Hibs pitch is 'a bit of a mess', says Paul McGinn, claiming it is making life difficult for players

Paul McGinn has raised concerns about the state of the Easter Road pitch and the impact it is having on the Hibs players’ ability to move the ball quickly as they struggle to rack up victories on the home patch.

Hibs defender Paul McGinn shows his frustration as Ross County's Harry Paton (left) celebrates his opener during Wednesday night's defeat to Ross County at Easter Road. Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group)

On Wednesday, Jack Ross’ men lost out to lowly Ross County, adding to an unenviable record of just three home wins, five draws and two defeats in the league this term.

It adds to the more troubling statistic of not winning back to back games while on Premiership business at their own stadium since 2018, with draws proving the dominant outcome over the past two and a half seasons.

It has not stopped them from challenging at the top end of the table this term, boasting vastly superior form on the road, but with the usual difficulties associated with winter time bad weather and a glut of seven home fixtures in the past 11 games, the Easter Road playing surface is beginning to prove a big problem, as the team seek to redress the balance at home, according to McGinn.

Addressing the midweek defeat, the experienced right-back conceded that the performance against former Hibs manager John Hughes’ side, as well as the result fell short of the squad’s own expectations. And while he admitted the players needed to look at themselves, he said there was no doubt that the condition of the pitch, which has been looking increasingly-patchy, had played its part in their performance.

“It wasn’t very good at all,” said McGinn. “They scored a good goal on the break which killed us but the pitch is a bit of a mess and we were having to take an extra touch which made it all too slow.”

With Livingston the latest side to turn up in Leith, for this afternoon’s head to head, McGinn is hoping that some emergency work has been conducted to aid the Hibs’ players.

“I don’t know what could be done about the pitch in the two days [between games] but maybe the fox that’s cutting about can roll it! Hopefully it will be in a better nick for that game.”

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