Hibs can get the better of bogey team, claims Boyle
STYLISH Hibs now have their destiny in their own hands if they are to clinch that coveted second-place finish — but their final match of the regular season is against a team they seem f ated never to beat.
As the Championship season moves towards a compelling conclusion next weekend, the Easter Road side will have to do something they’ve failed to do four times already this season — and that i s win against the Bairns.
Factor in the post-Scottish Cup semi-final war of words between rival managers Alan Stubbs and Peter Houston over whose team deserved to be in the Final, and Saturday’s lunchtime showdown at Westfield has all the hallmarks of a cracker.
Ironically, it was Falkirk’s draw at Ibrox on Saturday which helped hand the advantage to Hibs in the race to finish behind Hearts and avoid two extra play-off games.
Yet although Stubbs’ team swatted aside All oa with i mpressive ease, t he wily Houston will have noted from the highlights that Hibs once again conceded from a basic inability to defend a cross ball.
If anyone knows the danger of underestimating Falkirk, it’s Easter Road attacker Martin Boyle, who scored the opener in Saturday’s rout of Alloa but has endured a miserable time against the Bairns in his career.
‘We were well aware of the Rangers result but second place is by no means secure,’ said the on-loan Dundee attacker.
‘Falkirk are our bogey team. And it was the same when I was at Dundee last season. We played Falkirk four times and never beat them once. So maybe I’m the jinx... maybe I should be benched next weekend.
‘Falkirk is a difficult place to go, even if they are not going to make the play-offs now. They will still want to end the season on a high. But our boys are confident and I’m sure we will go there and get the job done.’
Wi t h Scott Allan in Championship Player of the Year- elect form, Hibs went for the jugular from the off but a combination of poor finishing and heroic defending by Alloa saw home fans become jittery.
However, Boyle calmed the nerves by running on to an exquisite through ball f rom Allan, drawing keeper John Gibson before smashing the ball into the far corner. It was a fine way to mark his 22nd birthday, but post-match celebrations were out of the question for a second successive season.
‘It’s been a brilliant birthday. I couldn’t have asked for a better one,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a goal, but we’ve got the win and that’s the most important thing.
‘Last year I couldn’t celebrate my 21st because Dundee were chasing the league title and we had a crucial game against Alloa coming up. Paul Hartley wouldn’t let anyone go out, so I just stayed in on my birthday. I’ll be doing the same this year as there’s still much to be done.’
Hibs doubled their advantage in fortunate, if stunning, fashion. Captain Liam Craig accepted a short Allan free-kick and then sent over a fierce ball that somehow arrowed past the startled Gibson and into the top corner.
Spurred on by news of a Falkirk goal at Ibrox, Hibs made it three on the hour mark when Allan fed Dominique Malonga down the right and his inch-perfect ball across goal allowed Cummings to tap into the empty net from a mere two yards out. A second goal for the Bairns in Glasgow merely heightened the feel-good factor.
Alloa replied within 120 seconds when Mark Docherty’s cross from the left found the Hibs defence ball-watching and Iain Flannigan diverted the delivery past Mark Oxley.
But Hibs made it four when Allan’s cross to the back post was cushioned by Jordon Forster into the path of Malonga, who had the simplest of tasks in knocking his 15th goal of the season over the line.
Allan was wrapped in cotton wool when Stubbs replaced him with 12 minutes left. But the stadium announcer had seen enough t o pronounce t he 23-year-old Man of the Match.
There were two blows to come for Hibs, however. First a late winner for Hearts at Cowdenbeath ensured the champions had reached 90 points, pipping the record for the second tier of 89 set by Hibs in 1999.
Then t wo l ate goals f or Rangers meant Hibs must now beat Falkirk to ensure they clinch second, regardless of what happens when Hearts host Stuart McCall’s side at the same time next Saturday.
Hibs have a long and painful history of blowing up at crucial times, but Boyle is backing his side to get the job done.
‘The history here speaks for itself, I’m afraid, but hopefully good times are around the corner,’ he added. ‘Hopefully on Saturday we can emerge with a win.’