Hibs were left frustrated at Forthbank in League Cup action recently, drawing 1-1 with League Two side Stirling Albion. Manager Paul Heckingbottom has weighed in on why the Hibees failed to break down the Binos.
Scott Allan registered his first Hibs goal from the penalty spot. A David Wilson stunner cancelled that out though, before the Easter Road side eventually won the shootout to claim the bonus point.
Heckingbottom knew the Stirling clash would be no easy ride.
He told NTOF and the assembled media: “The two things that stood out to me were missing chances and the ugly side of the game, the tackles, the runners, the bits that matter to win games.
“I thought it would be really tough, we’re going to have to earn every point we get. Any game away from home in the cup is tough but we knew it would be difficult. It’s a small place as well which didn’t help us.
“We missed chances that you have to bury. Even though we’ve been scoring goals in the other three games, we’ve missed a hell of a lot of chances. Whilst we’re pleased we’re creating lots of chances, you need to be more clinical.”
Stirling Albion boss Kevin Rutkiewicz delighted with Hibs result
Heckingbottom’s frustration is a contrast to what Binos boss Rutkiewicz was feeling after the game. He watched his Stirling side battle valiantly and turn in one of their better performances under his reign.
For the Bino’s now, even though they are pleased with the result, he wants to prove this wasn’t a freak result.
He told NTOF and the assembled media: “I’m delighted. It’s the first time we’ve asked a lot of boys to go beyond half time. I asked for three things today, to do the basics well, to match runners and not concede from a set play, which we done, technically.
“They’re Premiership opposition. They’ve not got a weakness. They are strong, they’re athletic and they have a wee bit of ability on top of that.
“I asked them to win the second half and they done that. I’m absolutely delighted. The goal was was a real bit of quality and it matched all the quality Hibs had showed throughout the game.
“I think if the Hibernian strikers are a wee bit more sharper they might put a couple of them away. We now need to back this up. If we go in against Arbroath and we get our pants pulled down a wee bit, this becomes a fluke. We’ll now move on to that one.”