Murray Reflects On 'Deflating' Cup Exit

Head Coach Joelle Murray admits there are "a lot of deflated players" in the Hibernian camp following our Sky Sports Cup Semi-Final defeat to Glasgow City.

Nicole Kozlova sneaked the visitors in front with just seconds remaining in the first 45 before Chloe Warrington doubled City's advantage after the restart.

Kirsten Reilly curled in an outstanding free-kick to pull the Hibees back into the tie, but City would hold on to claim their place in the Final.

Speaking to Hibs TV, Murray believes her side performed well but lacked the necessary clinical edge to make it back-to-back Final appearances in the competition.

"I thought we were the better team across the piece. I thought we had the better chances and I think that was the difference in the game.

"Obviously Glasgow City took the chances that came their way and we didn't. I knew it was going to be a game of both boxes, winning ours, being aggressive and winning first contact and then in the final third being clinical.

"There's a lot of deflated players in the dressing room because they know that. I think they could feel the momentum, they could feel that we were on the front foot for large spells. A really difficult one to take this evening.

"I think when you come away from a fixture against Glasgow City being so deflated and so disappointed, it speaks volumes," Murray added. "Because Glasgow City are a top-class team with excellent players.

"This evening we more than matched that and we showed what we're all about. So yeah, the players are disappointed. As I said, it's just those final actions, the executions and the opposition's box that let us down this evening."

Murray's start to life in the hotseat at Meadowbank has been tricky; with a 5-0 win over Hamilton softening a tough run of fixtures against Celtic and Rangers at the start of the month and City in the Sky Sports Cup Semi-Final - all while the team contended with a slight injury crisis that ruled out numerous key players.

Despite strong performanes against all three Glasgow clubs, one-goal narrow defeats have been inflicted on the unfortunate Hibees. Now, heading into February fixtures against Motherwell and Aberdeen, Murray is keen to reset and put full focus into the league.

"The last few weeks it's been difficult. There's been moments in every game that's swung momentum in the opposition's favour. There's been things that have went against us that we haven't really agreed with, but that's football.

"I think there's so many uncontrollables. I think you can see across the last few weeks the desire, the work great, the quality is absolutely there. I think we just need a bit of a break and I know that'll come. I know that'll come.

"The girls will go away this evening and come back in next week fully ready to focus on that game against Motherwell."