GRAY CALLS FOR HIBS TO AVOID SAME OLD TRAP
THIS was not the plan for Hibs. If starting the season last month with a heavy Petrofac Training Cup defeat to Rangers was a psychological setback, beginning the league campaign with a result which felt like losing yet more ground to the Ibrox club was a bona fide blow. Yes, of course these are the earliest of days in this Championship race. But Hibs paid dearly for a slow start last term and already look in danger of falling into the same trap. A year ago, boss Alan Stubbs was still getting to grips with a squad which had been ripped apart and was in disarray after the pain of relegation. That caveat no longer applies, though the Scott Allan situation — the saga that just will not go away — certainly can’t be helping matters. Frustration was evident from everyone connected with the Easter Road outfit on Saturday as the away support again made their feelings clear. They had been stunned when Gregor Buchanan’s third-minute opener from close range had put Dumbarton ahead, relieved when Dominique Malonga levelled matters, then angered as Willie Gibson scored the winner with a free-kick after 55 minutes. ‘We have to learn from this as we just did not perform to our capabilities,’ admitted Hibs defender David Gray. ‘I can understand the fans’ frustration as we all feel bad right now. We have to bounce back and do well in the next few games. ‘We didn’t start last season’s Championship well and it’s important we work hard and turn the situation around quickly. ‘Rangers look to be strong this season and we know we will have to be consistent and build momentum but that comes from winning.’ Where momentum is concerned, Rangers have swung into action and already created plenty of it. Hibs still look a little like they are waiting for a push. Dumbarton made a dream start when Gibson crossed for Buchanan to score. But all looked to have settled down for Hibs when a high ball from Fraser Fyvie caught out Andy Graham and Malonga nipped in to shoot home. They couldn’t recover, though, when Gibson’s free-kick soared into the net and, despite managing to carve out several half-chances in pursuit of an equaliser, they couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Mark Brown. ‘There was a lot wrong with that performance,’ said Stubbs. ‘We were sloppy, we could not find the final ball and we showed a lack of desire. ‘The fans are as unhappy as me but it’s just one game and we have to sort ourselves out and bounce back next week.’ If Stubbs was looking for positives to grasp, this result perhaps suggests the bigger sides won’t have it all their own way this season. ‘We knew it would be difficult against one of the two league favourites, so it’s a great win but we will not get carried away as it’s just one game,’ said Brown. ‘We know Hibs are a good team and, with Rangers, they will be expected to contest for the title but we made it hard for them. ‘Our boss had us very well prepared and we knew we had to be in their faces for the whole 90 minutes. ‘We chased everything and worked very hard for this result. ‘The boss has brought in some good experience and we have got a decent squad to compete in this league. ‘People are saying the best we can hope for is avoiding relegation but I think we should be aiming higher.’ Sons boss Stephen Aitken said: ‘I have been waiting seven weeks for this. It was a very hard first fixture to get, so to win makes me proud of the team. ‘We worked very hard on our game plan and we also had that touch of quality from Willie Gibson to win it.’