Hibs boss Pat Fenlon urges side to hold nerve in crucial Inverness encounter

Fenlon’s side go into the match four points behind Caley and separated from Dunfermline in bottom place in the league table only by goal difference.

Defeat for both Hibs and the Pars – who take on Motherwell at Fir Park – could see the pair isolated from the rest of the pack and facing a grim battle against the drop.

And Fenlon, having watched his side implode yet again as they crashed 3-1 to Dundee United at the weekend despite having taken the lead, admitted there is a mental fragility among his players which is at the root of many of their problems.

Hibs have managed just three wins in 19 matches so far and have scored only 17 goals, the fewest of any of the top 12 clubs, facts which Fenlon believes has led to an anxiety and loss of confidence.

He said: “When we concede a goal we get very, very nervous. That takes over, rather than thinking about our game plan that may have gone well for 40 or 50 minutes.

“You concede a goal, it’s not