Sports
ROCKY Bushiri’s first goal for Hibernian rescued a point against Aberdeen in a pulsating Scottish Premiership contest which had three goals scored in second-half added time.
Joe Newell’s twice-deflected shot flew past a helpless Dimitar Mitov in the Aberdeen goal to give Hibernian a deserved half-time lead, but for the fifth time this season, they dropped points after going in front.
The visitors drew level through Jamie McGrath’s fifth goal of the season before home goalkeeper Jordan Smith failed to deal with an Aberdeen corner and allowed Nicky Devlin to loft home a tidy finish, which looked to be the winning goal until a scarcely believable closing period.
Nicky Cadden whipped a magnificent free-kick into the top corner to draw Hibernian level, but that was only the beginning of the chaos.
Ester Sokler slammed home a brilliant overhead kick to put Jimmy Thelin’s side in front again after great work down the right from Shayden Morris – who was superb off the bench – and looked to have taken Aberdeen level with Celtic at the top of the table.
However, Bushiri scrambled home from close range just over a minute later to spark wild scenes and relieve some of the pressure on home head coach David Gray.
Now winless in nine, Hibs stay bottom of the league, behind city rivals Hearts on goal difference, while Aberdeen are second, two points behind Celtic.
Fighting Hibs show they are behind Gray
Gray made four changes to the side that caved at Dens Park on Saturday, most notably replacing goalkeeper Josef Bursik with Jordan Smith, and switching to a back three.
It resulted in a solid first-half performance, as Gray seemingly encouraged his side to go back to basics. Hibs did not try anything too fancy, but harried Aberdeen at every opportunity, kept their high-flying opponents at arm’s length and found a slice of luck they have sorely lacked this season, as Newell’s strike flew in via two Aberdeen defenders.
Hibs started the second half in much the same vein, winning plenty of second balls and almost finding a second goal, again through Newell, who this time hit the base of the post.
However, after McGrath equalised, Hibs paid for a blunder – the seventh time this season they have conceded from an individual error. Smith came for a corner, but only succeeded in palming the ball straight to Devlin.
That moment was an enormous test of Gray’s side’s spirit and fight, but they did not go into their shells.
Cadden hit the bar before bending home a wonderful equaliser, and even after going behind again, they dug deep and found another goal from the most unlikely source.
Gray will take real heart from the way they fought right to the end, despite their league position. The celebrations that followed Bushiri’s goal showed a togetherness they will need if they are to climb the table.
Substitutes spark Dons into life again
For Aberdeen, they will leave the capital stunned at how they did not win the game.
They looked slightly lethargic in the first half, off the back of their first league defeat this season against St Mirren.
Kevin Nisbet was off the pace up front and was hooked at half-time for Leighton Clarkson, but it was the introduction of Morris that sparked the Dons into life.
Thelin has a happy knack of impacting games through substitutions, and McGrath’s goal came immediately after the Swede brought Morris off the bench, with the winger central to the goal with good play down the right.
Devlin then continued his top season, capitalising on Smith’s blunder with a calm finish.
The momentum swung back towards Hibs, but when substitute Sokler unleashed one of the goals of the season in the 95th minute – after more great play from Morris – the points looked certain to be heading north.
However, the celebrations in the away end were cut short by one final twist in the tale and Aberdeen will have to pick themselves up for another trip to Edinburgh this Sunday against Hearts.
What they said
Hibernian head coach David Gray: “There have been questions asked about the character of the group and twice we came back right at the very end in a game I firmly believe we deserved to win.
“We know we’ve let ourselves down in certain areas, but the attitude, desire, commitment and togetherness was there to see.
“We need to be positive. It’s something to build on and if we can tidy up in areas I know we can turn this round.”
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: “It was a rollercoaster, an emotional game. There were a lot of chances for both teams, not really controlled.
“The good thing was the team spirit and the players bringing quality to the pitch in the second half. They made a huge impact.
“We came back from one down in an away game and even if we struggled at some times we still find a way to almost succeed.
“We made collective mistakes and we need to mature. That’s football. We have to learn and move on. We’re on a journey.” – bbcsport
A.I
Nov. 27, 2024
Tags: Dimitar Mitov Rocky Bushiri
