Hibs boss Jack Ross admitted his side were left to regret their loss of discipline against Hearts, but dismissed claims the visitors wanted it more.
The Edinburgh derby saw Daniel Stendel 's side run out comfortable winners, a result which lifts them off the bottom of the table.
And Hibs could see their top six cushion cut to just two points with Kilmarnock and St Johnstone both in action tomorrow.
He said: “There was no team in control in the first half. After conceding the first goal, we were poor.
“We lost discipline and shape and were a bit foggy. We weren’t good enough in that part of the game.
“Using a phrase such as ‘up for it’ is disrespectful to footballers - they’re all motivated for the game.
“But you look at how many first, second and third balls you win and my gut tells me we didn’t do that well enough.
“There are a few things to take from this match. The soreness and rawness from losing a derby is there.
“I’m not encouraging them not to feel that because it’s important to recognise how sore it is.
“The players will now be told they’re really poor, but they’re not.
They’ve shown that – and they’ve got an opportunity to put that right in five or six weeks.”
Ross refused to be drawn on the first half incident on the far touchline when McNulty appeared to stamp on Clare’s back.
He added: “I haven’t seen it all. My understanding it was on the far side of the pitch. I wasn’t aware of it at the time.”
