Hibs players yet to earn Scottish Cup places

“I don’t think too many came off the park today who’d have a moan if they’re not in the team next week,” Fenlon said.

“We probably only had three or four get pass marks. So it’s a big week for people in training now if they want to play in a semi-final. They’re going to have to work tremendously hard to prove that to me because I didn’t see it today and I’m disappointed.”

It was not the margin of defeat against a rampant Celtic, but the manner of it that most troubled Fenlon, pictured. Dundee United’s late winner against Aberdeen meant even a win for Hibs at Celtic Park would not have propelled them into the top six. But the Irishman slammed his team for failing even to compete on falling behind after 14 minutes.

“We don’t mind losing games but there’s a way to lose them,” the Hibs manager said. “We didn’t show enough commitment, or have a belief to give ourselves a chance of getting in the top six and that’s more disappointing than anything. There was acceptance rather than a desire to give ourselves some sort of a fighting chance.

“It gives me a lot to think about for next week because that wasn’t good enough. We know this is a hard place to come but you have to have more passion not to lose goals and games as easily as we did.”

One of the goals conceded was of the illegitimate variety with Mikael Lustig knocking in a Chris Commons cross with his hand to put Celtic 3-0 up inside an hour.

“It’s a blatant handball but we haven’t had the rub of the green on decisions over the last while so it’s just another one to add to the collection,” said Fenlon.

Since November, when Hibs were entertaining thoughts of finishing second in the table, the Easter Road club have turned in far too many guff performances to create an unwanted collection.