Michael Weir: It's tough in a pandemic but Hibs must invest to topple Aberdeen

The disappointing performance at Pittodrie on Friday left me thinking that Hibs still have a long way to go to compete for third place with Aberdeen.

Hibs manager Jack Ross cuts a picture of frustration during his side's 2-0 defeat at Aberdeen on November 06, 2020 (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

The club needs to find a way of winning against these bigger sides because at the moment we've not got it.

Going up there was always going to be tough and we needed to get a good start to the game to give ourselves a chance but losing two goals that early on made it an uphill struggle and we just never got going.

Aberdeen, as they did at Easter Road, just looked a stronger, more experienced side and got the job done. I don't think they were particularly great but they've got that experience of winning these types of games that Hibs lack. That's what has got them up to second or third in the league over the past few years.

At the same time I don't think we should get too caught up in it because that is an Aberdeen side that's been well put together by Derek McInnes over a number of years and hopefully that's what Jack will be able to build. It takes time – and money – to build up a squad of their stature, and Jack Ross has not really had that.

We definitely need a stronger squad and more experienced players if we want to get into the top three or four positions because at the minute the squad isn't strong enough, it's as simple as that. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I just look at us and think if we lose a few players we'll struggle.

Having said that, Jack has only just started building his own squad, so he's got to be given time. To think we can just go get right into a top four place straight away is very optimistic but hopefully over the next three or four months Jack get another chance to recruit.

To be fair to him he has tried to get players in. It's not happened and it's down to spending what you need to spend. If he's not got money available to attract these players then you're just going to be set at a certain level – and that's not good enough for HIbs. We've got to be pushing on and trying to get a stronger squad together to try to push the likes of Aberdeen at the top of the table.

If the ambition of the club is to try to get into Europe then they have to spend money. It's as simple as that, and the manager needs more backing to attract better players.

What's happening at the moment with the Covid situation makes it more difficult and teams are having to cut their cloth. But somewhere along the line you have to realise that if you are sitting in fifth or sixth place and not willing to spend money then that's where you'll end up. You won't push on.

For me, a club of Hibs stature should always be looking to get into the European places, but it's all about finances and what's made available to be put towards doing that.

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