Hibs have shipped nine goals in their last two games and questions have to be asked as to why their defence has deteriorated over the last two weekends.
A 5-3 victory after extra time was enough for Hibs to get past Championship side Morton and progress to the last eight of the League Cup.
Hibs just about edged Morton. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A whole range of issues were exposed against the Ton. In attack they look void of any quality outwith Florian Kamberi. The midfield department is lacking any real defensive grit and leadership.
Perhaps most worryingly, defence has became a big issue. They have shipped too many goals over the last couple of weekends. They had kept four clean sheets in a row prior to their 6-1 Ibrox thumping, so this is very much a new problem.
Paul Heckingbottom’s backline has went from sturdy and composed to completely wide open, but why is that?
Fitness has plagued Hibs’ defence
The big issue with the Hibees’ backline is their fitness issues. Many of his defensive options are or have been struggling with injury.
Defensive issues. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Against Morton he was able to select the reliable David Gray and Lewis Stevenson in the full-back positions. They weren’t entirely impressive, mainly due to the fact they still looked two or three weeks off the pace.
After the roasting full-backs Steven Whittaker and Sean Mackie were handed by Rangers, perhaps Heckingbottom threw in his star full-backs too quickly in an attempt to fix their woes.
Centre-back Darren McGregor was subbed after 12 minutes with injury against the Ton. That’s not ideal when they are trying to get Ryan Porteous back. The Hibees are still working him back to full fitness following an lengthy injury lay-off.
Porteous can’t be rushed back. (Photo by Callum Landells/Getty Images)
Of all the defenders currently employed by Hibs, only Whittaker, Adam Jackson, Paul Hanlon and Mackie have escaped injury. It highlights why Hibs have struggled for consistency in that area.
Injuries have really floored Hibs defensively these past few weeks and they’ve suffered because of it. Heckingbottom will be desperate to get everyone up to speed sooner rather than later.