Hibs midfielder Stevie Mallan has criticised his teammates following a disastrous derby performance.
The Scotsman had put the home side ahead against Hearts via a wonderful long range effort. Uche Ikpeazu and Aaron Hickey goals soon after though sealed a 2-1 win for the away side.
Ikpeazu got one as Hearts beat Hibs 2-1. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Mallan believes that even though boss Paul Heckingbottom is under pressure, the players must be also following a woeful performance.
He told Edinburgh Live: “It’s not just the manager, everyone is in it together. He has to find his best XI and right now the boys on the park aren’t doing it.
“It’s not just the manager and the coaching staff, it’s every player as well. If we win, everyone gets the accolades. When you lose, the full team should get criticism. I don’t think it’s fair to single out the manager.
Hibs players have to take accountability reckons Mallan. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
“It wasn’t good enough. As soon as we scored we let Hearts get on the ball and get in to the game when we should be capitalising on us scoring a goal and that didn’t happen.”
Mallan contributed, but overall the players let Hibs down
It was a pretty gutless display from the Hibs players, although Mallan at least contributed a goal. On another day, that strike may be remembered as a goal of the season contender.
His shot from roughly 30-35 yards out was hit with deadly accuracy, leaving Hearts keeper Joel Pereira helpless.
Mallan did net a screamer. (Photo by Callum Landells/Getty Images)
Like the rest of his Hibs teammates though, the overall performance just wasn’t good enough. Apart from that moment, Mallan himself was posted missing for much of the game.
He wasn’t the only one on what was a bad day for Hibs. Neither side were great, but Hearts wanted to win more than the Hibees did, which will worry supporters.
With the club 11th in the Premiership table and fixtures against Aberdeen and Celtic in the league to come, it could be a rough couple of weeks for Hibs.