Source: Team_Talk
Hibs spirit pleases Calderwood
Colin Calderwood praised Hibernian's spirit after they absorbed long spells of Motherwell pressure to grind out a second consecutive SPL win.[LNB] Derek Riordan overturned Motherwell's early lead by the 27th minute of Saturday's SPL clash at Easter Road, and Hibs limited the visitors' chances as they sat in for much of the second half to follow up their Ibrox triumph with a 2-1 victory.[LNB]Hibs' resolve has been questioned in recent months, most notably when they let slip a four-goal lead to draw 6-6 with Motherwell in May, but they shut the door on a Steelmen comeback on Saturday.[LNB]Hibs ended the game with natural defenders Ian Murray and Steven Thicot in central midfield while Valdas Trakys added a physical edge up front, having a hand in both goals by helping on high balls for Riordan.[LNB]Calderwood was delighted with his first Easter Road win and said: "In some ways the way it happened was rewarding; to come back from a goal behind and be the team not in the ascendancy, and hang on and show spirit, endeavour and a willingness to work for each other.[LNB]"Those are the attributes the fans will be impressed by. Add to that some spells of quite good football in the first half."[LNB]Riordan repaid his manager's faith following his recall from suspension after a needless red card against Hearts deprived him of the opportunity to play in the 3-0 win over Rangers.[LNB]The former Celtic player almost snatched a late hat-trick with a brilliant turn and volley which was tipped over by Darren Randolph.[LNB]"He's a goal threat as always," Calderwood said. "He was very unlucky not to get his hat-trick.[LNB]"He has produced our one moment in the second half. That would have sealed the game and made it less anxious in the last few minutes."[LNB]Riordan lost the captain's armband to Murray following his suspension but Calderwood would not say whether it is for the long term. "It was just because of Ian Murray's display at Ibrox and because, along with Derek, he is very much a Hibernian player," he said.[LNB]Dougie McDonald's return to SPL action following his warning over the recent Tannadice penalty furore proved eventful with the referee issuing eight yellow cards and handing the visitors a 10th-minute penalty, converted by Nick Blackman.[LNB]Motherwell also had a goal disallowed with television pictures apparently showing Steven Saunders was wrongly flagged for offside before converting Steve Jennings' through ball in the 71st minute.[LNB]Visiting boss Craig Brown said: "If you get the goal at that point, in football a losing lead is a bad thing, especially at home.[LNB]"If it goes to 2-2, you're not so comfortable. Had we got that goal maybe we would have got another. "I'm biased but I think the better team lost. I think we had much more of the game than Hibs."[LNB]However, Brown admitted disappointment at the way his side conceded the goals. The normally impressive Randolph was slow to get down to Riordan's 14th-minute effort and Craigan mis-kicked to gift the striker his second.[LNB]"One of the players made an uncharacteristic error," Brown said. "I don't think he has made one all season.[LNB]"The first one was a soft goal too. It was well-placed but I don't think he hit it as firmly as he wanted."[LNB]Meanwhile, both managers played down an argument before half-time, when Brown appeared to react as Calderwood chastised Blackman for a foul on Hibs goalkeeper Mark Brown.[LNB]Brown would not comment on the issue but Calderwood, who won all 36 of his Scotland caps under the Motherwell manager, said: "It's normal. I have got a right to express my views. There was just some dialogue between us."
