Hibs were given a chance of beating Celtic in yesterday’s Scottish Cup tie after going 15 games without losing.
As it was, the Hibees battled hard and made things tricky for their hosts but ultimately came up short with a 2-0 win for Celtic.
The visitors were always in the game but conceded a damaging opener from Daizen Maeda just before the break, minutes after key man Nicky Cadden had gone off with a hamstring injury. They continued to defend pretty well and stay in it until Adam Idah made it two in the 92nd minute.
David Gray admitted he could have no complaints with the final score given how the game had gone. He did feel his side gave a good account of themselves but could’ve done more in attack.
Former Hibee turned pundit Scott Allan had a similar view on how the game went.
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Allan looking for more from Hibs going forward
The Kelty Hearts midfielder was impressed with how his former club defended at the toughest venue in the country.
But they didn’t carry enough threat and he was looking for more from them in an attacking sense.
Allan had given Hibs praise for what they did on the ball against Hearts but it wasn’t the same story here.
He said on BBC Scotland’s Scottish Cup highlights: “I think David will be delighted with the endeavour and how his team did defend, especially against Celtic’s counter attacks, for large parts of the game.
“But if we’re looking at it in terms of the game I think he’d have been hopeful for Hibs to carry much more of an attacking threat, especially when they did get into some of the attacking areas they did.
“Although you are coming up against a Celtic side who control and are very patient when they’re on the ball. So they all knew how difficult the task was but maybe for much more of an attacking threat in they moments they did have.
“I felt early doors they handled what Celtic were throwing at them. We know Celtic are going to come flying out the traps, Hibs got numbers in these central areas to try and put pressure on these players.
“These are the part of the game David Gray will de delighted with. There was always bodies in the way and that will delight him.
“If you don’t defend like that it’s hard to stay in the game, and they did for large spells.”
Hibs too indecisive
Putting his finger on exactly where Hibs went wrong, Allan felt they were too indecisive when on the ball in promising positions.
They would take too long to play a pass, take too many touches or simply take the wrong option.
He added: “I just felt they were very indecisive when they did get into good areas.
“I think here is a very important one. Martin Boyle is someone who I have played with, he should know his strength is space. If he comes off the blind spot of Carter-Vickers it gives the guy on the ball a bit of space to run into, but he doesn’t.
“It then falls to Josh Campbell, I think he can do that pass in two touches. Play that in front and it’s the difference between getting across.
“When you’re away against a side like Celtic those fine details are everything for you to maybe get a shot on goal or get back in the game. Ultimately Hibs today just didn’t have that bit of quality.”