Hibernian and Terry Butcher relegated after penalty defeat to Hamilton
Hamilton Academical ended Hibernian’s 15-year stay in the Scottish Premiership with a dramatic4-3 penalty shootout victory in the play-off second leg at Easter Road.
Terry Butcher’s side blew their two-goal first-leg lead before Kevin Thomson and Jason Cummings – the double goal hero from Wednesday night’s first clash at New Douglas Park – saw spot-kicks saved by Kevin Cuthbert.
The veteran striker Jason Scotland had given the visitors a 13th-minute lead but the home side thought they had seen out a nervy 90 minutes. However, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Tony Andreu netted a shock equaliser to send the game into extra time and ultimately penalties.
Thomson missed Hibs’ first effort before four perfect attempts from Accies put the pressure on Cummings. Cuthbert read the 18-year-old’s intentions, though, to spark wild celebrations, as Alex Neil’s team sealed their return to the top flight three years after being relegated.
Butcher said afterwards that he would like to continue as Hibs’ manager and the chairman, Rod Petrie, pledged to continue despite about 500 supporters gathering outside the ground to call for the board and Butcher to go.
“Let me start by saying that I am sorry for a dismal season on the pitch,” Petrie said in a statement on the club’s website. “The season started badly last July against Malmo and has finished even worse with relegation to the Championship. The manager and players know that performances have not been good enough.
“We recognise that change is needed. Some supporters have suggested that I should resign as chairman. I take responsibility for the position that the club finds itself in. However, it would be wrong for me to abdicate that responsibility at this time and walk away and it would be wrong for the club.”
Hamilton’s player-manager, Neil, recalled Scotland in place of Mickaël Antoine-Curier after fitness issues limited the Trinidadian to an appearance off the bench in the first leg. It proved a wise choice as the 35-year-old former St Johnstone and Dundee United hitman shattered the Leith side’sfragile confidence with his early opener.
Ryan McGivern was casual with a ball out of defence and saw it intercepted by Ali Crawford. Jon Routledge then poked it to Scotland, who rolled Michael Nelson far too easily before beating Ben Williams with a low drive.
Hibs did their best to respond immediately but were spurned when Paul Heffernan was called back for offside after rounding Kevin Cuthbert. But there was more panic in the Hibs box when Darian MacKinnon set up Louis Longridge for another Hamilton chance. Williams stood up to block with his left foot, though, as Easter Road held its collective breath.
Hamilton’s goal had made for a tense, yet compelling, affair with the home players seemingly gripped by the potential disastrous ramification of any slip-ups. There was a nervousness about them and the jitters were hardly helped by the groans coming from their own fans every time they dithered on the ball. There was no relief of the tension, though, when Cummings got a head to Liam Craig’s deep corner only for Routledge to rescue Accies with a goalline clearance four minutes before the break.
Andreu then fired into the side netting in first-half stoppage time while Scotland found himself crowded out by Williams inside the six-yard box after the restart, but only after selling Craig and Nelson another clever dummy.
While they were not banging down the door, Accies remained in control as the game moved into the final stages. When referee Willie Collum added on four additional minutes, Hibs thought they were nearly safe, but again Nelson let Scotland wriggle past him before he teed up Andreu from eight yards out for the dramatic and deserved leveller.
Hibs had to find some courage from somewhere now and they almost rallied midway through the first half of extra time when the defender Martin Canning allowed a long ball to run in behind him. Craig darted in but was tackled perfectly by the outrushing Cuthbert 10 yards outside his area.
The scares kept on coming for the Easter Road side, though, when Andy Ryan tumbled to the ground after a challenge by Alan Maybury inside the Hibs area but Collum called the fall a dive and booked the Hamilton sub.
With no scoring, Hibs’ fate was to be decided by spot-kicks – but, again with fear in their eyes, it was the home side who blinked first when Cuthbert saved Thomson’s opening effort.
Grant Gillespie, Andreu, Mickaël Antoine-Curier and Scotland all netted for the visitors before Cummings’ tired effort was turned away by Cuthbert again as Hibs’ nightmare season ended in another disaster.