well to stay on our side and be that extra support, that 12th man to get us through these games like this. For me, my message to them is to remain on our side and keep encouraging the boys to push on.”

Hibs now have the best part of two weeks off as the international break disrupts the domestic season. They return to action against Dundee United on October 19 – before hosting Hearts in the first Edinburgh derby of the season eight days later.