By any standards, Hibs’ Premier Sports Cup group stage campaign has not gone well. Lee Johnson will have seen these early competitive games as a chance to rack up some goals and implement his own style after replacing Shaun Maloney in the summer.
Things went to plan initially with a 5-0 home won over Clyde that included a Christian Doidge hat-trick. Then the wheels came off at Falkirk. Aiden Nesbitt’s first half goal was enough to give the League One side all three points, leaving the Hibees needing a favour from someone else if they wanted to top the group. They took care of business against SPFL new boys Bonnyrigg Rose with a 4-1 victory at New Dundas Park on Sunday.
But there was a damaging slip up against Greenock Morton at Easter Road on Wednesday night. Grant Gillespie fired ‘Ton ahead just after the hour from the penalty spot. Ewan Henderson levelled things up ten minutes later, but the hosts failed to find a winner before full-time and were taken to a penalty shoot-out for a bonus point that could have proved crucial.
But success from the spot has been lacking in this competition. Star signing Aiden McGeady sent an effort wide against Bonnyrigg at the weekend, and failed to convert in last night’s shoot-out. He wasn't the only one, as Hibs missed their first three penalties and the Cappielow outfit took the extra point.
The result has sparked an angry reaction from fans. Some of Johnson’s new signings are still awaiting work permits. Elie Youan can’t play until his is rubber stamped, while new Croatian left back Marijan Cabraja may not receive his until after the Premiership season kicks off.
Of more immediate concern is the very real possibility of crashing out of the League Cup. Hibs actually top Group D, but have played all of their matches so are now at the mercy of others.
They can still go through as group winners if Clyde beat Falkirk this weekend - not outwith the realms of possibility, but a big ask for the Bully Wee. Bonnyrigg Rose could finish on the same points, but would have to beat Morton by ten goals. Never say never, but the bookies will happily take your money.
If the Bairns do the business as expected, or even draw, then it’s a sweat to find out who else finishes second in the other groups and with how many points. Seven isn’t likely to be enough, and only the three best runners up go through this year with five European qualifiers entering in the knock-out stages.
As things stand, Livingston can finish second in Group G on nine points. In theory, they could finish top on goal difference, meaning Inverness CT would be runners up, also with nine points. That’s one second-place spot gone.
In Group H, Queen’s Park and Hamilton are both on six points behind Dundee. They play each other and if there’s a winner, then there’s another spot taken up.
Kilmarnock are currently second in Group B with the same number of points as Hibs. Partick Thistle are top with eight, so a Killie win or draw at home to Stenhousemuir must be avoided if the Easter Road club’s hopes are to be kept alive.
Group A poses a danger as well if Raith beat Aberdeen on Sunday and/or Stirling Albion beat Peterhead the day before. A winner in the game between Dunfermline and Alloa would also see another second placed team on more than seven points.
Given the sheer number of results required to go their way, Hibs really need Clyde to do them a massive favour against Falkirk. That or pray for a miracle.
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