Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SportHibsHibs winger insists team cannot dwell on disappointment of frustrating stalemate

Hibs winger insists team cannot dwell on disappointment of frustrating stalemate

Hibs winger Glenn Middleton insists the players cannot dwell on the bitterly frustrating stalemate with St Johnstone after being denied victory with the last touch of the game.

Jason Kerr headed home in the fourth minute of injury time to claim a point for the Perth side, who twice responded to going behind to Adam Jackson and Flo Kamberi goals.

The club’s supporters also made their feelings clear, booing the decision to replace Scott Allan on the hour mark before greeting the final whistle with jeers.

Head coach Paul Heckingbottom then claimed anxiety from the stands seeped on to the pitch as the Leith side failed to hold on at the end.

However, on loan Rangers playmaker Middleton insists the players must keep perspective as they look ahead to this weekend’s trip to Motherwell.

Middleton said: “There is nothing worse in football, conceding a last minute goal, but at the same time we’ve done well throughout the game and created chances and I think next time we need to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal.

“We need to pick ourselves up, we can’t dwell on it too much. It’s a point and you never know what that will mean at the end of the season. 

“They all add up and it’s up to us to get three points next week. 

“We want to get back out there as soon as possible and try and put it right and I’m sure we will next weekend.

“It’s the little bits that we need to pick up on, second balls and things like that, just relieving the pressure when we need to, getting the ball as far away from our goal as possible and controlling the game a bit more.”

New signing Melker Hallberg watched on from the stands on Saturday just 24 hours after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.

The former Sweden under-21 internationalist has not played since losing a Danish relegation play-off clash with Vejle Boldklu in May but Heckingbottom hopes it will not take long for the 23-year-old to get up to speed.

Heckingbottom said: “We’ll have to see. He’s been keeping fit and the guys were happy with his fitness when he came in but it’s difficult to get him game time with the season being up and running. 

“We’ll have to work him very hard in training and see how he does.

“With that midfield slot, we were looking at the young boys. 

“Josh (Campbell) and Ben (Stirling) got a run out but we’ don’t feel they’re quite there yet.”

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