Another tension-packed afternoon may loom at Easter Road tomorrow but Hibs players believe their opponents have most to worry about as Raith Rovers prepare to defend their single goal advantage from the first leg of the Premiership play-off.
That, at least, is the impression they are keen to give after what was widely seen as an all too typical Hibs performance at Stark’s Park on Wednesday evening when they dominated proceedings but were caught out when Harry Panayiotou headed in the game’s only goal during its final quarter.
Even its nature was overly familiar as they were caught out at a set-piece and central defender Paul Hanlon admitted to disappointment at the way it came about.
“I didn't feel that we were ever under too much pressure before they scored,” he observed.
“It was just one lapse in concentration at the front post that's made our task that bit harder.”
However he suggested that there is little difference in the task Hibs would have faced had they gone into the second leg all square.
“It's disappointing to be a goal down but it's only half-time in the tie,” he insisted.
“We're still full of confidence going into the game at Easter Road.
“It's clear what we have to do now, we have to win the game. It's still in our hands and we have a clear picture of the job we have to do.
“In any situation, even just in a 90-minute game, 1-0 is a dodgy lead because you have to decide whether to go for it and make it more comfortable or sit in and soak up the pressure. That's something Raith have to worry about. We know exactly what we have to do.”
In saying so he acknowledged that Hibs were themselves bound to be affected by the do-or-die nature of the occasion but felt that could be turned into a positive.
“There's nerves before every game. If you're not nervous before a big game like Saturday's you shouldn't be in the game because it probably doesn't mean enough to you,” he said.
“I'll be nervous in the build-up but you use those nerves to spur you on.”
He also understands that the long-suffering Hibs support that is hoping the team can end both play-off and Scottish Cup jinxes in the next few weeks are bound to be jittery but he believes the players can shut that out.
“I'm sure there'll be nerves from the fans as well because it means so much to them, too but we can only concentrate on what we can control and that's the 90 minutes we're facing,” said Hanlon.
“We're looking forward to it and still confident that we'll make it through. We're confident going in against anyone at Easter Road.”
Hibs certainly have no shortage of experience of these occasions to fall back on as ever presents in the Premiership play-offs since their introduction at the end of the 2013/14 season and Hanlon indicated that one of the principal lessons they have learned is that they cannot afford to be too gung-ho.
“The game's 90 minutes long, we've got all that time to get us to the next stage of the play-offs,” he noted.
“We can't just go for goal every time we get the ball. We're an attacking side though so we will be looking to get on the front foot.
“You only have to look at our squad to see there's goals in us but when the chances come, we need to be ruthless. We had a couple of good chances against Raith and we had balls flashing across the six-yard box that need someone there.”
On which note he made it clear that the rest of the squad is keeping faith with mercurial striker Jason Cummings, even after his latest glaring miss, tamely lofting the ball over the bar after being put through one-on-one with Raith goal-keeper Kevin Cuthbert on Wednesday.
“I think with the pitch being so bouncy, it sat up perfect for him to lob it over but he seems to have put too much on it,” Hanlon explained.
“It looked like it was on just to lift it over the goalie. On another day it drops in and it's great finish. He'll brush it off and go again though.”
In saying so he offered insight into Cummings’ enviably irrepressible attitude.
“That's part of being a striker,” he said.
“It's all about how you react to missing chances. Not so long ago he was a gardener, working hard, so he goes into games relaxed and enjoys every minute of being a professional footballer. It's a good way to be. I admire the carefree way he plays the game at times I wish I could be a bit more like that at times.”
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