Fraser Fyvie tips Hibs to bounce back against Falkirk

Fraser Fyvie believes he and his team-mates will rise to the occasion tonight as they go head-to-head with Falkirk in the race for second place in the Championship table.

Hibernian's Fraser Fyvie wants to overhaul Falkirk which would mean two fewer play-off games for the Easter Road club. Picture: Ross Brownlee/SNS

Hibs have slipped off the pace in recent weeks, dropping six points behind Peter Houston’s side following their shock defeat by relegated Alloa Athletic at the weekend.

But while they have two matches in hand over the Bairns, Fyvie admitted every game the Capital club now play has assumed a “must-win” mantle after a miserable run of just one victory in their last seven league matches.

Three defeats in the space of just six days at the end of February ended Hibs’ title challenge. Rangers took advantage by securing the Championship last week and the one automatic promotion place, leaving Alan Stubbs’ players, Falkirk and Raith Rovers to battle it out in the play-offs.

However, both Hibs and Falkirk covet second place, a finish which would leave them with two fewer play-off matches to play, an important point particularly as far as the Edinburgh outfit are concerned. Tiredness could be a factor as Hibs went all the way to the final of the League Cup and entertain the hope of a Scottish Cup final appearance if they can overcome Dundee United in Saturday’s semi.

All focus, though, is on tonight’s encounter with Falkirk, Fyvie admitting that he could hardly have envisaged the scenario which engulfed Hibs when he was forced to look on helplessly, the victim of a knee injury which saw him miss 13 matches.

The midfielder returned for the weekend trip to the Indodrill Stadium only for the agony to continue.

“It was great to be back,” admitted the former Aberdeen and Wigan player, “But the result was very disappointing. It’s been tough just watching, not being able to play and to help do anything about it but these things happen to most teams during the course of a season.

“You can’t point to a specific thing, you just have to soldier on and so we go again tonight. That’s what the manager has said, we believe it. We have a tight bunch of boys here, no-one is having a go at anyone and we are all pulling in the same direction.”

Despite a season which was going so well taking a nosedive, Fyvie insisted that other than dented pride, Hibs’ prime target – a return to the Premiership – remained achievable, claiming that things can just as quickly turn in the opposite direction again.

He said: “We have a good enough squad to go and compete and win games. Unfortunately we’ve had a dip in form which we want to put behind us by getting the three points tonight and catching Falkirk.

“No-one has mentioned this being a crisis, it’s not that at all. We wanted to win the league, it didn’t happen. Rangers did it and fair play to them.

“Now we want second place and two fewer games to play. Everyone knows we’ve had a lot of games this season, being involved in the two cups as well as the league, so second place would be good for us.

“Falkirk have a good squad of players, there’s been nothing between the teams who both want promotion. I think both will be going for it tonight which should make it an enjoyable game.”