Paul Heckingbottom was disappointed that Hibs failed to pick up all three points against Celtic yesterday but he expressed his ‘love’ for how his players are performing.
The Yorkshireman paid special tribute to man of the match, goalkeeper Ofir Marciano who produced a string of excellent saves to deny the champions elect.
Sunday’s draw takes his unbeaten league run to nine games and Hibs are now five points behind fourth placed Kilmarnock and a potential European spot.
When asked his thoughts on the game, Heckingbottom told a packed press conference: “In all honesty, disappointed we did not win because I’m greedy. Pleased because for long parts of the game were exactly how we wanted to play and what we are about. Delighted for the players, proud of them.
“[Ofir] was great, they are pivotal things and are stand out moments, but the full backs were excellent in one v one defending, so were the centre backs.
“The front six without the ball were excellent and we were good with the ball in spells.
“We could be better and to win the game we had to score when we were on top in the first half or one of them just drop for us in the box second half.
“Both teams made subs to win the game, brought on more attacking players and it lifted it again in the last 20 there were tired passes going astray. It was a good game. I enjoyed watching it.
“Credit to them, I asked the players to do a few more different things today. At the minute, I’m a little bit in love with them and what they’re doing.
“There were spells where we really displayed what we want to be about going forward.”
Hibs face Hearts at Easter Road next Sunday for the final derby of the season.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
