McGregor: Room For Improvement Despite Late Win

Hibs U19s Head Coach Darren McGregor was pleased with his side's "resolve and resilience" as they fought to the very end to secure a 3-2 win over Celtic. 

Celtic would twice draw level with Hibs after an own goal and a powerful Callum MacDonald powerful header twice twice gave the wee Hibees the lead at a gusty HTC on Wednesday evening.

It would take a daring stoppage-time counter-attack - spearheaded by Jamie McMurdo, aided by Cole Shankland, and finished off by Josh McDonalf - to keep all three points in the east. 

Hibs started the game strong but continually allowed the visitors glimpses at goal, with gaps in an otherwise strong performance noticed by McGregor throughout. 

"It's always great to win a game of football in that manner," he told Hibs TV. "I think it was first half, we definitely had the lion's share of possession. 

"We had more opportunities, more chances, we missed a penalty and then we're made to pay. A couple of individual errors, they get into our box, we score and it's one apiece going into half-time.

"The first half was okay, I quite enjoyed it in large parts, but there was a few mistakes that gave the team a bit of anxiety and I say that to the lads, just to concentrate, to keep doing what we're doing.

"In the second half, we take the lead through an excellently worked goal - a great header by Callum - and then we just slip back into being a wee bit passive and a wee bit slack in possession.

"To be fair to Celtic, in the second half they probably deserve something for the game. They go and get a goal and then we have a couple of chances, and then at the tailend we nick it.

"There was great resolve and resilience by the lads. We always talk about persevering and dealing with obstacles. I thought we done that."

Reiss Downie was introduced for Luke Davidson earlier than expected, whilst wing-back Shankland and Jay Gallacher provided an added spark in the second half. 

It would be Shankland who grabbed the all-important assist for McDonald's sublime last-gasp winner - with McGregor satisfied with the 'energy' they injected into the team.

"Sometimes you need to put subs on to add a wee bit of energy.

"I think Celtic were quite happy - being a younger team, to be fair to them - to be sitting off in that 4-4-2. So it was our job to break that down.

"It's not often you play against Celtic and they sit off and they're quite passive and play counter-attack football.

"So I thought, again, there were large parts of the game that were good but other areas I think we definitely have a wee look and say, can we be better?"

McGregor now prepares his side for a League Cup Semi-Final next Monday, as the Hibees travel to Foundation Park to face Dundee United for a place in the Final.

United prevailed last time out in Dundee just a few weeks ago, meaning an improved performance is necessary should we wish to seek a straight shoot-out for silverware with St Mirren or Hearts.

"It's an excellent opportunity to right a few wrongs.

"I think Dundee United, again, a young team but a very good team, a tenacious team as well.

"We definitely expect a really good game. But we'll go into it with full belief that we'll get into that final."