Hibs 2-0 Falkirk: Summit still within sight

Published on Monday 30 November 2009 08:54

CSABA LASZLO'S insistence earlier in the week that wins were all that mattered would have surprised few given the predicament his Hearts side had found themselves in.

But, in truth, the Tynecastle manager's words were just as pertinent for those clubs embroiled in one of the most intriguing top-of-the-table battles for quite a number of years.

His opposite number at Easter Road, John Hughes, would be one of the first to agree that Hibs have shown only glimpses of the sort of football they are capable of producing and, yet, his side have demonstrated an ability to grind out results when not at their best.

Nine SPL matches without defeat have propelled Hibs into joint second in the table alongside Rangers, just two points behind leaders Celtic at a time when, traditionally, the Old Firm are beginning to put the foot to the floor and motoring off into the distance, leaving the rest to fight it out for third place.

Many, of course, would argue the fact that Hibs, Dundee United and Motherwell still find themselves very much in touch is more to do with the deficiencies of the Glasgow outfits rather than their own abilities. But there's no denying that the chasing pack are showing a degree of consistency more associated with Scotland's big two, the upshot being, at least for the time being, a genuine four, or even five-way race.

"Nine undefeated, another clean sheet, I'll take that," said Hughes after watching his players clock up a fifth home win of the season, quickly adding the rider: "We are better than we showed."

Few would disagree having cast a glance over the players available to him but, as the Hibs manager observed, when he has match- winners such as Derek Riordan in his squad, games which may have been lost can be turned into draws while one flash, or in this case two, of the Scotland striker's genius can easily earn three points when only one appears possible.

It's a situation which Hughes appreciates, saying: "Even when we are not 'at it' I have players at my disposal such as Derek, Anthony Stokes and Colin Nish who can produce the goods. It's always nice to know you have that in your locker.

"No matter how it is going you know they will come up with the goods and that was the case in this game."

Hughes could well have added the names of Moroccan stars Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun to that list of potential match-winners but, as Hibs have shown in recent weeks, there is also a work ethic about his team as Riordan, a player for so long labelled as talented but perhaps a bit workshy, pointed out.

As a consequence, Hughes' side have now conceded just nine goals in 13 matches, a statistic which provides the platform for the headline grabbers further forward. Defender Ian Murray, one of Hughes' un-sung heroes in that regard, said: "We've been grinding out results when not at our best.

"We've been doing that for much of the season to be honest. We have not hit top form yet bar a couple of 45 minutes so far so to keep winning 1-0 or 2-0 is very satisfying.

"We keep hanging in there and results are going for us a bit as it seems one or other of the Old Firm is dropping points every week. It's making it exciting, not just for us, but other teams. Dundee United will be delighted they are still involved and if they win their game in hand against Rangers they'll go above both them and us."

While it may be a pleasant position to be in, Murray insisted that although others may be talking of the Old Firm being split or possibly even pipped to the title, he wasn't for indulging in such idle chit-chat.

He said: "It's not really something we've talked about too much. As regards third place, we'll just try to win as many games as we can. We were a bit disappointed to draw at Tynecastle and St Mirren but they were probably not bad results as they are two hard grounds to go to."

Having drawn three successive away matches, there was a tacit acknowledgement in the build-up to a game against the SPL's bottom club that it was a 'must-win' encounter if Hibs' European credentials were to stand up to scrutiny. Victory was duly achieved. It was perhaps not as comfortable as many might have anticipated, although Hibs were well worth their lead at the interval, their goal coming courtesy of a Riordan volley which skimmed the shins of Falkirk defender Brian McLean and into the far corner of the net.

There was more than a hint of an own goal but Riordan insisted it was his, a claim which Bairns boss Eddie May concurred, arguing the Hibs hitman was due the credit for his technique alone although he may have been less inclined to do so if he had heard the striker's description of how he took Zemmama's deep cross on the drop from beyond the far post.

He said: "To be honest, I actually lost the ball in the floodlights, it was in the air so long. I threw my leg at it and just tried to aim for the back post. I think it hit off one of their defender's shins and it's gone in."

Falkirk goalkeeper Robert Olejnik kept his side in the game with a stunning save from Colin Nish although both he and Zemmama were guilty of passing up decent earlier openings with the visitors, correctly, denied a goal when Ryan Flynn met a cut-back only to find assistant referee Gary Sweeney flagging the ball had gone out of play before it reached him.

As Murray pointed out, Hibs have found it difficult to string together a full 90 minutes, Falkirk enjoying much of the second half without being able to trouble Yves Ma-Kalambay, who had replaced the injured Graham Stack at half-time, other than an audacious chip from Pedro Moutinho which the towering Belgian Under-21 just managed to turn onto his bar.

And then the inevitable happened. David Wotherspoon made a superb run down the right before delivering an inviting cross for Riordan to lash home for his eighth goal of the season. Riordan said: "I had to wait for it and wasn't sure whether to place it or take a touch.

"I decided to go for power but the main thing was the result. I thought we played well in the first half but then we died a bit. I don't know what it was, but we didn't play much football, just the long ball up to Colin Nish. Overall, though, I don't think you can argue with the result."