Hibs 'should be nowhere near' bottom - star forward Elding talks expectation, reality and role under new boss
Celtic, St Mirren and Hearts at Hampden in crucial week for club
Owen Elding insists he has no problem with new manager Marink Reedijk taking time to figure out exactly where players fit into a system that represents a dramatic break from axed gaffer David Gray’s game plan. And the Hibs attacker, who started yesterday’s home loss to Falkirk at centre forward after lining up on the right in the previous weekend’s defeat at Dundee United, admits players are well aware of exactly how serious things are after plummeting to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
Elding, asked where he fits into Reedijk’s ideal shape, admitted: “I'm not sure at the moment. Obviously, I played on the right last week, like you said. Different position against Falkirk.
“But I think he's trying to find the best position for everyone - and everyone at the right times as well. So, yeah, we've got a very good attacking line coming off the bench as well. Everyone's ready to step in, so it's just wherever the manager puts me on the day.”
Irish international scored lone goal for home side
Asked if he still has a preference to play in behind the striker, the Irish international admitted: “Yeah, I like the 10, but obviously, if he puts me in the 9 or on the right or on the left, I'm happy to do whatever for the team. So, yeah, I'm happy to play wherever.”
Defeat to Falkirk saw the Bairns leapfrog Hibs, while Kilmarnock also moved ahead of the Easter Road side thanks to a home win over Motherwell. Sitting rock bottom is not a comfortable position for anyone at the club.
“Yeah, it's not nice, especially a club of this size,” said Elding. “It should be nowhere near where we are, and the quality that's in the dressing room.
“But yeah, the lads understand the situation we're in now. Obviously, loads of football to be played from now until the end. So, it's just about getting into training tomorrow, going over the game, seeing what we can do better and improving and kicking on then.”
No need for panic
Admitting there’s a balance to be struck between acknowledging the severity of the situation and panicking over ground lost, Elding added: “Yeah, definitely. Like I said, we know the quality that's in the dressing room. We can beat anyone on our day.
“I think if we just cut out the mistakes in games, we give ourselves a really good chance of winning the game. Like I said, going 2-0 down, the game's done. We get back in the game then, we showed a bit of fight then.
“We got back in, had momentum, but we didn't really go anywhere with the momentum.I think they were always going to sit in the second half. They had something to hold on to. We had to go and take the game to them.
“So, yeah, look, we've just got to keep going now. We've got to put that behind us and move on.
“I feel we had control of the game for large periods. We just gave ourselves too much to do again.
“You can't keep giving away silly goals, especially at home. We want to make this place as tough as possible for people to come. At the moment, it just seems a bit easy for people to come and get results without working for it.”
Asked how Hibs can break the cycle of individual errors undermining performances, Elding said: “Just by sticking together. We've got the quality in the dressing room, we know that. It's just about sticking together now, keep going.
“Training's been really good lately. The intensity's there as well, so there's good signs. It's just bringing it into the weekend now and again.
“Look, we want to get results as soon as possible, always. We've got a massive game next week, so that's all we can focus on at the moment, getting the result we need next week.”
Celtic at Easter Road is next up for Hibs, followed by a midweek trip to Paisley to face St Mirren – and then a Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden against Hearts. To call it a crucial run of fixtures for the club would be something of an understatement.
Looking ahead to facing the champions first, Elding said: “Yeah, the game doesn't get any bigger, so I'm sure the lads will be really up for it. Obviously, three massive games coming up.
“St Mirren in the week and then, obviously, the derby in at Hampden. So we’re looking to turn it around as quickly as possible – and hopefully we can get results.”