Maloney : I am confident of the board’s support
Shaun Maloney says he is sure the Hibs board and the fans are behind him.
The Leith club’s Scottish Cup semi-final loss yesterday came hard on the heels of the failure to make the top-six.
With both reverses delivered by Edinburgh rivals Hearts, it makes for a miserable end to the season for the Easter Road support.
But, asked if he was confident he had the backing of those who pay his wages, he was in no doubt.
“Yes, I am,” he said. “Everyone at the club will feel hurt.
“I think we’ve worked extremely hard, literally from February 1, that we look a very different team in certain areas.
“It was a big move for Martin Boyle (who left for Al-faisaly for £3 million in January) and we had to let him go, but obviously that brings finances and we have to do things wisely.
“Every penny that we have is money from our support so we have to treat it with respect and get it right.
“We have to use it wisely. We have to be a lot different at the start of the season.”
Maloney explained his view is based on the progress he has seen on the pitch, with the Hibs boss delighted by the commitment shown yesterday.
“I thought the performance of my team was excellent, as good as it’s been in the time I’ve been here,” he said.
“I couldn’t be more proud of them, what they gave me.
“After going down to 10 men I actually think we were the more dominant team.
“I am just extremely disappointed for the support that the result did not match the performance.”
He was frank, however, on the subject of whether his team still had a bit to go to get to where they need to be.
“It’s a difficult day to speak about that but I know exactly where the squad is and what we need to compete with Hearts,” he said.
“What you saw today was, in my opinion, a more dominant performance. They have a very strong squad.
“They have a lot of experience at this and higher levels.
“Unfortunately, you saw Craig make an amazing save and that’s what happens with players at that level.
“So we have a little bit to go. Literally from February 1 that has been on my mind.
“I know exactly what we need to get to a point where consistently we can outperform the teams above us.
“That is going to be vital over the next few weeks.
“We have to remember how we feel now. And make sure that it doesn’t happen again next season.”