Shaun Maloney has admitted that Hibs were 'over-reliant' on Martin Boyle and that's why they're in a scrap to make the top six.
But he stopped short of agreeing that it would represent a ‘failure’ if they fail to secure a top half finish when they play Hearts at Tynecastle.
A win means Maloney ’s will have got the job done regardless of other results.
BUt a draw or even a loss means the Hibees will require favours in other games.
Many believe they should have already confirmed their position given the expectations on Hibs and their budget.
But the former Belgium coach outlined the reasons why that isn’t yet the case, and that he still believes the decision to sell Boyle for £3.5million to Saudi outfit Al Faisaly was the only one the club could make.
When asked if a bottom six finish would be a sign of failure this season, Maloney told Sky Sports: “I think failure is a strong word. There’s definitely reasons why we’re fighting on the last day for the top six.
“I love the size of the club and I love the expectation. We’re in a place now because of what happened in the last seven to ten days of the window. We’ve really struggled in certain areas.
“It’s my job to fix that and really make sure that next season we’re never as reliant as we were on one player in an attacking area.
“But for sure we want to be in the top six. The size of the club demands that and that’s what I love about the club. That’s why I left Belgium to come to Hibs.
When asked if their top six struggles were down to Boyle leaving or whether the club didn’t do enough to keep the Australian international, Maloney replied: “It’s both.
“I really supported the decision. With the way the window went and that particular move, we couldn’t say no.
“And unless the processes are right to replace him, then we can’t take that risk. We’ve got a really good recruitment team. I get on very well with the CEO [Ben Kensell] and it was the right decision.
“It just has an impact and we’ve seen that. I have to try and find the solution. At times we have, at times we haven’t but I hope that we find it this weekend.”
Only a win in Gorgie will ensure Hibs finish in the top half, and Maloney says that must be their mindset when they head across the capital.
He added: “It has to be. It keeps it in our own hands but as a manager or a coach, you have to really focus on the performance, which we did against Dundee United.
“It didn’t match the result and we have to try and change that this weekend.
“The word clinical will probably be the decisive word for us this weekend. We have to take our chances like we didn’t against Dundee United.”
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