Ambrose bemoans ‘cheap’ gifts as Hibs eye Hearts fireworks
HIBERNIAN centre-back Efe Ambrose admitted that Celtic’s four goals at Hampden yesterday ‘were far too cheap’ as Brendan Rodgers’ side booked a place in the Betfred Cup final.
The former Celtic defender was, along with his team-mates, undone twice in the first half by Mikael Lustig and, having set up to frustrate the Bhoys, the opening two goals left their game plan in tatters.
In an opening 45 minutes that lacked real quality, two crosses from the left pulled Hibs players out of position and Celtic assumed control to earn a place in the final next month.
‘After conceding the first and second goals, everything had to change,’ he said. ‘The whole game plan had to change and we had to go all-out. That was the message from the manager at half-time.
‘Celtic are the champions of Scotland and one of the best teams in Europe and have been doing well, so we can’t take that away from them.
‘For us, it was all about giving them a good fight and we did that. We did everything we could to try to battle back from two goals down and then tried to push all-out to get the last goal but it wasn’t to be.’
Goals from fellow former Celtic player Anthony Stokes and youngster Oliver Shaw gave Hibs a fighting chance but a brace from Frenchman Moussa Dembele wrapped up Celtic’s fifth consecutive win at Hampden.
Despite the fightback, it was the manner of the goals that irritated Ambrose, who felt they were gifted to the cup holders at vital moments of the game.
‘It wasn’t just the opening two goals, you could say the four goals we lost were far too cheap,’ he added.
‘We gave away a gift to Celtic. But they also needed to work to get to where they are so for them to be get through to the final is credit to them. We can’t take anything away from them as they deserved it, and one chance means one goal for them.
‘Celtic took all of their chances and they were the best team.
‘We are obviously disappointed by the outcome but we can say we still gave a good account of ourselves.
‘We know we have pushed Celtic to the limit but in the end it wasn’t enough. But that’s football. The most important thing is that we never backed down, we kept going and gave them a fight all the way to the end.’
On-loan winger Brandon Barker was Lustig’s marker and was guilty of losing his man for the opening goal — a moment he accepted was not good enough.
The Manchester City man was playing his first game at Hampden since the move north and pledged to disappointed fans that there is more to come from him in a Hibs shirt.
‘I was devastated at the first goal — they got the flick on and my man scored, which is so disappointing,’ said Barker.
‘I tried to make amends, gave it everything. My pace and dribbling are my strengths and I kept going at them as much as I could.
‘We didn’t get a rollicking at halftime, because anyone could see it wasn’t a 2-0 game at that point. The gaffer just told us to stick in. ‘So we came out, we scored, we got back in the game and we definitely had a chance. It was 2-2 in the second half and we pushed them to the limit; we just lost bad goals.
‘It’s more than likely if you lose four that you’ll lose the game, but we have fantastic defenders and it just wasn’t their day.’
Both Barker and Ambrose were quick to say that Tuesday night’s Edinburgh derby against Hearts provides the perfect opportunity to repay those disappointed fans.
‘If I had a message it would be to get ready for fireworks; we’re right up for it,’ Barker continued.
‘There’s a lot more to come from me and the boys. We’ll show that against Hearts.’