Is third place on?..

[JamesHFC]

If we do get top 6 then we will probably play The Rangers, Hearts & Aberdeen away which will be difficult.

[AFKA5814_Hibs]

Have to win on Sunday. Would expect Aberdeen to beat Killie at home. Hertz v St Mirren could go either way, both teams are involved in fight for 3rd. St Mirren and Aberdeen both have to play Huns pre split. It is still on but a win this weekend is a must.

[LewysGot2]

If we do get top 6 then we will probably play The Rangers, Hearts & Aberdeen away which will be difficult.

but infinitely better than St Johnstone and Livi at home…

[Donegal Hibby]

Reading the article on Hibs website -

Hoppe says..

“Everyone wants to move forwards with the common goal of finishing in the top six; that’s the main goal.

What is this all about ? No wonder we didn’t turn up last week when it mattered.
Main goal at the minute is top 6 if that happens we move our main goal to getting into Europe . I think third place is gone btw though fourth place is possible.

[Tambo]

Another weekend of football gone which could be very key for the race to 3rd.

7 points at this stage is a very big ask to catch aberdeen in 3rd
Another big weekend next weekend with

Aberdeen away to Ross County.
St mirren away to the Huns.
Livingston at home to St Johnstone.

Can see Aberdeen and Livingston winning and then you have Motherwell at Home to Dundee United who are on form at the moment.

Another opportunity today not taking which mounts more pressure on LJ.

[JohnM1875]

Another weekend of football gone which could be very key for the race to 3rd.

7 points at this stage is a very big ask to catch aberdeen in 3rd
Another big weekend next weekend with

Aberdeen away to Ross County.
St mirren away to the Huns.
Livingston at home to St Johnstone.

Can see Aberdeen and Livingston winning and then you have Motherwell at Home to Dundee United who are on form at the moment.

Another opportunity today not taking which mounts more pressure on LJ.

I think we need to stop talking about third at this stage. It's gone.

Be lucky to make the top six now as I can't see us picking up any points in the remaining two games. Just have to hope Livi continue being pish.

[Spike Mandela]

At this rate third bottom is more likely than third top.

[Jim44]

Poor as they are, I can see Livvy getting six points in their two games before the split, while it’s looking like we might only scrape two or three.

[blackpoolhibs]

Poor as they are, I can see Livvy getting six points in their two games before the split, while it’s looking like we might only scrape two or three.
Where?

[Keith_M]

Could somebody please change the thread title to "Can we finish in the top six?"

[Callum_62]

I think the answer is now, no.

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[Jim44]

Poor as they are, I can see Livvy getting six points in their two games before the split, while it’s looking like we might only scrape two or three.


Where?

I can see us maybe scraping a win against St. Johnstone, or a draw against both. ‘Might’ is the operative word. But it’s academic as Livvy are more likely to rise to the occasion and win both their games. The only ‘certainty’, is that we probably won’t be relegated.

[A Hi-Bee]

Hibs are pish right now with a piss poor manager, but **** the hertz.

[Hibees1973]

Admin.

Time to shut this ridiculous thread down.

[chrisski33]

Not a chance with this bunch of imposters and a manager as streaky as streaky bacon!

[Tambo]

I think we need to stop talking about third at this stage. It's gone.

Be lucky to make the top six now as I can't see us picking up any points in the remaining two games. Just have to hope Livi continue being pish.

I said that at full time in the match thread that all talk should stop of top 3 and worry about top 6.

Was just posting the possibilities of next weekend and a glimpse of hope for some, after today not a chance for us.

[j'adorehibs]

get beat of hearts on Saturday and i think we will struggle for a top 6 finish and that for me is a sackable offence

[JamesHFC]

If The Rangers & Celtic win tomorrow then a win against Aberdeen next week puts us right in the mix.

Playing both Glasgow sides at home is the best advantage we could get. Chances of us getting anything are slim but a win next week makes things interesting.

[JohnM1875]

If The Rangers & Celtic win tomorrow then a win against Aberdeen next week puts us right in the mix.

Playing both Glasgow sides at home is the best advantage we could get. Chances of us getting anything are slim but a win next week makes things interesting.

Was thinking the same after the match yesterday. Starting to believe again...

[Hibee Mac]

I don't see third being a possibility, we would need to beat hearts and Aberdeen, improve our goal difference by at least 2 on Aberdeen and then hope that Aberdeen lose every single game of the split.

It's not happening realistically, that being said 4th place is well on if we can beat hearts.


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[Frazerbob]

I don't see third being a possibility, we would need to beat hearts and Aberdeen, improve our goal difference by at least 2 on Aberdeen and then hope that Aberdeen lose every single game of the split.

It's not happening realistically, that being said 4th place is well on if we can beat hearts.


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Agreed, Aberdeen beating the Huns was the nail in the coffin for 3rd.

[Chorley Hibee]

I don't see third being a possibility, we would need to beat hearts and Aberdeen, improve our goal difference by at least 2 on Aberdeen and then hope that Aberdeen lose every single game of the split.

It's not happening realistically, that being said 4th place is well on if we can beat hearts.


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Deep down, I don't think we'll finish third, but should Aberdeen lose today, and we win at Pittodrie next week, it's really not as distant a hope as you think.

We'd only be three behind, and likely have a better goal difference too.

Both games at home to the Old Firm, and both more than likely being dead rubbers to them, could very well work in our favour too.

[B.H.F.C]

I really can’t see us competing for third but a win up at Aberdeen would give us a chance. A very small chance, but a chance.

[KeithTheHibby]

Need Hearts and Aberdeen to lose today.
We then need to win next week away to Aberdeen.
Only then does it become interesting for third.

[Dashing Bob S]

No chance 3rd, 4th possible but doubtful. Would take 5th but only if we progressed beyond Hearts in Europa Conference next season.

[The Wireless]

3rd place is on if we beat Aberdeen.We need to Win.

[Lancs Harp]

Basically and obviously we need as many points as we can get and the ugly sisters to win every game apart from playing us and each other.

[Ronniekirk]

3rd place is on if we beat Aberdeen.We need to Win.

thats a huge ask Given there current form we would need to put in a performance for both half’s Something we have struggled to do
I would think if we could get a draw it would be a decent result
We could do with more options off the bench Myko to come on as dub for last twenty minutes would be a plus and we keep hearing Devlin is now up to speed and fit to play but he can’t get game time off the bench If JHD is out with concussion it’s a blow as we seemed to loose our way when he went off

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

European football of any kind will mean an early start to preparation for next season. Whether we get a sustained run in Europe or not, that preparation will stand us in good stead for the season ahead and we won't have to use League Cup games to try formations and line ups.

[Northernhibee]

For third I reckon we’ll need at least ten points from the remaining games, just a hunch.

[bingo70]

Aberdeen striker miovski off injured with what looked quite a bad one, that won’t help their chances of holding on to 3rd place.

Goes without saying I want us to finish 3rd but we will probably need to beat Aberdeen and Hearts plus take something off one if the old firm sides. Seems a bit unrealistic to me in all honesty.

I know this might be negative but to me it’s really important Hearts don’t get 3rd and group stage football again. Would be unhealthy for the rest of the league for any non OF club to get that two years in a row.

[Steven79]

No chance 3rd, 4th possible but doubtful. Would take 5th but only if we progressed beyond Hearts in Europa Conference next season.We are one point behind Hearts with a game against them at Tynecastle.

Definitely possible...

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[bingo70]

We are one point behind Hearts with a game against them at Tynecastle.

Definitely possible...

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It’s also relevant they’ve played one of the old firm though and we’ve not. Looking at points total isn’t enough at this stage, also need to look at who’s left to play.

[PHeffernan]

This weeks top 6 results have gone as predicted.
Next week will be more telling with our game at Aberdeen and Hearts needing to match our win against St Mirren.
The dead rubbers involving the OF may give us a chance for 4th with Rangers already playing fringe players and Celtic tying up the league today.

[bingo70]

This weeks top 6 results have gone as predicted.
Next week will be more telling with our game at Aberdeen and Hearts needing to match our win against St Mirren.
The dead rubbers involving the OF may give us a chance with Rangers already playing fringe players and Celtic tying up the league today.

Just watched the last half hour of the Rangers game and they’ve got their flip flops on already. I’d be a bit surprised if they won their remaining 4 games.

[Bristolhibby]

European football of any kind will mean an early start to preparation for next season. Whether we get a sustained run in Europe or not, that preparation will stand us in good stead for the season ahead and we won't have to use League Cup games to try formations and line ups.

Potentially play some friendlies too.

J

[B.H.F.C]

Just watched the last half hour of the Rangers game and they’ve got their flip flops on already. I’d be a bit surprised if they won their remaining 4 games.

They will drop points, outside of their game against Celtic. Need to make sure it’s to us. That’s the game that makes the difference between finishing above fifth I think.

[Keith_M]

It’s also relevant they’ve played one of the old firm though and we’ve not. Looking at points total isn’t enough at this stage, also need to look at who’s left to play.


:agree:

[JimBHibees]

It’s also relevant they’ve played one of the old firm though and we’ve not. Looking at points total isn’t enough at this stage, also need to look at who’s left to play.

Absolutely valid point think St Mirren may struggle to get anything hopefully not the case of course as could do with them drawing with Hearts and Aberdeen. Key point also is where the games are being played. All non OF teams are much better at home than away.

[Allant1981]

Of course its still on,despite a couple of posters on here calling folk deluded, whether we do it or not is another matter, the way the league has been going this year anything can happen

[Bridge hibs]

Absolutely valid point think St Mirren may struggle to get anything hopefully not the case of course as could do with them drawing with Hearts and Aberdeen. Key point also is where the games are being played. All non OF teams are much better at home than away.

St Mirren have the Indian sign over hearts and it wouldnt surprise me if they won, I think we have to pick something up at Aberdeen too no matter

[GreenGray]

There’s a chance at 4th, maybe 3rd, but everything would have to fall into place.

Perhaps now Aberdeen have lost one and Robson has permanent contract the wheels start to fall off for them.

Perhaps since Celtic and Rangers have little to play for domestically we could nick a point or a win against them.

Slim chance but never know.


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[Col2]

So.. most would agree realistically it’s 4th at best.

Anyone know the difference between finishing 4th or 5th re Europa conference qualifying rounds (currently 4 rounds before league)?

[Hibbyradge]

So.. most would agree realistically it’s 4th at best.

Anyone know the difference between finishing 4th or 5th re Europa conference qualifying rounds (currently 4 rounds before league)?

One round.

[Paulie Walnuts]

So.. most would agree realistically it’s 4th at best.

Anyone know the difference between finishing 4th or 5th re Europa conference qualifying rounds (currently 4 rounds before league)?

On the presumption Celtic win the cup 4th has to play a qualifying round and a playoff to reach the Conference League group, 5th would have to play two qualifying rounds and a playoff to reach the Conference League group.

[Scooter]

It's possible, but we must beat Aberdeen and take something from both old firm games. I seen someone post 10 points probably needed from remaining games and I don't think that's far off what we would need

[SHODAN]

I would consider this a fantastic season if we somehow manage to beat Hearts to 4th, taking into account how far ahead they were at the turn of the year.

[Up-the-slope]

getting ahead of ourselves if we assume ICT wont win cup... long shot I know but 5th COULD be nowt

[bingo70]

getting ahead of ourselves if we assume ICT wont win cup... long shot I know but 5th COULD be nowt

Even if it doesn’t get us a European place, I’ll still be relatively satisfied as when you look at budgets it’s where we should be. Would mean we haven’t over performed this season which would be a bit disappointing but considering the state we were in this time last year it would still point to progress and heading in the right direction.

[Keepthefaith]

I would consider this a fantastic season if we somehow manage to beat Hearts to 4th, taking into account how far ahead they were at the turn of the year.

I think next weekend results are going to be key in relation to this. If we take something from Aberdeen and hearts don't beat st mirren then 4th is genuinely on. Might still mean us having to win at tynie though due to their better goal difference...

[evy]

Was saying at work last week that with 3rd being near enough done (caveated with 'if we win the first 2 and aberdeen lose the first 2 my mind may change'), my perfect petty final table would be 3rd Aberdeen, 4th Hibs, 5th Hearts with ICT winning the cup. This would be that Aberdeen miss out on guaranteed groups and Hearts don't get european football at all.

[He's here!]

Was saying at work last week that with 3rd being near enough done (caveated with 'if we win the first 2 and aberdeen lose the first 2 my mind may change'), my perfect petty final table would be 3rd Aberdeen, 4th Hibs, 5th Hearts with ICT winning the cup. This would be that Aberdeen miss out on guaranteed groups and Hearts don't get european football at all.

Hearts finishing 6th would be equally satisfactory, bearing in mind ICT won't win the cup.

[Hibee Mac]

Was saying at work last week that with 3rd being near enough done (caveated with 'if we win the first 2 and aberdeen lose the first 2 my mind may change'), my perfect petty final table would be 3rd Aberdeen, 4th Hibs, 5th Hearts with ICT winning the cup. This would be that Aberdeen miss out on guaranteed groups and Hearts don't get european football at all.Is that right? So the winner of the cup gets the guaranteed group stage and third in the league doesn't? That doesn't sound right to me...

If that is the case then I don't think the cup winner should get group stage they should get a qualifier and third retains the groups.

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[bringbackbenny]

Is that right? So the winner of the cup gets the guaranteed group stage and third in the league doesn't? That doesn't sound right to me...

If that is the case then I don't think the cup winner should get group stage they should get a qualifier and third retains the groups.

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It's definitely correct, Cup winners higher up the access list than 3rd in league.

Scotland row 9 in this table

https://kassiesa.net/uefa/AccessList2023.html

[hibee_girl]

Is that right? So the winner of the cup gets the guaranteed group stage and third in the league doesn't? That doesn't sound right to me...

If that is the case then I don't think the cup winner should get group stage they should get a qualifier and third retains the groups.

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If Inverness win the cup they enter into the play off round of the Europa league.

If they get knocked out that round they drop down into the Europa Conference League instead so would be guaranteed some form of group stage games. Like Hearts this season.

I think :greengrin

[007]

Is that right? So the winner of the cup gets the guaranteed group stage and third in the league doesn't? That doesn't sound right to me...

If that is the case then I don't think the cup winner should get group stage they should get a qualifier and third retains the groups.

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It is right and I said the same as you when it was 1st announced. Just wait until we get a St Johnstone or an ICT in group stage European football. Hearts took a few hammerings this season so imagine what could happen to a lower Premiership standard team.

[SickBoy32]

Tbh I agree with giving more weighting to the winners of the Scottish Cup, undoubtedly a bigger achievement than 3rd place which is essentially just a best of the rest / also ran in a 12 team league

League Cup has been devalued through the removal of the associated Euro entry, let's not do the same for our #1 cup tournament

[evy]

Tbh I agree with giving more weighting to the winners of the Scottish Cup, undoubtedly a bigger achievement than 3rd place which is essentially just a best of the rest / also ran in a 12 team league

League Cup has been devalued through the removal of the associated Euro entry, let's not do the same for our #1 cup tournament

Totally agree, and we're not unique going by that access list provided. Plenty leagues giving preference to cup winner over lower league placings.

[Fergus52]

Totally agree, and we're not unique going by that access list provided. Plenty leagues giving preference to cup winner over lower league placings.

It's a uefa directive, the best place after champions league spots has to go to the cup winners

[evy]

It's a uefa directive, the best place after champions league spots has to go to the cup winners

Fair enough, didn't know that.

[Since452]

A win at Pittodrie then yes.

[Vini1875]

A win at Pittodrie is a must, while hearts lose and then we have to take points from celtc, while hearts beat aberdeen and then we beat hearts at tynie while celtc beat aberdeen.

So no I can't see us getting 3rd and would be amazed and delighted to get 4th at this stage given how poor our season has actually been.

[Hibee Mac]

It is right and I said the same as you when it was 1st announced. Just wait until we get a St Johnstone or an ICT in group stage European football. Hearts took a few hammerings this season so imagine what could happen to a lower Premiership standard team.Cheers folks, news to me! Seems daft when the overall aim of Scottish teams in Europe is a collective goal to do well. Having ICT in the group stages is bad for everyone.

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[Percy Vere]

A win at Pittodrie, but then we have back to back old firm.
Unfortunately don’t see us getting more than a draw either game.
So nope, think 4th is realistic and I’d take it now with Hearts hopefully falling to 6th and St Mirren stealing the last Euro place.

[Spike Mandela]

Third is gone. Losing recently to Motherwell, Dundee Utd and drawing with St Johnstone put paid to that.

4th is acheivable but will require us to keep a high perfomance level to get results against tricky opposition and hope that Hearts don’t get wins against other teams.

[Bristolhibby]

Cheers folks, news to me! Seems daft when the overall aim of Scottish teams in Europe is a collective goal to do well. Having ICT in the group stages is bad for everyone.

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It’s why the Cup is so important.

Wouldn’t mind winning it a tad sooner than 2130 though.

J

[Widhibs]

4th now I reckon