Hibs now needing favours after another 'hammer blow'

[BBC]

The defeat at the weekend against Celtic was another hammer blow for David Gray and his Hibs players.

There is no doubting the effort was there throughout, but for the third game in a row they had to play the majority of the match with a reduced number of players.

Jamie McGrath has been arguably the player of the season for Hibs, but his rashness in the tackle that led to his red card was a costly and ultimately decisive moment in the game.

With just three games left to play, there is now no wriggle room as they attempt to reel in Motherwell in the battle for fourth.

It is, however, very much out of their own hands and will require Hearts to do them a favour when they travel to Fir Park for the late kick-off on Saturday.

Prior to that, Hibs travel to Falkirk, who, under John McGlynn, have had such an exciting and profitable campaign in their first top-flight season for 15 years.

The Hibs players cannot afford to think of the end of the season that is now on the horizon with the Bairns just two points behind.

Gray has been consistent all season in saying they need to show improvement season on season.

In last season's campaign, the Easter Road club ended with 58 points and, although this total can still be beaten, it will take three wins from their final three fixtures for it to be surpassed.

There will be a fairly major overhaul of players come the close of the season, and work is now well under way in rebuilding the squad for the next campaign.

On-loan players will return to their respective clubs, and stalwarts like Martin Boyle will move on to pastures new.

Arguably, the work to ensure there is a competitive squad next season to challenge at the top end may well be more important than what happens between now and the end of the current season.