Without a manager and low on confidence, Hibs needed a Martin Boyle penalty to salvage a point from this afternoon’s home clash with Aberdeen. In their first outing since the midweek sacking of David Gray, if felt as if home fans were happy to take any crumb of comfort they might find.
Former Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet came back to haunt his old club with an opener for Aberdeen with just over a quarter hour of the game gone. Skipper Boyle’s penalty just after the hour mark dragged the home side back into the contest.
The hosts pushed hard in pursuit of a winner, without ever bringing blistering levels of quality to the contest. But at least they’ll head into the long international break having avoided setting a new club record of seven consecutive home league losses – a fate that looked on the cards for at least a little while this afternoon.
If you could hardly call this the start of a new era, there is at least something to build on. Even if there are flaws all over this squad.
Interim boss Potter initially opted to make five changes from the starting XI who succumbed so meekly to Kilmarnock in Gray’s final game just a few days ago, bringing Martin Boyle, Owen Elding, Miguel Chaiwa, Jamie McGrath and Grant Hanley into the line-up. Yet there was more injury drama to come even before a ball had been kicked in anger, with McGrath pulling out during the warm-up.
In came Callum Wright, with the lesser-spotted Azeem Abdulai promoted from a place in the stand to a seat on the bench. If they didn’t have bad luck etc …
After a muted reception from supporters who not exactly spilling out of every available nook and cranny at Easter Road, with many choosing simply to stay away, Hibs did little to lift the mood with the quality of their play. As poor as anything they’d produced under the departed gaffer, this was the most sluggish of starts.
And they paid the price with 16 minutes on the clock, former Hibee Chris Cadden – enjoying his birthday – setting up the breakthrough with a driving run infield from the right. He found Gavin Molloy, whose shot/cross hit the feet of Nisbet.
The former Scotland striker’s touch, turn and finish were all excellent. His celebrations in front of the Hibs fans exactly what you’d expect.
An inability to build play, either from the back through or through midfield, constantly hampered Hibs, who were left relying on individual flashes of brilliance to create anything. On that front, Wright – deservedly dropped until McGrath’s injury – at least showed a couple of bright moments.
His mazy run on the right, leaving two Aberdeen defenders trailing, put in a ball that had Elding challenging with the away keeper. The ball easily could have ended up in the back of the net, but for an unlucky deflection.
And a Wright run into the box from the left wing set up a chance for Chaiwa to shoot. But the midfielder’s effort from just inside the box went sailing well over the bar.
But Aberdeen looked the better team, the more composed side. The group of players in possession of at least a little confidence.
Early in the second half, Olutoyosi Olusanya demonstrated his threat twice in the space of a minute or so, shooting wide as the Dons hit quickly on the break – and then seeing a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside. Hibs were anything but comfortable, with or without the ball.
Still, with Elding showing wit in the final third, they had a slugger’s chance. And duly took it when Jason Kerr was dragged down while rising to connect with a Chaiwa corner, referee Nick Walsh not hesitating to award a penalty.
Boyle converted with power, thumping the ball past Marius Muller with real venom. Would this spark a proper revival in home ranks?
In a contest between two teams lacking real threat in the final third, it always felt as if a mistake might settle it. And there were more than a few hairy moments at either end of the pitch.
The closest Hibs came, arguably, was when a belting Wright free-kick from the left wing fizzed off the head of substitute Ante Suto at the back post. A half chance, maybe more.
Hibs don’t play again until October 10. Plenty of time to work on problems. And to appoint someone capable of turning this group into something more formidable.
9. CAM Callum Wright
6.5/10 Dropped from the team then promoted from the bench because of Jamie McGrath’s injury, the English midfielder was the most creative and dangerous player in the home ranks. Replaced by Newell with just over 10 minutes remaining. | SNS Group
10. CF Martin Boyle
6/10 Covered a lot of ground and worked as hard as ever. No messing about at the penalty. | SNS Group
11. CF Owen Elding
6/10 Brought some genuine wit and invention to the final third. Not easy in a team struggling with the ball.
