Murray: Hibs should aim for top four

Ian MURRAY today claimed Hibs can still claim a top-four finish – as caretaker boss Billy Brown warned the Easter Road skipper and his team-mates they need to “get the finger out” if they are to avoid a relegation fight.

Defeat by Dunfermline left the Edinburgh club just one point off bottom place in the SPL and cost Colin Calderwood his job, the former Scotland defender axed just 24 hours afterwards.

However, as Murray pointed out, despite a miserable start to the season, Hibs are just six points off fourth place and he believes his team are still capable of climbing away from their current position of ninth.

Murray said: “I’m not going to say we are going to set the world alight, but I think we’ve got the capabilities of finishing in the top four going on what I’ve seen of the other teams.

“A couple of good results and we’re right up there. The consistency level is obviously worrying, but outwith Motherwell, Rangers and Celtic, who are starting to look better, the majority of the sides will have that inconsistency level. Ability-wise, I think we’re as good as anyone else – we’re better than some but we need to stop shouting about that and win games.”

Brown agreed with Murray to the extent that Hibs still have most of the teams above them well in their sights – but only if they start winning. He said: “If they do not start winning things are going to get a bit sticky but two victories either way can square up the league. But you cannot keep getting beaten, if you do then you will be in a relegation battle.

“The league is so tight but November becomes February very quickly and if you are being beaten you run out of games very quickly.”