Hibs Supporters Criticized as Attendance Drops for Celtic Defeat
Hibs fans have been urged to reflect on their own commitment after leaving Easter Road noticeably vacant during Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Celtic. The defeat, sealed by goals from Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho, was compounded by a red card for Jamie McGrath. It was the fourth dismissal for the Leith side in just three matches.
The result carries significant weight for the league table. While it keeps Celtic level with title-rivals Hearts at the summit, it severely damages Hibs’ pursuit of fourth place. Now trailing Motherwell by six points with only three games remaining, the club’s European ambitions are fading fast.
Kris Boyd’s “Tin-Pot” Verdict
Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd did not hold back in his assessment of the atmosphere. Having previously labeled the Hibs support “tin-pot” for suggesting they would rather lose than help Hearts win the league, Boyd turned his focus to the empty seats. Despite an official attendance of 18,113, large gaps were visible in the home sections of the 20,421-capacity stadium.
“The fans have given up. It’s true,” Boyd remarked. “When they’re moaning about their players letting them down, they should have a look at themselves today.”
Boyd noted the contrast between the “bouncing” atmosphere of previous weeks and the subdued environment on Sunday. He argued that with fourth place still technically within reach, the lack of vocal backing was “really, poor.”
Coaching Frustrations
Hibs head coach David Gray chose to focus on discipline rather than the crowd size. He expressed deep frustration over McGrath’s dismissal for a dangerous challenge on Alistair Johnston. While Gray conceded there was no malice in the tackle, he acknowledged it was a clear red card that left his team with an uphill battle.
The Current Outlook for Hibs:
- Points Gap: 6 points behind Motherwell.
- Games Remaining: 3 fixtures left in the season.
- Requirement: Likely three wins and favorable results elsewhere.
Gray admitted that time is running out for his squad. He noted that the team is now relying on Motherwell to drop points while likely needing a perfect winning streak to secure a European spot.
As the season reaches its climax, the pressure is mounting on both the players on the pitch and the supporters in the stands to show they are still in the fight.