Hibs edge past Forfar but now have eyes on the bigger prize

Hibs captain David Gray stepped up to head home the only goal of the game as the Easter Road side struggled to see off their lower league opponent but now that they have found their stride, assistant manager John Potter says the club have set their sights on going all the way.

Hibernian's David Gray (right) celebrates his winner with Stevie Mallan during the Betfred Cup match against Forfar. Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group

The third match in a tough trio of Betfred Cup games in the space of a week, the strength and depth of the squad was tested due to international call-ups and a run of niggling injuries. But they emerged from a busy week with a full points complement to move to the top of their group and edge ever closer to booking a place in the next stage of the tournament.

“It’s a great competition for us, we want to win it so to get three wins to start with is good for us at this stage.

“It has been good for us to get minutes into players who hadn’t been playing.”

Both midfielder Stevie Mallan, who delivered the high quality set piece, and Gray who headed it home with just three minutes remaining, fall into that category and Potter was quick to praise them both.

“It was a bit of quality from Stevie Mallan to set up the goal.

“Forfar played well, we were not at the races at times but it was a clean sheet and we scored a quality goal.

“It was a difficult game but we hung in there and a little bit of quality got us through.

“It has been difficult with the call offs, but we have given some youngsters games so it’s been good for us.”

It was a cruel blow for Forfar, who are just returning to competitive action after the prolonged coronavirus shutdown of the lower leagues but their manager, Stuart Malcolm, was content with his team’s input.

“I can’t fault my team, we are a young side but I thought they were brilliant tonight.

“A bit of quality from the free kick undid us at the end, but I have to be full of praise after that performance.”