ROBERTSON GLAD TO SEE END OF NIGHTMARE YEAR

HIBERNIAN midfielder Scott Robertson is hopeful the new year will bring glad tidings at Easter Road, after admitting he cannot wait to see the back of what has been a nightmare 2014. Just 12 months ago, the capital club were safely ensconced in the top half of the Premiership and in buoyant mood following a bright start to the Terry Butcher reign. However, the turn of the year brought a catastrophic collapse with the club enduring a run of just one win in 18 league matches on their way to relegation. Although there have been green shoots of recovery under new head coach Alan Stubbs, Hibs will still finish the calendar year adrift of the summit of the Championship. Robertson (right), however, is optimistic that 2015 will bring a change of fortune. ‘It’s amazing to think Hibs were still in the top six this time last season,’ he said. ‘Last Christmas, we were unbeaten in five games and it turned out to be our best period of the season. ‘We were still in the Scottish Cup and chasing silverware but it was an incredibly steep decline for everybody involved at the club. ‘I don’t think I will ever experience anything like that again in football. It was totally incredible — not in a good way — to be part of something like that. ‘There were games that we should have won, like Motherwell at home when we were 3-2 up with a minute to go and drew 3-3. ‘One point during that run could have made all the difference to us in the long run. There is nothing else to say about it other than the fact that it was miraculous how Hibs were relegated. ‘We want to forget about the events of last season and hopefully next year will be better for us. 2014 is almost done and we will see what 2015 brings.’ Hibs, who are currently 16 points behind league leaders Hearts, travel to face Raith Rovers this afternoon looking to build momentum ahead of a mouthwatering festive double-header. They cross swords with Rangers at Easter Road on December 27 before bringing in the new year with a traditional trip to Tynecastle to face Robbie Neilson’s men on January 3. Robertson knows victories in those fixtures could give the summit of the Championship a very different look, but it would be all for nothing if they fluff their lines in Fife today. ‘Those are massive fixtures and the way the table looks now could be totally different to how it will appear in a month. ‘But we have got to get the points on the board against Raith first and foremost.’

GEORGE GRANT