Liam Craig: Hibs squad hoping to make amends

SKIPPER Liam Craig believes Hibernian’s players are well on the way to making amends for last season’s relegation after claiming second spot in the Championship.

Hibs skipper Liam Craig confronts referee Don Robertson during the Falkirk v Hibernian match on 2nd May 2015. Picture: Gordon Fraser

A fine 3-0 win over Falkirk on Saturday secured their status as runners-up ahead of Rangers - and a place in the play-offs semi-final.

Craig is well aware that there is still plenty of hard work ahead if they are to earn an immediate return to the top flight.

But he insists Hibs have now given themselves a fighting chance of winning promotion this season.

He said: “The aim at the start of the season was to redeem ourselves after last season.

“After a slow start to the campaign we’ve put ourselves in a great position - but that’s all it is. We’ve given ourselves a chance.”

Hibs had failed to claim a win over Falkirk in four previous attempts this season.

But Craig added: “I never had any doubts. It’s not a case of disrespecting Falkirk.

“We’ve got great belief and we’ve played well against Falkirk, even in the cup game a couple of weeks ago.

“It wasn’t that we didn’t play well, we just didn’t get that bit of luck on the day.

“We knew we’d create chances against them. We did that and we put three of them away.”

Goals from Martin Boyle, Jason Cummings and Dominique Malonga clinched a crucial win.

Craig said: “The boys showed great character because we knew Rangers were winning 2-0 at half-time.

“To go out in the second half and control the game the way we did was impressive.

“Everyone has a point to prove. And if we are to go up, everyone is going to have to play their part.”

Falkirk have the Scottish Cup final to look forward to but had to settle for a fifth place finish in the league.

Boss Peter Houston said: “I am disappointed with what happened during the season as we wanted to finish in the play-off spots.

“Queen of the South grabbed fourth place and all credit to them. I am a bit jealous of them for that fact.

“This has been a rebuilding job for Falkirk and we are a work in progress.

“We are in a national cup final and there are plenty of teams who would like to be in our shoes.

“All we need to do now is go out and win it.”

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