JUST short of midnight on a Wednesday night is rarely the optimum time for a period of chin-stroking contemplation.

Certainly not in the immediate aftermath of a pulsating cup tie that had just gone the full 120 minutes with a penalty shoot-out on top. And certainly not without drink first being taken.

With nothing stronger than a bottle of whatever energy juice footballers take these days to aid their post-match recovery, however, Scott Robertson gave it his best shot. Easter Road was largely silent by this point but just an hour earlier it had echoed to a quite fearsome din as Hibernian and Dundee United combined to produce an absorbing League Cup quarter-final, sharing six goals before United eventually prospered via a penalty shoot-out which also did not stint in drama.

Robertson, the disappointment etched on his face, had finished on the losing side. And yet the mood among the Hibs players, management and supporters was not entirely despondent. It had been a different story almost exactly one year earlier. Hibs, on that occasion, were again losing a League Cup quarter-final tie at home, that time to sworn enemies Hearts, and a dark cloud hung over Easter Road. It was a result that heaped further pressure on then manager Pat Fenlon, with Hibs jeered off the field before an angry crowd gathered outside the front door to further vent their displeasure.

That was not a night for looking at the positives and it would not get better even when Fenlon departed just two days later.

"Ironically I think that was one of our best performances that season - we could just not score," recalled Robertson, casting his mind back 12 months. "We hit the post, I hit the bar and there were wonder saves and one-on-one misses. It was ridiculous. It was bad luck that night again with a wonder strike in a derby.

"The fans were right to vent their anger but, ironically, it was one of our best performances. This time the fans were happy with our effort and performance levels because I don't think you could have asked much more from any of the players that stepped out on the pitch."

On paper, Hibs' position is worse than it was a year ago given they are now playing in a division lower, but the mood seems altogether brighter, even in the face of defeat. After a difficult start, they are starting to find their feet under new manager Alan Stubbs, Wednesday night's performance against a United side sitting third in the SPFL Premiership a sign of that incremental improvement.

Discounting the penalty shoot-out, Hibs are now undefeated in seven matches and in a decent position to push for an immediate return to the top division, whether as champions or via the same play-offs that relegated them just five months ago. They remain a team in transition but there are certainly grounds for cautious optimism.

"We know ourselves but I think we have to prove to people how good we can be - and do it more consistently," added Robertson. "But our last two performances against the opposition we have been playing [they also drew with Hearts last weekend] again shows what we are capable of. It just needs to be more consistent.

"Looking at the team we have now, and the way we are playing, if we had that philosophy last season then I really do not think we would be the in the position we are in now. It is easy to say that. But when you are playing against a team like United and matching them - probably more than matching them, actually - then it shows how far we have come in a short space of time."

There were accusations during Fenlon and then Terry Butcher's time that Hibs had become something of a soft touch but there is a steelier edge to them now. "The manager has tried to instil a bit of devilment in us. Even if we do go behind in a game we feel we can find a way back - we did it three times in this one," said Robertson.

The only thing that does not seem to have improved at Easter Road is Hibs' luck. If they were unfortunate to concede a last-minute equaliser to Hearts in their previous game, then that anguish was compounded when they passed up a gilt-edged chance to reach the League Cup semi-final. Matty Kennedy could have been the home hero had he converted his penalty in sudden death but his miss gave United a reprieve and they eventually took full advantage.

Even Hibs' grieving, however, was done collectively.

"Everyone is disappointed we are out but it is no-one's fault. It could have been any of us who missed the penalty," added Robertson.