Stubbs’ words help Hibs suppress Queens
AS the screeching halt of their Edinburgh rivals’ 20-game unbeaten streak echoed through the Championship, Hibernian quietly went about their own business at Palmerston.
The Edinburgh side had failed to beat the Doonhamers during their two previous meetings this season, but goals from Dylan McGeouch and Scott Robertson reduced the gap between Hibs and their Tynecastle foes to 15 points.
But while boss Alan Stubbs was adamant his focus is firmly on his own side, he proved that he still has one eye on the top of the table.
‘It doesn’t really affect me,’ he said. ‘Honestly, I say that every week. It’s a great result for Falkirk ... but, most importantly, it’s a great result for us.’
Iain Russell gave the travelling green contingent an early fright, dinging the post with a long-range effort as Hibs keeper Mark Oxley stood helpless.
The lacklustre firsthalf performance spurred Stubbs into action at half-time, though he made clear that his players know exactly what is expected of them.
‘There were no raised voices because they’re setting the standards,’ he said. ‘It’s just every now and then you need to reinforce that they need to lift it. The response was exactly what I was looking for.’
Referee Calum Murray pointed to the spot on 63 minutes after Jason Cummings was felled in the box. The Dumfries support’s misery was compounded when Dylan McGeouch clinically dispatched the penalty into the bottom-left corner.
Things got worse for Queens as Scott Robertson tucked away his third goal in five games with a cool finish from the edge of the box.
Home boss James Fowler chose to move on from the setback, insisting: ‘We know where we want to be by the end of the season.’