Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan has delivered a blunt assessment of the club's recent 3-1 Edinburgh derby defeat to Hearts. The 23-year-old, speaking to the Daily Record, pinpointed a lack of hunger as the primary reason for the loss at Easter Road last Thursday.
Mulligan has started all 11 of Hibs' matches this season, a campaign where the team currently sits 7th in the Premiership with six points from four games. Their recent form reads LWWL, having scored six goals but conceded seven. The defeat to their city rivals leaves them nine points adrift of leaders Celtic.
What went wrong against Hearts?
Josh Mulligan did not mince words when analysing the derby performance. "The first half on Thursday was just down to boys not getting close to men, not wanting it enough," he said. The match turned decisively when Jack Iredale received a red card, with Hearts scoring the clinching goal shortly after the dismissal.
This loss followed another disappointing result just a week prior, when Hibernian's European dream ended with a defeat to Gent. Mulligan differentiated between the two performances, noting the tactical approach against the Belgian side. "That game against Gent was a bit different," he explained. "The way we set up for that game was to sit in and hit them." The derby defeat, however, was a matter of desire.
How have slow starts affected Hibs?
The midfielder highlighted a concerning pattern of slow beginnings in home matches. The derby was the second consecutive game at Easter Road where Hibernian failed to start with intensity. This issue has contributed to their inconsistent league position and negative goal difference. The team must address this quickly, especially with key defenders Rocky Bushiri and Jordan Obita currently sidelined, as listed on the club's injuries page.
Mulligan's own season is a story of resilience after missing four months of the previous campaign with an ankle injury. His consistent performances earned him a call-up to the Scotland squad by then-manager Steve Clarke for a World Cup qualifier against Belarus. Interestingly, Sebastien Pocognoli was an observer at the derby, reportedly as an interested party regarding the Scotland head coach role, which has changed hands within the last year.
What's next for Hibernian?
Attention now turns immediately to the next fixture. Hibernian travel to Perth to face St Johnstone, a match that offers a swift chance for redemption. The squad will need to regroup and find the intensity that was missing against Hearts. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule, including the next Edinburgh derby away to Hearts on December 27th, on the official fixtures page.
Looking at the broader standings, Hibernian's objective will be to climb the table and close the gap to the top. The analysis from a committed player like Mulligan, who previously played for Dundee, shows the internal recognition that performances must improve. The team's next match is against St Johnstone in Perth.
