Hibees must do a heck of a lot better to succeed
Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom warned his players they will have to be more ruthless to succeed in Scottish football.
The Easter Road side had hoped to get off to a winning start in front of new owner Ron Gordon but had to settle for a draw in their opening Betfred Cup tie.
Heckingbottom gave a competitive start to six new signings – five of them new to Scotland – and felt the game should have been wrapped up long before a late flurry that saw them denied by two goal-line clearances.
He said: “We made it really difficult for ourselves. The two things that stand out for me are missing chances and the dirty side of the game – the tackles and picking up runners.
“It shouldn’t have been difficult because we created chances we should be putting away. We scored goals in our three build-up matches, but we also missed a of a lot of chances. We’re pleased we’re creating them but we have to be clinical.”
While the Hibees are still in the market for players, they have lost out to Aberdeen for the signature of Scunthorpe midfielder Funso Ojo.
Heckingbottom went on: “It’s not for us. We don’t want to do it. We have to sign players who believe in the same thing as us and want to come for the right reasons.”
The manager maintained he knew nothing of interest in striker Florian Kamberi, who was doing extra work at the training ground yesterday.
Hibs found it hard work to break down a stubborn Stirling defence before taking the lead from the penalty just before half-time.
Prior to that, Chris Doidge had his powerful header well saved by keeper Blair Currie.
The deadlock was broken when referee Greg Aitken ruled that a Stephen Mallan free-kick struck the arm of Paul Mclean in the defensive wall.
He brandished the yellow card and pointed to the spot, with the Stirling man adamant his arms were by his sides.
Scott Allan stepped up to stroke home the first goal of his third spell with Hibs.
Binos manager Kevin Rutkiewicz said: “If it’s hit his hand, then by the letter of the law it’s now a penalty. But it’s going to create a lot of controversy. They’re asking people to defend with their hands behind their backs, which is unrealistic.”
“It could encourage players in the box to flick it up and win a penalty.”
Daryl Horgan should have increased Hibs’ lead when he was one-one-one with the goalie but sent his shot wide of goal.
Stirling levelled with a spectacular strike by David Wilson, who sent a drive from outside the box soaring into the top right-hand corner of Chris Maxwell’s goal.
The home side clung on for a draw with Currie producing a fine double save and two goalline clearances in the last five seconds.
Hibs picked up the bonus point by winning a penalty-shoot out that saw Stirling’s Docherty and Truesdale having kicks saved, while Allan had his attempt stopped.