THE plight of former Celtic trio Aiden McGeady, David Marshall and Ewan Henderson has taken another dramatic downturn with Hibs’ interest in the League Cup over.
The ex-Hoops stars were already involved in a nightmare scenario with last season’s beaten finalists on the verge of a sensational exit after missing three consecutive penalty-kicks in the shoot-out with Championship Morton following a 1-1 draw, as CQN reported yesterday.
The Edinburgh club, who led Ange Postecoglou’s side for a moment at Hampden in December before Kyogo Furuhashi struck two sublime goals, saw a chance of a quickfire return to the national stadium obliterated following a remarkable administrative blunder.
ALL OVER…Aiden McGeady is disconsolate during Hibs’ struggle against Morton in midweek.
Lee Johnson’s side had required a Clyde win against Falkirk at the weekend to give them the chance of going through from their group to reach the last 16 of the competition.
However, it has emerged that they had fielded an ineligible player – Rocky Burshiri who was suspended after previously picking up two bookings – and were hit with sanctions after an SPFL hearing.
The governing body recorded the result as a 3-0 Morton win, meaning Hibs dropped onto six points and can now no longer qualify.
Ex-Celtic right-back Mark Wilson labelled the Easter Road club’s situation as “shocking”.
The one-time Scotland international defender said: “This is a shambles. A club the size of Hibs, this should never happen. You can understand a smaller club making a mistake like this – and Stranraer have been pulled up for something similar – but there is no way Hibs should be in this situation
‘SHOCKING’…ex-Celt Mark Wilson lets rip at shambolic Hibs.
“I would exonerate the manager. He has a million things going on. He’s bringing in players, he’s trying to get his team sorted out. He is relying on the club secretary or other officials to tell him which players are available.”
Wilson, speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, added: “A club of Hibs’ size? It’s shocking. They’re out of the competition before their rivals have even started in it so that’s got to hurt the fans, too. The culture at this club seems to be all wrong.
“When Jack Ross was there things seemed to be in good shape then he was gone. Shaun Maloney came in and he was gone. Now the new manager has got a lot of work to do.”
Former Scotland international keeper Marshall agreed a two-year contract at Hibs in the summer after leaving Queens Park Rangers while experienced Republic of Ireland winger McGeady signed a similar deal after quitting Sunderland.
Henderson signed permanent terms after being taken to the club by ex-Celt Maloney on loan in January.
