We’ve got to pitch in after slide
PAUL McGINN fears Hibs will have to rip-up their free-flowing football philosophy to combat the Premiership’s patchy pitches if they’re to keep their drive for a third-place finish on track.
McGinn branded the state of many top-flight surfaces ‘disgusting’ after consecutive defeats to Motherwell and Saints saw their push to finish best of the rest stumble.
Easter Road has also taken a battering from the elements over the winter and McGinn knows something drastic is needed.
Hibs still have a three-point advantage and a game in hand over Aberdeen, who could only draw with Hamilton.
McGinn said: “Given the pitch, I think the first goal was always going to be vital. It was pretty sloppy from us. It was St Johnstone’s only chance.
“But as soon as they went ahead they realised what the conditions were like and sat in.
“I thought we had enough in the second half to get something but it just didn’t fall for us and we need to take it on the chin.
“Thankfully, Aberdeen didn’t really take advantage and haven’t caught up on us too much.
“We won four in a row and we’ve had a couple of bad results but what we’re dealing with is not conducive to any kind of football.
“It’s pretty disgusting to be honest. It just bounces the whole game. It’s like three bounces every time and I can’t imagine you enjoyed watching that.
“But what are we going to do? We live in Scotland and they are all trying to make a good pitch given budgets.
“I felt when we started to launch it we did a bit better.
“It’s not really what we are but you have to play with what you’re given. It’s just a constant bounce. You need to get the ball under control and they knew that and were right on to us. Maybe we adapted a bit late.”
Next up for Hibs is a trip to face Ross County, with the Dingwall men fighting for their lives at the bottom end of the table.
McGinn said: “Their pitch isn’t much different. It’s not John Hughes’ way to play like that but, given the conditions, that’s what we’ll need to do.”