The key game that could be vital to Hibs European hopes as 'chasing' Leith pack has rival seeing big positive
Hibs drew at the weekend as they faced off against a direct rival for European football.
Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward reckons Saturday’s stalemate with Hibs could go a long way to deciding who claims the Premiership’s last European spot.
David Gray’s side frustrated the impressive Fir Park team managed by Jens Berthel Askou on their own turf, where they hadn’t lost since October prior to kick-off, but didn’t do much to cause them harm either in the 0-0 affair. Hibs arguably looked the likelier goal threat in the second half but mustered just a shot on target the full game.
While in isolation a point isn’t a bad result, it keeps Motherwell in fourth by a margin of six points ahead of Hibs in fifth, who are seeking European football. Fifth could turn into that position if Celtic win the Scottish Cup but hoping for that outcome last year ended in dismay for Hibs as league phase football in the Conference League was snatched away by Aberdeen’s cup success over the Hoops. Ward believes after Hibs made some ground up on Motherwell, Saturday’s draw could be enough to keep them at bay for now, and potentially in the long run.
Will Hibs qualify for Europe?
He said ahead of the international break: "It's a good time to get some training in and concentrate on things we haven't been as good at lately. Then we can come back after a rest and go again. The last two results meant we had Hibs chasing us and that point could come in handy. We know if we play at our best and go through all the gears we have, we know we can beat anyone in this league."
Motherwell have been widely lauded for a possession-based style that has made them a force to be reckoned with in the top six. It has put Ward in the position of sweeper keeper and Hibs’ Euro rival reckons the team have benefitted from sticking to their guns amid a risky approach that has spawned 20 clean sheets.
Ward added: "It's not just me. It's the full team and especially the defence helping to get those clean sheets. It's all down to the unit really. We have got clean sheets this season where I haven't done anything. So a lot of this has been down to the defensive unit 100 per cent. It's a pretty nice thing for me.
What is Motherwell’s style of play?
"Some of our players have spent most of their careers at full-back but are now playing in the middle of defence. And that's all down to the trust the manager has put in the players and it's all about the trust we have in each other. That has been really important in how we play. I have been asked to do a bit more of playing with the ball at my feet and when you start dribbling up the pitch, you just keep an eye out in case someone comes out of nowhere to press you.
"But a big part of that is having the trust in the boys around me who always give me options because if I don't have those options that's where the trouble happens. Luckily, the boys are good at that. I've been told to play higher in games.
“Against Rangers, we had a man down and I was told to play higher like a centre-half! It was probably a bit of a shock playing like that at the start of the season, but we have kept doing it and it's just normal now. It's just how we play and although it may still look risky at times, we have trust in each other to do it."