7.40pm

Last night's result: Hibernian 1, Motherwell 0.

Wasn't at Easter Road last night, but I suppose given our poor recent there and abysmal recent form, a defeat was no real surprise.  That's now two points from a possible twelve and just one goal in four games, although to be honest we've pretty awful since the turn of the year, and our strikers in particular seem to have gone completely off the boil.  To make matters worse, the point that Dundee Utd took from their game at Parkhead sees them leapfrog us into 3rd place.  With our next three games against Celtic, Dundee Utd and Hibs (again), it's difficult at the moment to see where our next win is going to come from.

Team (4-3-3): Graeme Smith, Malcolm (Darren Smith 83), Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, McGarry (Lappin 58), Hughes, Clarkson, Fitzpatrick, Porter, McCormack. 
Subs Not Used: Daniels, Brian McLean, Lasley, Murray, Murphy.

Booked: Hammell.

Attendance: 11,692.

Mark McGhee's post-match comments were as follows:
"It was a very close game between two closely-matched teams.  We got the first breakthrough when we had an absolute stonewall penalty. I thought that would have won us the game but we didn't get it and they won the game.  I thought it was an assault.

"The goal was poor.  I preach all the time you have got to show people outside and leave them something to do. If you show them inside you give them a chance of a shot.  I think at that time Bob (Malcolm) was starting to tire, he stumbled and the pitch beat him a wee bit."

Our bid for a European place would be in even greater jeopardy if Gretna go to the wall, as appears increasingly likely, with the nine points we have accrued against them so far this season being wiped out.  Not only that, the Evening Times claims that they owe us £70k.

On the other hand, an Old Firm cup final would mean European football for the team finishing 4th in the table...

Speaking of Gretna, their match against St Mirren at Fir Park was postponed on Tuesday as the pitch was, wait for it, waterlogged yet again.  Given the about of rain that has fallen since then, Saturday's game with Celtic must surely be in doubt. 

Steven McGarry has signed a new contract that ties him to the club until 2010.  Keith Lasley is also expected to agree a new deal shortly.

Cast your vote in our new opinion poll:

What is your reaction to the signing of Bob Malcolm?

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