Hibs manager Paul Heckingbottom believes players digging each other out can only be good for his side.
They take on Hearts this afternoon in what is a massive game for the Hibees boss. His side currently sit tenth in the Premiership after five games.
Heckingbottom says that his players are starting to take aim at each other for not meeting standards, which he believes is the start of ‘good habits’ being formed.
He told the Daily Record: “We’ve got a good group of lads here but we need an edge. You’ve got to be honest with each other, you’ve got to tell people if they’re not doing their jobs.
“They’ve got to be willing to dig each other out, encourage each other and demand from each other. We’ve been practising it a bit in training and putting bigger expectations on the players.
“What you can’t do is accept what you get, you have always got to be striving and trying to get better, always, regardless of what your results are right at that moment. So it’s good habits, we’ve started building some good habits.”
Character is needed during Hibs v Hearts
What the Hibees have lacked in recent weeks is character. Especially in the matches against Motherwell and Kilmarnock, when they went 1-0 down, there was no way back.
Hibs players don’t seem to believe In their ability to bounce back from adversity. It has lead to some calls for Heckingbottom’s head.
Thankfully for them, they have the chance to start making amends today.
A derby against Hearts gives them a perfect opportunity. The visitors haven’t won in the league since March and a victory over them would not only pile the pressure on their Gorgie rivals, but take some of it off Heckingbottom.
According to their boss, training has been positive ahead of the Easter Road clash. It’s time for the players to stand up and be counted in what will be a tense game.