Hibs missed big chances to rattle Rangers but Chris Cadden believes their Ibrox performance shows the progress they are making under David Gray.
The Easter Road outfit lost 1-0 but it could have been so different if Mykola Kukharevych hadn’t had his penalty saved and sub Dwight Gayle had netted a big, late chance. Hibs, particularly in the second half, were excellent and Cadden believes Gray’s new-look side is now taking shape and there were still plenty of positives to take.
“That’s what the gaffer’s message was to the boys,” Cadden admitted. “You are never happy losing games, especially at a team the size of Hibs. You want to win every game you play in, but there were a lot of positives. It was also a good performance to build on – it’s not really a kick start to the season. But we can kick on from here. It will be a big one next week [against Motherwell] so we will take the positives and go on.”
Veteran striker Gayle could have made an instant impact when he got on the end of Cadden’s inviting cross. The Hibs midfielder said: “I’ve spoken to him after, he says it might have hit his header too well. It’s really, really close.
“These are the sorts of breaks of luck you need to go your way, especially at places like Ibrox. With the penalty and Dwight’s header, these are big chances that probably need to go in if you want to take anything. It’s the luck you need here.”
Cadden has also backed Kukharevych to bounce back after Jack Butland saved his spot kick. The former Motherwell player insisted: ”He’s a striker, he’ll be fine. He’s down, but he had the courage to go take the penalty, it’s not easy.
“I’ve been there and done it, unfortunately missed penalties happen. He’s fine, he’ll be alright.”
Hibs in recent seasons have been up and down but Cadden believes the summer additions mean that standards are being driven up from within. The Scotland international acknowledged: “I think that’s down to the players we have brought in as well.
“With what we’ve got and the size of the squad, the people coming on are really, really good as well. So when you are there and you are a little bit tired, you look at the bench and you’ve got Elie [Youan], Nathan [Moriah-Welsh], Dylan Levitt and Dwight Gayle coming off the bench, it’s a real proper squad. It’s great to see.
“I thought the subs did well when they came on and improved the team. There’s competition for places and at a club the size of Hibs, that’s what you want.”
It has taken time for the new boys to settle but they are now showing their qualities. The Hibs insisted: “There was a lot of change in the summer and a lot of new players in, so it’s going to take a little bit of time to adapt to that. But I think we are getting better every week and the gaffer said that as well. There’s a really good spirit as well – I feel it’s building a lot and the boys are getting more comfortable.”
Hibs have always had exciting talents going forward but there were always question marks at the back. Cadden reckons Warren O’Hora and Marvin Ekpiteta are now forging a formidable partnership. Cadden stated: “I thought they were brilliant.
“Defensively they were really good, but even on the ball, under a bit of pressure they put their foot on it. They were really good in managing the game, knowing when to play it a little bit longer and knowing when to pass out.
“Listen, these two guys have been great ever since they came to the club. Warren’s got the armband there, he’s been absolutely brilliant since he came to the club, Marvin as well. They make our team better, which as a player you want. They have made an impact on the starting XI.”