Scott: Proud Of Disciplined Performance
Head Coach Grant Scott has expressed his pride in his players following their strong performance versus Rangers on Sunday afternoon.
The Glasgow club were league leaders heading into the match at Meadowbank but needed a stoppage-time equaliser to prevent the Hibees from taking all three points from the clash. Eilidh Adams had put Hibs in front in the first half from the spot before Rio Hardy's deflating leveller three minutes into added-on time.
While Rangers held more possession and mustered up more chances, Hibs had missed a second spot kick that could have extended their lead further during the second half and certaintly deserved a reward for their resolute defensive showing across normal time.
"I am delighted with the performance," said Scott despite the late agony. "I’m really proud of the group. All week we have worked really well to produce that level of performance today.
"But I'm a little bit disappointed. It was a disappointing time to lose the equalising goal and I felt that the reward of having a victory today would have been better for the players considering what they put into the game. That’s not to say that we deserved to win, I actually think we did without being disrespectful.
"We were playing against a top side and you have got to stay concentrated for the full 90 minutes. There’s a tinge of disappointment there because I thought the players deserved that one today."
Scott took the time to compliment every player in the squad - including those who did not feature in the game - for their efforts across the past week and ensuring past frustrating performances were not replicated once more.
"We had a great game plan today. I have criticised the players before for us having a plan and them not executing it properly. But today, we got every move and every action spot on.
"Rangers were good first half, they carved us open a couple of times and looked quite threatening. But, bar the shots off the woodwork, I thought we managed most of it pretty well.
"Credit to every player in the group. There were a couple of players who didn’t get on today as well that have played their part all week to help us get that disciplined performance today."
As time wore on, fresh legs were needed - with returning pair Rachael Boyle - who superbly deputised as a right-back - and Rosie Livingstone coming on.
Despite a bug spreading throughout the squad - which ruled out defender Stacey Papadopoulos entirely - the Hibees still performed to an extremely high level against top opposition.
"We’ve managed the whole squad this week," Scott told Hibs TV.
"We have players unavailable due to illness and players on the bench who probably should not be there because they aren’t well, so credit to them for being honest and answering honestly when I’ve asked how they are - because everyone wants to play.
"We’re raring to go and that’s the level of performance we can produce when we are all on the same page."