Three things that provide Hibs hope in European charge and areas to improve after renewed optimism

A week on from their own painful battle at Dens Park, Hibs collected a touch of hope from those at Dundee, as they hunt European football.

Sitting fifth in the Premiership after their 3-3 draw with Steven Pressley’s side, David Gray’s team sat seven points off Motherwell, the last guaranteed European spot in the top flight. The Steelmen had lost just three games all term prior to their game in hand versus the Dark Blues, which if won, would likely have put fourth out of reach for Hibs through a 10-point gap on top of their superior goal difference.

Many expected them to rock up and take three points but anyone of a Hibs persuasion would have told you this was far from the likely reality, and that played out in encouraging fashion for Gray and co, with Pressley’s team sealing a 2-1 win. Hibs still have two games to play against Motherwell this season and this result gives the club more impetus in trying to topple the Fir Park side, rather than hoping for an Old Firm-themed Scottish Cup win. So what should give them hope and where do Hibs need to improve for a late run up the table? We take a look.

Josh Mulligan return

He might not be back within the next few weeks but Mulligan has not been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle blow he picked up in January. His presence in midfield has been noticeable, often the driving heartbeat of this Hibs team, since his arrival from Dundee last summer. An April return could beckon for the battler and that’d be massive for Gray, getting him back for big fixtures against the Old Firm, Hearts and another tussle with Motherwell. That latter clash would also likely be at Easter Road, with two games at Fir Park pre-split.

Cut out the late goals

Cameron Congreve’s goal in second half stoppage time was again another case of late woe for Hibs. It was the seventh time Hibs have conceded in second half stoppage time across all competitions this term and that number goes to 11, if you want to include goals scored after 89 minutes, and the 119th minute effort Midtjylland netted to put the club out of Europa League qualifying last summer. Hibs will play the best of the best for most of the rest of this season and leaving themselves open towards the end of matches would have them open to more late pain against clinical opposition.

Fixture schedule

Once you get beyond the split, it’s a bit of a lottery, and especially this season. It’s proper dog each dog territory so that makes the matches before it even more important. Motherwell have to go to Parkhead and Tynecastle, before hosting Hibs and Falkirk. After matchday 33, they’d possibly be lined up for Falkirk Stadium, Ibrox and Easter Road excursions. There are two direct chances for Hibs to take points off Motherwell and they have Livingston, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen in other fixtures, three bottom six sides not in great form. Get within a couple by matchday 33 and it’s game on.

Goals against

It’s not a cardinal sin when you compare with the rest of the league, but Hibs probably do need to tighten up a little bit in defence, especially if they are to catch Motherwell with that now the key task. They’ve matched the Steelmen for goals scored but have conceded 15 more, which is part of the reason why they ultimately seven adrift of them at present. A shoring up at the back should see Hibs perhaps turn a defeat into a draw and a draw into a win.

Attacking arsenal

For what they perhaps need to strengthen in defence, Hibs have so much for them going forward. Owen Elding and Ante Suto have made instant impacts when it comes to goalscoring since their winter transfer arrivals, replacing Kieron Bowie effectively by committee. Martin Boyle will be keen to sign out on a high as he prepares to make an emotional exit from Hibs, Dane Scarlett has shown he’s got pace and power, and Elie Youan brings a maverick nature. They won’t want locked in a shootout but Hibs do have the firepower to worry opposition defences.