Hibs hoping to find a turn on the road

Having seen their expectation of six points from matches against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hamilton evaporate, Hibs fans will travel to Kilmarnock and Celtic Park this week more with a sense of hope than anything else.

But today Easter Road kid Danny Galbraith insisted two away tricky matches, at Rugby Park tomorrow night in the Cooperative Insurance Cup and against a Hoops side which has enjoyed 13 straight SPL wins under Neil Lennon, might just prove to be the turning point in Hibs' season. Given the stuttering start John Hughes' side have made - just one win in five matches as their home record now stretches to nine games without victory - Galbraith accepts few eyebrows will be raised should Kilmarnock emerge victorious while most will be backing a Celtic win on Saturday.

However, the winger believes the unpredictable nature of football might just provide some salvation just when it is needed most.

He said: "It's a tough week but football is a funny game.

"We need to turn our season around, and as soon as possible, so what better way to do it then when perhaps we are not expected to."

While the statistics may prove damning, just two points from four games following an opening day win over Motherwell at Fir Park, former Manchester United youngster Galbraith insisted they in no way tell the full story, one which, he claimed, bore more than a tinge of bad luck.

He said: "Of course it's a disappointment to have drawn against Hamilton, it was much the same story as last week with Caley when we should have taken the three points.

"But irrespective of who we are playing we should be looking to take six points from two games at home and we went out with every intention of winning both of them."

Galbraith admitted the fact Hibs had taken the lead against Inverness and Hamilton - Derek Riordan coincidentally opening the scoring in the eighth minute in each match - only to prove incapable of holding onto their advantage had probably served to heighten the frustration of the supporters who booed Hughes' players from the pitch on both occasions.

"We've taken the lead in both games," he said, "And if we defend well we win both of them 1-0, and it's disappointing we didn't manage it."

What frustrated Galbraith even more, though, was the conviction he'd played a major part in creating the chance for Colin Nish to score what might have proved to be the winning goal against Accies only for assistant referee George Drummond to raise the offside flag.

And that, he insisted, was yet another indication of the poor run of luck which he and his team-mates have been forced to endure in recent weeks, pointing to Edwin de Graaf's miss and Riordan striking the post from the spot against Caley while the striker again suffered the agony of seeing a superb free-kick leave the crossbar shaking with Hamilton goalkeeper Tomas Cerny beaten.

In each instance a touch of luck would have given Hibs a two-goal cushion and, most likely, victory.

He said: "It just goes to show what a thin dividing line there can be at times. We've been unfortunate but against Hamilton I think we had a good goal disallowed.

"I didn't think there was anything wrong with it at the time and a few of the boys who saw it on television immediately after the game said it was onside. Coming away with just a point again makes it all the more disappointing."

Galbraith well understands the growing unease of the fans, their displeasure voiced on the final whistle but the 20-year-old admitted that, while disappointed with their response, he had no gripe with supporters giving full vent to their feelings. "I don't have a bad word to say about the fans, they have been brilliant with me, every time I have come on they have cheered and given me their full backing which always gives me a lift.

But I am part of a team and what we need is to have everyone rallying together.

"No-one wants to be booed but as a professional player you have to realise it comes with the territory. As much as you want the fans on your side for the full 90 minutes, that's the way of the world and that's what happens when you are not winning as much as you would like.

"We are a big club, the fans expect us to win every week, especially at home. Everyone knows we are not going to do that but we are on a bad run and that's always going to happen, I'm sure it would be the same for Manchester United.

"Our supporters are the same as those at any club, they just want to see the team winning. But you cannot let it affect you as a professional, you have to try to block it out and take the three points.

"We are the ones on the pitch, it is up to us to turn it around and give them something to shout about by making sure we put in the performances."

Continual reference to the fact Hibs haven't won at home since a Riordan free-kick earned them victory over Kilmarnock at the beginning of March has irked Hughes, the Hibs boss pointing out virtually half that period was covered by the close season while Rangers (twice), Celtic, Dundee United, Hearts and NK Maribor provided the opposition prior to the visits of Inverness and Hamilton.

Hughes may have a case, but both he and his players know the bald statistics will be thrown at them until that new East Stand at Easter Road sees a Hibs triumph.

For his part, though, Galbraith insisted he wasn't allowing the current run get to him. He said: "It doesn't prey on my mind. I go onto the pitch looking to do my best in each game, every player is simply looking at trying to pick up our next three points as soon as possible and the sooner the better.

"Easter Road is a great stage to play on, the stadium is right up there with the best in Scotland, it's a great atmosphere to play in and we do want to turn it into a fortress, one of the hardest grounds in the country for opposition players to visit."