Lee Johnson slams 'ridiculous' Hibs challenge from Will Fish as boss left reeling ahead of Hearts derby showdown

Hibs boss Lee Johnson slammed Will Fish for the “ridiculous” challenge that gifted Dundee United the 90th minute spot kick.

It’s now four defeats on the spin for his side heading into Saturday’s massive derby with Hearts at Easter Road. And Johnson said: "It's a ridiculous challenge to make. Ridiculous. He actually had a chance to make amends at the other end, but I felt the big moment was Élie Youan's opportunity towards the end. Who'd be a football manager? Human beings, eh?

"Disappointed with the result. I thought the performance was better, technically. We controlled the game in the first half, certainly in the middle third - we didn't have enough action in the final third outside the first ten minutes. Then they scored and they had something to hold onto.” Hibs remain five points off Hearts and seven behind third-placed Aberdeen heading into the derby clash before they head to St Johnstone for the final game before the break. And Johnson added: "They're all big games, but it feels like we have two cup finals coming up. Neither team is going into the derby in great form. I feel like we really need the fans for this one, it's massive.

"We haven't lost confidence per se, but I just think there's a lot of frustration in the fact we haven't picked up points. Certainly a draw minimum, but probably three points and we would be going into the Hearts game with the ability, if we'd beaten Dundee United, to go above them if we beat them.

"And that was our mentality coming into this game but football's football and you have to bounce back very quickly. You can't lick your wounds for too long and we'll have to prepare very well to beat Hearts now."

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