Source: Team_Talk
Hughes defends Hibs' home record
John Hughes defended Hibernian's home record despite their winless run at Easter Road stretching to eight matches in a 1-1 draw with Inverness.[LNB] The Edinburgh side were booed off at the finish of Saturday's SPL match as Caley fought back for a point.[LNB]Derek Riordan struck an eighth-minute opener for the hosts but missed a second-half penalty to allow Caley Thistle to earn a share of the spoils.[LNB]Irish striker Adam Rooney had already hit the post and he made no mistake with his own spot-kick eight minutes from time after Steven Thicot felled fellow substitute Danni Sanchez.[LNB]Hibs' Dutch midfielder Edwin de Graaf also blazed over with the goal gaping after the interval.[LNB]Hughes, who has been dealt a blow with new striker Darryl Duffy ruled out for up to eight weeks with a broken foot sustained in training on Friday, has now seen his side fail to win at home since early March.[LNB]But he said: "We created enough chances to win the match, we played some nice stuff if a little bit slow.[LNB]"We should have won, but that's football, we need to take it on the chin.[LNB]"The true reality of the teams we have played at home [in the last six months] is that we've played the likes of Rangers, Celtic, Dundee United, Hearts and Maribor.[LNB]"If you're a victim of being in the top six and getting into Europe, then give me it next year as well.[LNB]"Inverness were resolute, dogged and they hung in there - credit where it's due.[LNB]"But we have to be ruthless in our finishing, definitely.[LNB]"I'm not going to point the finger of blame at anyone, it's just disappointing.[LNB]"When it went 1-1 we had a real crazy 10 minutes defensively and that was a little bit of a concern. I think one or two of them also need to find a bit of form."[LNB]On Duffy's injury, he added: "He has broken his metatarsal, so he'll be out for six to eight weeks. He just turned, nobody near him and heard it pop.[LNB]"That's the cards we have been dealt and we just need to get on with it."[LNB]Inverness, meanwhile, remain unbeaten on the road since last November.[LNB]Last season's First Division champions were rewarded for their bravery as they claimed a comeback draw.[LNB]Highlanders manager Terry Butcher said: "I thought there was great spirit and attitude from the players.[LNB]"We've been unbeaten on the road now since November 29. We don't know what it's like to lose. That's four points away from home in the league.[LNB]"Going a goal down didn't affect our game plan, but if it had gone to 2-0 it could have been over.[LNB]"But their penalty for me came against the run of play.[LNB]"A draw was probably a fair result. I thought we stuck to our task and while it was still 1-0 we had a chance to get back into the game."
