Stubbs – We Answered The Doubters With Hearts

Head coach Alan Stubbs was a delighted man following our two nil Edinburgh derby day victory over Hearts and he was most pleased to see us emphatically answer the doubts aired by critics who thought our bubble had burst this season given recent results.

In various quotes carried by the press from his post game press conference, the gaffer explained following the win.

‘Two weeks ago we were being questioned. People were asking if this was the wobble and was this Hibs season ending again. Football can change very quickly. Suddenly after two results we are building momentum again. I think the players have always answered the criticism. When you have played well against the champions, as we have done this season, and not got three points, I think it is important.’

Stubbs says that sometime results like that that don’t match your performance can linger and play on not only players’ minds but also the minds of the fans’ so all he could be after a showing like that was proud.

‘I was proud of the players today, I really was. They were courageous and brave so I am delighted for them.’

Goal scorer Farid El Alagui came in for particular praise in his post game comments, with the gaffer saying that he felt he put in a fantastic performance given he hasn’t long returned from seven months out with an Achilles injury.

‘I`m absolutely delighted for him. He has had a really tough seven months, with a horrendous injury. I don`t think people understood just how bad the injury was and the fact he is back playing now is all credit to him. The surgeon deserves praise for the procedure he did and it`s great to have him back, because he is something we have missed. I think Farid is only going to get better, he is still not where we would like him to be. He needs more strength and speed put into him, but he will get that by playing games and working on his programme.’

Defender Jordon Forster was also speaking to the press following the game and he explained that one of the big motivations for the players was to simply silence the Hearts crowd.

‘As much as you try and block out what the Hearts fans are planning, you see it on social media and in the papers. You know the fans are doing this and that. You`d be lying if you said you don`t hear the fans during the game. I like a bit of banter because it`s the fans` day as well as the players. You can use it to your motivation, as long as you don`t let it affect your game in a negative way. It`s all a bit of fun. They have won the league – but we get the bragging rights for today.’