Things go from bad to worse for Hibs as they slump to the bottom of the table after conceding TWO stoppage time goals to Dundee United to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Ten-man Hibees lost captain Joe Newell to two yellow cards on 85 minutes and didn’t have long to try and see the game out with that numerical disadvantage and escape with the three points.
But Luca Stephenson found the equaliser for the Tangerines after two minutes of stoppage time. And after the game reached the NINTH added on minute, an error from goalkeeper Josef Bursik allowed Meshack Ubochioma to lift the winner over him.
It was a devastating way to lose a game of football but it was made worse by replacing rivals Hearts at the foot of the Premiership as they won at home to St Mirren.
- READ MORE: David Gray delivers Hibs red card verdict as boss takes ‘responsibility’ for Tannadice capitulation
David Gray under Hibs pressure
Hibees boss David Gray is very early into his reign as manager but fans are never going to be happy with the team bottom of the league.
There have defintely been good signs so far this campaign but they are on a bad run of results. Up next is the Edinburgh derby and the outcome of that could be pivotal in tems of Gray’s future and the route the club’s season takes.
Assessing the situation, Neil McCann told BBC Sportscene: “But there has been so much scrutiny. We’ve both (him and Barry Robson) had it where we’ve been in jobs and it’s not easy because results are not coming. And you know the work you put in, particularly when you’re under pressure, because you’re double checking everything.
“But when players are making decisions like that on the pitch and it’s costing you dearly, it’s a horrible situation. It’s gut-wrenching. The derby next week could be the worst thing for him, or it could be the best thing for him.”
- READ MORE: David Gray delivers Hibs red card verdict as boss takes ‘responsibility’ for Tannadice capitulation
Hibs urged to ‘stick with’ Gray
Robson was in a similar situation last season at Aberdeen, although he had credit in the bank after finishing third the campaign before.
But his Dons side got stuck in a rut akin to how the Hibees are going currently, and he ultimately lost his job. But he would like to see the Leith side stand by their man and allow him to benefit from the experience of sporting director Malky Mackay.
He insisted: “But he’s a young manager. They’ve got Malky Mackay above him. They’ve given him the opportunity, stick with him.
“I know results haven’t gone his way but you can see his enthusiasm. And, as I said, they’ve got Malky above him with a lot of experience to lean on.
“It’s amazing you talk about things like this eight games into a season. But it was just his experienced player that cost him today. I’ve been there myself as a player, I’ve been sent off. Joe Newell has done that today, and it does cost you.”