Hibs boss David Gray admits Joe Newell’s red card was irrelevant as he witnessed his side surrender a 2-1 lead in stoppage time to lose against Dundee United.
United had taken an early lead at Tannadice via Sam Dolby but two headers from Warren O’Hora and Dwight Gayle had Hibs in the driving seat for all three points.
However, it all started to fall apart for the Hibees when Newell received a second yellow card for a rash challenge in the 85th minute as United sniffed blood.
Jim Goodwin’s men then took advantage of some more very poor Hibs defending to score two late goals and snatch an incredible victory that sees the Terrors continue their good start to the campaign.
For Hibs, it was another soul-destroying Saturday afternoon and Gray said there can be ‘no excuses’ for how his side collapsed despite going down to ten men.
Gray on Joe Newell’s Hibs second yellow
Asked on BBC Sportsound if there was a few home truths delivered in the away dressing room after the match, Gray replied: “Yeah, I think some of them were not even required because everyone knows exactly what the issue was again today.
“It’s hugely frustrating for the reason of actually showing a bit of resilience initially to come back from 1-0 down and then getting back into the game and going in front.
“And then unfortunately we’ve been in this movie before, you’re on a yellow card and you just can’t do that. Whether it is a foul or not a foul, I’m not going to stand here and make excuses at all.
“But from that moment on, we needed to be better but failed to come up with the answers again. Listen, when you are down at the bottom and underperforming, things do seem to go against you and everything gets magnified.
“It certainly feels like that way at the moment. We are getting punished all the time for individual errors and decision-making but I’m not going to make excuses – I am responsible for that as the head coach and take it on the chin.
“It’s up to me for us to stick together and work as hard as we can to make sure we put this right because I do believe that we will. I see enough good things in the game but at the same time, there is an accountability required right across the board.”
Gray rejects Hibs ‘softness’ defensively
It was put to Gray whether he thinks Hibs have a soft centre defensively as has been evidenced throughout most of the season so far. But he rejects that claim.
He continued: “I don’t like the word ‘softness’. I think it’s dealing with the adversity side of it. When we are up against and when we are asked questions at times, we’re not coming up with the answers.
“Again the ricochet, decision-making at the third (Dundee United) goal with the goalkeeper coming off his line, he’s trying to do the right thing he believes is right, nobody does these things on purpose. But again, we go and get punished.
“Now if things were going well, does the ball hit the bar and go over the bar rather than under the bar? Maybe. But these are excuses and all irrelevant.
“What we need to do is fully focus on us and getting better and make sure we keep hammering that home every day to turn this round because at this moment in time, it’s nowhere near good enough and it’s my responsibility to turn it round.”