Livingston midfielder and Hibs hero Marvin Bartley doesn’t think Paul Heckingbottom will be fighting for his job at Easter Road just yet.
His former side take on Hearts in what is a huge game for both parties. Hibs are currently in ninth, whilst Hearts are rooted to the bottom of the Premiership.
Both sides are struggling right now. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Some Hibs fans may want Heckingbottom out, but Bartley reckons that won’t happen anytime soon.
He told the Scotsman (18/09/19, page 61): “Paul will be under a lot of pressure – but from himself. I know he is a man with high standards. He is somebody who wants to win and play the right way. But, from the board, I don’t think he’ll be under a lot of pressure right now.
“When Neil Lennon left the club and they were looking for a new manager, they wanted a boss who ticked certain boxes for the direction they wanted to go.
Bartley reckons Hibs chiefs like Leean Dempster will remain patient with Heckingbottom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“Paul Heckingbottom was the man they chose and after five games this season I don’t think that’s changed.”
Heckingbottom will be if Hibs suffer derby setback
Bartley seems pretty confident that the Englishman isn’t under pressure from the board just yet. He seems to believe they will be patient with the Easter Road boss.
Some of that good will may evaporate if Hibs even draw, or worse, face defeat on Sunday. The ‘Heckingbottom out’ movement will be in full swing if the Jambos record a first league win since March in Leith.
Defeat isn’t an option. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Hibs’ under-fire manager knows that the pressure is on though. One win from five certainly isn’t good enough and they can’t afford to stall in the bottom six for much longer.
Livingston’s new midfielder seems to back Heckingbottom to keep the job a while yet. For that to happen, results need to turn for the better, and quickly.