Lukas Fadinger’s first half strike had Motherwell fans digging out their passports as a 1-0 win at Easter Road secured a place in the qualifying phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Austin Fenton reports from Leith.
With three points needed to leapfrog their opponents to a European spot, four changes were made to the Hibs side that won at Ibrox on Wednesday as Jack Iredale, Grant Hanley, Daniel Barlaser and Josh Campbell made way for Rocky Bushiri, Jamie McGrath, Joe Newell and Nicky Cadden.
As for Motherwell, Ibrahim Said, Stephen O’Donnell, Calum Ward and John Koutroumbis started against Celtic in midweek but were replaced by Regan Charles-Cook, Liam Gordon, Stephen Welsh and Matty Connelly. The latter made his league debut for the Steelmen in goal.
There was plenty of buzz around Easter Road before kick-off, as the club announced that Martin Boyle would sign a new one-year contract.
First Half
Motherwell showed their intent from the first whistle – after all, they had to avoid defeat to secure a fourth place finish – and swiftly put Hibs under plenty of pressure. Elijah Just came close early on but his low effort was narrowly wide of Sallinger’s post, but it was the first of a number of pacy breakaways that have become so commonplace from Jens Berthel Askou’s team.
Rocky Bushiri’s afternoon was put to a halt after sixteen minutes after going down off the ball, and Grant Hanley entered the fray.
Regan Charles-Cook came close soon after with a curling effort after combining with Tawanda Maswanhise.
Hibs struggled to cope with wave after wave of Motherwell pressure and survived a scare after Elliott Watt won the ball high up the pitch. His cross found Maswanhise at the back post but the Zimbabwe international sent his diving header wide.
Motherwell finally got the breakthrough after thirty-five minutes.
After another spell of probing around the Hibs box, Charles-Cook’s cross dropped kindly for Lukas Fadinger. The Austrian switched the ball onto his left foot and unleashed a powerful drive which took a slight knick off Grant Hanley on its way into the back of the net.
Hibs had offered very little offensively in the first period. and didn’t have much to cheer about in a must-win game. The biggest noise came from the home support when news of Celtic’s equaliser against Hearts came through. They were booed off just moments later when Nick Walsh blew for half time.
Second Half
David Gray made two changes ahead of the second 45. Seeking control in midfield – where Motherwell were bossing the game – Josh Mulligan and Daniel Barlaser replaced McGrath and Newell.
Motherwell paid no interest to the changes. Grant Hanley lost his footing at the halfway line and Just led a counter-attack. Maswanhise’s resulting effort was beaten away by Sallinger.
Hanley was then subbed off with an injury that looked similar to what caused Bushiri to make way for him in the first half. Dane Scarlett took his place with Hibs chasing the game.
Callum Slattery came close to delivering a stunning parting gift after volleying goalward at the back post and would have done so had it not been for a flying save by Sallinger.
Motherwell looked to have doubled from the resulting corner through Stephen Welsh. An inswinging ball wasn’t punched away particularly well by Sallinger and the Celtic loanee reacted quickest to head home. Referee Nick Walsh was sent to the monitor, however.
VAR picked up on a foul by Elijah Just whose arms were on the goalkeeper, and the celebrations from a packed away end were cut short.
With the final twenty minutes approaching, Elliott Watt – already booked in the first half – went in late on Miguel Chaiwa. The midfield man was given his marching orders and Motherwell were reduced to ten men.
The numerical advantage gave Hibs an influx of determination and they nearly responded through Dane Scarlett. The Tottenham loanee was slipped in behind by a Barlaser free kick and fired across goal, but Tom Sparrow was on hand to make a crucial block.
As the game drew to a close, Hibs began to throw all they could at Motherwell. Substitute Ante Šuto had Hibs’ best chance right at the death but could only spoon his effort well wide of Connelly’s goal.
Motherwell’s 1-0 win secured a fourth-placed finish that will see the Steelmen take place in the second qualifying round of next season’s Europa Conference League.
Jens Berthel Askou was understandably delighted with what his side had achieved this year – their highest league finish since 2014.
“It feels wonderful.
“Even if we didn’t get what we wanted from the game today, it wouldn’t take anything away from the season but today ties the knot on what has looked to be something special for a long time.
“Now we get to enjoy today, along with all the other days we’ve gotten to enjoy together.”
David Gray’s Hibernian, condemned to a fifth-place finish – four points behind Motherwell and twenty-three behind runners-up and city rivals Hearts – will be relying on Celtic to beat Dunfermline Athletic to earn a European place.
“I spoke a lot pre-match about nothing being handed out until 38 games had been played, and with the opportunity that presented itself to us today – if we won the game and finished fourth – then we’d have deserved to do that.
“We got what we deserved, unfortunately. It’s disappointing given everything that’s at stake. Motherwell were worthy winners.“
