Hibs still hot in pursuit of playoff after draw

ANY fears that the departure of John McGinn would represent the death knell for Hibernian’s European aspirations were allayed at Easter Road as Neil Lennon’s side played out a 0- 0 draw with Molde.

The capital side created the better opportunities, most notably with Stevie Mallan striking the woodwork and David Gray forcing a magnificent save from Andreas Linde, and restricted the visitors to such an extent that Ross Laidlaw did not have a save to make.

With Dinamo Minsk demolishing Zenit St Petersburg 4- 0 in Belarus in the meeting of their prospective play- off opponents, reaching the group phase does not seem quite as fanciful a prospect as it had before kick- off last night.

Hibs were also without No 1 goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, who was ruled out with a hip injury.

Molde had there own substantial absence to mitigate, with wonderkid Erland Haland in Austria completing a £ 6 million switch to Salzburg. He is set to be loaned back for the remainder of the campaign, so could yet have a say in this tie.

Hibs have had no issue with potency up front and Mallan sent a warning shot after just six minutes when his stunning drive from distance rattled the cross- bar.

After half- time, Hibs again came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Boyle latched onto an incisive Vykintas Slivka throughball, only to slide the ball wide of the post.

From the resulting corner, David Gray saw a thunderous header brilliantly saved by Linde.

The Molde keeper was the hero again in stoppage time, making a fine low stop to deny debutant Emerson Hyndman.