I didn’t think Hibs would struggle this badly

Previewing the season back in July, I forecast Hibs would badly miss Leigh Griffiths and that Pat Fenlon might not be long in his job.

While both those predictions came to pass, I have to admit I didn’t see quite how badly they were going to struggle.

Nine months on we find them heading into the post-split campaign, as the team with the worst form of any of the relegation play-off contenders.

Now under the charge of Terry Butcher, they have a terrible record of just one win in their last 14 games.

On a level playing field, that statistic alone would make them favourites to have to fight it out with the Championship’s runners-up for a place in the Premiership next season.

What makes it so exciting is the fact it is not an even race.

Hibs will go into the final five fixtures with a significant points advantage. They are four better off than Partick Thistle, three better than both St Mirren and Ross County and one ahead of Kilmarnock.

The bookmakers have Thistle as their favourites to finish second bottom. Twist my arm and I would probably have to agree with them.

But . . .

The Jags will have a great chance to play their way out of trouble when they go to Easter Road on May 3. That game really will be the classic six-pointer.

And having been impressed by the quality of their outfield play whenever I have watched them, I would imagine it is by no means impossible.

Adding extra interest is the fact Hibs will go into the game on the back of the last Edinburgh derby of the season, which takes place at Easter Road six days previously.

Hearts might have been relegated but they have certainly had their rivals’ number this season having already beaten them on three occasions, twice in the League and once in the League Cup.

They will certainly not lack for motivation in this one, something that can’t be guaranteed when they meet the other teams around them.

Had I swapped Dundee United for Ross County I would have predicted the top and bottom sixes correctly.

As it was, I got Celtic’s runaway win plus the tussle between Motherwell and Aberdeen for second place on the money.

The latter is essentially the only issue left to play for and, although Motherwell have done really well to hang in there, I think the Dons should have enough quality to tie it up.

Do that and add the Scottish Cup to the League Cup already in their possession and they will also resolve another of the few remaining questions left to answer from the 2013/14 season.

I am referring, of course, to the identity of the Manager of the Year which could then only be Derek McInnes.