'Top class' Hibs give Michael Stewart hunch over Marink Reedijk after sparking Aberdeen calamity
Hibee heroics at Pittodrie led to a managerial sacking
Pundit Michael Stewart reckons the only way is up for ‘top class’ Hibs under Marink Reedijk after their comfortable victory against Aberdeen.
The Hibees were good value for their 4-0 hammering at Pittodrie - a result which was the final straw for Dons boss Stephen Robinson, who was subsequently sacked. But while chaos descends on the Granite City, on the Premier Sports Social Club, Stewart explained why there’s plenty of room for positivity in Leith.
Having defeated Hearts at Hampden the previous week to secure a place in the Premier Sports Cup final, the Aberdeen humbling made it two wins in two for Reedjik’s men. The Hibees have now moved off the foot of the Premiership table into 10th place ahead of the international break.
Why does Stewart think there’s ‘growth to come’ at Hibs?
With an exciting new style of play, results turning around and a cup final against Rangers to look forward to, former Hibs and Hearts midfielder Stewart thinks the Dutch manager has brought back an air of optimism to Easter Road - and fully expects them to build on their recent success.
He said: “I've got to say that Hibs were top class. They were absolutely top class. And for Marink Reedijk, you could start to see that Hibs have got a lot of growth to come. I think that the all-round performance from Hibs was really, really good. You can start to see the balance, the shape, the tactics for them. So it looks like a positive, upward surge for Hibs, for me.”
On the contrary, for Aberdeen, Saturday’s result sparked a blame game at Pittodrie. Robinson’s dismissal means the Dons have now rattled through six managers in five years. In turn, Stewart wonders whether changes will have to be made at the top for them to see long-term success. He believes questions need to be asked of Chairman and life-long Aberdeen fan, Dave Cormack, who was responsible for Robinson’s appointment last season.
Hibs spark Aberdeen calamity
He continued: “For Aberdeen, it's another season where you're wondering, ‘what is it going to be?’ What are Aberdeen? And I think there are bigger questions now for Aberdeen. I really do like Dave Cormack as a guy. He's done so much in regards to what he's put into the club. But I actually think that it is now a hindrance that he’s a fan.
“He's so emotionally invested in it and you can't be when you're getting involved in this. For example, when Stephen Robinson was appointed, it felt like a panic. It felt like an emotional decision rather than a strategic decision. Was he just appointed to save them just there and then? Or was it for a long-term appointment? To me, it was emotional, the decision. It was impulsive - and it doesn’t allow time to plan and strategically move forward.”
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