Hibs fans have seen many a capitulation from their side over the years but none which have led to the ultimate ignomy – relegation.
Despite being backed by around 19,000 supporters the set of imposters masquerading as Hibernian players once again showed a complete lack of appetite, a familiar story throughout the season, and threw away a two goal advantage to lose on penalties.
Every single player on the park should be embarrassed at today’s loss but this lot just don’t care.
From the moment Jason Scotland put Accies ahead in the 13th minute courtesy of a Ryan McGivern mistake there was only one team wanting to win the game.
Terry Butcher, a playing legend who would have ran through brick walls for his team, must shoulder the blame for today’s abject performance alongside the hopeless ‘stars’ on the park.
The Hibs gaffer sent his players out with a negative set up, abandoning the successful 4-4-2 formation from midweek to his preferred 5-4-1 and from the outset it was clear they thought they’d done enough after Wednesday’s 2-0 victory at New Douglas Park.
However, the mistakes of the season past continually showed not one of the players had learnt their lesson from them.
Michael Nelson turned in arguably his worst performance of the season which in itself is no mean feat whilst captain Liam Craig was that bad he may even find the Championship a struggle.
This Hibs side has been found wanting on so many occasions this season, today typified their ‘effort’ in so much as Kevin Cuthbert in the Accies goal could have stayed at home as seldom as he touched the ball in 120 minutes.
This was as embarrassing a performance as any Hibs fan could imagine and forgetting the board for the time being, Butcher is solely to blame for this relegation.
Appointed in November with Hibs sitting in fifth, he oversaw a run of 19 top flight games in which his side recorded only one win – this alone should have seen him bulleted by the time the bottom six matches came around.
The Hibs players should also be having a long hard look at themselves because one thing is for sure – the majority of them will never play for a club of this size again.
Instead of grabbing the opportunity, they clearly believed they’d made it, but instead of working hard to improve, they regressed and deserve any criticism coming their way.
There’s a long hard summer ahead at Easter Road. Start with a clean slate and rid the club of the imposters currently occupying the famous jersey. If this lot are still there this time next year, another relegation may not be unexpected.
At the end of the day, Hamilton were by far the better team over the two legs and thoroughly deserve their success so congratulations Accies and enjoy the Premiership next season.
Player Ratings
Ben Williams 5
Could have done better at the first. Defence was all over the place and he failed to organise.
Alan Maybury 4
Distribution poor, finished at the top level.
Michael Nelson 3
All over the place. Sat deeper than the rest of the back 4 knocking the shape out of sync, barely won a tackle or header and never found a green jersey in 120 minutes. Horror show.
Ryan McGivern 4
Would have received a 3 but did have a couple of decent interceptions.
Lewis Stevenson 4
Lack of ambition going forward, continually beaten by his man and no conviction in his tackles.
Danny Haynes 2
Injured early doors.
Scott Robertson 5
Put in a decent shift but unable to influence outcome.
Sam Stanton 5
Overran in the middle of the park.
Liam Craig 2
Awful. As the captain severely lacked leadership qualities. Passing, positioning, tackling all abysmal.
Paul Heffernan 4
Willing to chase all day long but starved of service. Taken off to be replaced by Tudor Jones in what was a terrible judgement call by the manager.
Jason Cummings 4
Missed the final penalty but too much responsibility on his young shoulders in extra time.
Alex Harris 3
Came on for Haynes only to be replaced as time ran out. That’s about it.
Kevin Thomson 2
Missed vital first penalty. Looked off the pace.
So poor Wales surely haven’t seen him in action recently or he’d be nowhere near any international squad. Or Wales are dreadful – make your own mind up.
Manager Rating
Should walk or be sacked immediately.
Baffling tactical decisions throughout the last few months culminating in a performance today that would embarrass those with a brass neck.
Clueless.
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