Marink Reedijk deflated by Hibs as he laments 'money-time' issue - but Rangers loanee lights up Tannadice

New Hibs head coach Marink Reedijk lamented how his team failed to display their training-ground performances at Tannadice as they went down 1-0 to Dundee United at Tannadice.

In Reedijk’s first game since taking over a fortnight ago, Hibs were soundly overpowered by Dundee United, who ought to have scored more than Daniel Bennie’s 35th-minute strike.

Reedijk put Hibs through a “pre-season on steriods” during the international break, with a warm-weather training camp in La Manga giving the Dutchman time to instil his methods. And while Hibs had a couple of dangerous moments on Tayside, they were fortunate not to end the game with a heavier defeat.

Hibs head coach Marink Reedijk could not hide his disappointment at losing 1-0 to Dundee United. | SNS Group

“For me, it is hard to see that what we trained over the few weeks, especially on towards the final third, doesn't come to life here in a real match,” said Reedijk. “Then I speak about the technical execution, passes behind someone, in the feet of the opponent.

“Those moments, we worked so hard to do things well and then eventually what happens is that because of one pass we have to sprint back 50-60 metres because these are the most simplest passes. And also the indecisiveness in some moments that we take another touch, take another touch instead of just play and go, play and go. This was in the training and in the friendlies. We trained different, but that doesn't count because it's money-time and today we saw that we are not there yet.

“I think it's about taking that chance, make sure that you reward yourself for the hard work over the last weeks and make sure that you get comfortable into the match because the longer it stays nil-nil, it can happen that you concede the goal like we conceded because it's always like this in football. Before that moment, I think they had one good chance, but not too much.”

Reedijk rejected the notion that his team, having lost four of their past five matches and sitting tenth in the Premiership, are lacking in confidence. “ No,” he said. “I don't know what it is. Confidence is a difficult thing to have. Because if you have this moment that you take the chance in the beginning, is confidence back? Yes or no? This is also the question. I think it is just based on result. The thing is that now you don't get the result. We have to ingrain habits and repetition.”

Reedijk and his players applauded the sizeable travelling support after the match, but they were met by angry members of the Block Seven fan group, who showed their displeasure at the display. One fan tried to get on the pitch before being tackled by police and stewards, causing a commotion at the foot of the stand.

“I haven't seen this, but I hope everybody is alright,” said Reedijk. “But I cannot comment on it because I have seen what happened, but I don't know why or what whatsoever.

“What I can say is that I really appreciate the 2,500 people come here all the way from Edinburgh to see this match and that I am, as they are, disappointed in the result. And that there is work to do and there is work to be done.”

Dundee United’s Jim Goodwin was a far happier manager, praising his team for an excellent performance - their first home win of the season.

“I felt it was deserved, over the whole piece,” said Goodwin. “I felt we were the better team. But it was a very good game of football, from the sidelines watching on; two very good attacking teams.

“On chances created and dangerous entries into the opponent's penalty area, I thought we had the more of them. We're just kicking ourselves a little bit that we weren't able to add a second or third goal to kill things off.

“Even when Hibs go down to the 10 men, I think the only criticism I could have of the players is that we probably didn't manage that period well enough; utilise the possession and control the game a bit better.”

Goodwin reserved special praise for Rangers loanee Lyall Cameron, who dominated the midfield. “Lyall is a player I've always admired,” said Goodwin. “I was slightly envious of the club across the road when he was playing for them!

“When the opportunity became available in the summer, thankfully we were in a position to go and do something. Our supporters know the backstory there with Lyall and his family – huge Dundee United supporters.

“We are delighted to have him here and he’s settled in really, really quickly. That's credit to the group for making him feel so welcome. He's at a place where he knows we believe in him.

“I think that's important for any player. We're playing him in his favourite position. We play a style of football that really suits his game and I think that will bring out the best in him.”