Softness seeping back into Hibs, says BBC pundit Michael Stewart as Livingston errors highlighted

Hibs players react after going 2-0 down to Livingston at Easter Road (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Dissecting the 3-0 defeat to Livingston at Easter Road on Saturday, the former Hibs and Hearts midfielder highlighted the individual errors that contributed to a second successive home defeat, while also identifying weaknesses in defence and midfield.

Hibs found themselves two goals behind inside just 16 minutes as the visitors’ struck through Josh Mullin and Jon Guthrie before former Hearts forward Scott Robinson rounded things off with a third three minutes after the break.

After racking up a nine-match unbeaten run before Christmas, Hibs have now lost three on the bounce and face a trip to Celtic Park on Monday, January 11 in their next outing as they attempt to get back on track in the race for a European spot.

Speaking on Sportscene, Stewart pinpointed areas where he feels the Easter Road side are falling short.

"There’s not enough pressure in the midfield,” he explained. “They’re playing 4-4-2 at the moment and I don’t think the two central midfielders are strong enough to play in there as a two. The two centre halves as well, when they get exposed cause problems. Look at the gap between the two central midfielders, they don’t close it quick enough and Livingston are quick on the break.

"Hibs conceded three goals in their first seven games this season. There was a marked change in that aspect of their game.

“It’s started to seep back into them where I think they’re too soft in that transition and that’s something [Livingston manager David] Martindale has highlighted.

“Quick transition, get in behind them but also you can get those spaces in between the lines because I don’t think they’ve got somebody that’s good enough to anchor the midfield just to make sure that everything is safe in that transition.”

Barnes and defence highlighted

Stewart was critical of Dillon Barnes for Livingston’s second goal, scored from a corner after the Hibs goalkeeper attempted to punch clear, while centre-halves Paul Hanlon and Ryan Porteous were also slammed for failing to prevent the visitors’ third.

“When you look at Dillon Barnes in goal that’s not good enough,” he added.

"That second goal is crucial and with nobody around him – nobody’s pushing or shoving or blocking the goalkeeper – he has to come, he has to react quicker and come and take that. Forget about punching it. He should be able to come out there and take that. He doesn’t and it leads to the second goal.”

On the loss of the third goal just four minutes after the break, which came from a long punt forward, Stewart added: “First of all, Ryan Porteous shouldn’t let it bounce. That’s a cardinal sin as a defender, but the two of them, Paul Hanlon has got to clear it. He runs past the ball.

"It’s great play from Scott Robinson, no question, but that is a thump up the park, two v one defensively, and under no circumstances can you allow the striker to score a goal here.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.If you haven't already, please consider supporting our sports coverage with a digital sports subscription.