Hibs have failed to make best use of the opportunity to ease themselves away from the dreaded play offs when they lost 2-0 to St Mirren in Paisley yesterday. Early goals from Kenny McLean and Paul McGowan - the first after just 13 seconds - handed the Buddies a vital three points to take them onto 34 points; level with Hibs while Kilmarnock losing 2-1 to Partick Thistle means they are both on 33 points. Hibs manager Terry Butcher continues to call for players to deliver performances that the Easter Road fans deserve. Midfielder Kevin Thomson, in his second spell at the club, admitted that he and his fellow team-mates had let Butcher down.
Thomson said: "We never got out of the blocks. When you are in the position we are in and give two goals of a start to any team, it will be an uphill battle. I'm confident we will be okay come the end of the season but if we keep putting in performances like that then we're going to be in bother. I'm just a player and I work hard every day. It's up to the manager to pinpoint what's missing. A few of the boys have let him down and it's time for big characters and big chests. We need to stick them out and get three points against Hearts on Sunday. If you can't get motivated for a derby then you shouldn't be playing for Hibs as far as I'm concerned."