Scott: A Really Good Team Performance

Hibernian manager Grant Scott praised the improved performance from his side despite last night’s narrow defeat to Celtic at the Excelsior Stadium.

A tight game was edged out by the home side after Caitlin Hayes’ header midway through the first half.

On the performance, which the gaffer admitted was a marked improvement from last week’s derby defeat, Scott said that he was largely pleased with the manner in which his side controlled vast periods of the game.

“It was the polar opposite of the performance on Friday night. They’ve had a couple of opportunities in the first half, in the second we restricted them – most of their opportunities were from distance.”

“We got the ball down, we found spaces, the movement was good. It was a really good team performance. It’s another tough one after a defeat, but I’m immensely happy with the response after Friday night.

“I really felt for the players, I thought they deserved something. Jorian had a great chance, but the ‘keeper made herself really big – and ultimately that’s won Celtic the match.”

Detailing and praising the performances of individuals, the manager was particularly pleased with the development shown by Mya Christie across the span of the previous months.

The full-back had a number of crosses and opportunities and was unlucky not to convert at the back post in the first half.

“The most pleasing bit for me and Stewart Hall is that she’s taking in positional information that we asked her to do. Her work tonight was really good, and she was composed with the ball when she had it.”

Looking towards the next match against Glasgow City at Meadowbank on Sunday, Scott expects the energy levels to be maintained, and is optimistic that a similar performance will be found.

“My challenge to the players tonight was to show that our previous game was a blip. We did that in abundance tonight.”

‘We’ll dust ourselves down, but we need to maintain these performance levels if we’re going to gain more points.”