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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Chris Doyle

Raging Paul Heckingbottom blasts Hibs flops as he questions players' commitment

Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom has slammed his players for their performance against Livingston despite rescuing a late point at Easter Road.

The Edinburgh side fell two goals behind to Livi in the first half via quick-fire strikes from Steven Lawless and Craig Sibbald.

But the Leith outfit fought back to earn a draw thanks to a Scott Allan penalty and a last-gasp Martin Boyle equaliser as he made his long-awaited return from injury.

Hibs avoided dropping to the foot of the Premiership table, but has taken aim at his players for their sub-par performance in the first half.

(SNS Group)

He said: "I would take the point being 2-0 down without a doubt, but I question why it needed that.

"The display from the first half to the second, if you take the score-line out of it, there was more fire, more desire.

"The fans were excellent tonight. They've stuck with the team to get them over the line.

"It's that simple, the fans want to see that spirit, that drive, that effort and determination.

"Why I am frustrated and angry, is why does it take a tactical change or a b******ing to get them up and running? It shouldn't take that.

"That's where we are. People can say 'you should have more points' but there's a reason why. You get what you deserve.

"There it is there, black and white in front of us.

(SNS Group)

"I know I'll watch back the second half and take some positives, but I know I am seeing people that are not 100% committed.

"I've got belief in the players, but I've also seen why we've not been winning. Today is a good example of that, it's that simple.

"There's a way to lose a game as well. If we lose with that drive and commitment we showed in the second half, then you hold your hand up and say 'yeah they're better than us'.

"But I've not been able to do that yet. When we've won in the cup and in the league, it's because we are by far the better team.

"But there's time where we have lost because of indecision or we've not been committed in that moment in time, which you have to be."

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