Shaun Maloney lamented an “unacceptable” second-half performance from Hibernian as they missed out on a place in the top six of the cinch Premiership following a 3-1 Edinburgh derby defeat away to Hearts.
The Easter Road side led through an early goal from Drey Wright but the hosts hit back in first-half stoppage time before scoring another two in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
A point would have been enough for Hibs to have stayed in the top six but they did not look like hauling themselves back into the match, much to the annoyance of Maloney.
“What was most disappointing was that the two big moments in the game, just before half-time and straight after, had too big an impact on how we played,” he said of how his team reacted to Hearts’ first two goals.
“We were very good in parts of the first half, but we can’t allow a set-play goal in the second half, after a couple of minutes, to then completely alter how we played and the mentality of the team.
“That’s the biggest disappointment. The performance in the second half, I can’t accept, and I won’t.
“It’s in those biggest moments, when you go 2-1 down at your biggest rivals, can we still go and compete? Today we showed that we didn’t.
“That’s the biggest disappointment, when we come here and play as well as we did for the first 30 minutes. It’s not good enough.”
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson was delighted with the way his team fought back to secure third place and a crack at European football next season.
“It’s really important that with a full house here today we win the game,” he said. “Sometimes it is not about the performance.
“Hibs started the game better. It wasn’t until probably 25-30 minutes we started to settle down and play.
“Once that happened we took a bit of control, created chances and thankfully got the goal just before half-time. I think it could have been different if we went in 1-0 down.
“The goal just before half-time changed the team-talk to an extent because the players come in a bit more positive.
“It was a good performance today but it’s done now – it’s all about next week.”
Neilson was “pleased” to get third place tied up before the split but his full focus is now on ensuring Hearts complete a derby double by seeing off Hibs in next weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
Victory at Hampden would ensure the Tynecastle side are in either the Europa League or Conference League group stage next term.
“I think it has been a decent season but it has got the potential to be a great season if we can win next week,” he said.
