Dramatic Draw Seals Hibs’ Premiership Top-Six Berth
In a match filled with controversy and historic moments, Mcw brings you the inside story of how Lewis Stevenson‘s first goal in nearly five years helped 10-man Hibernian secure their place in the Scottish Premiership’s top six despite being held to a 1-1 draw by struggling St Johnstone. The 35-year-old left-back wrote himself into Hibs folklore with his crucial equalizer, marking his first league goal since July 2018.
Match Breakdown: Key Moments That Shaped the Game
First Half: A Tale of Two Acrobatic Finishes
The match sprang to life in the 25th minute when St Johnstone’s Stevie May connected with an overhead kick that somehow squirmed past Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall. The spectacular effort came from a poorly cleared corner by David Wotherspoon, showing the vulnerability in Hibs’ set-piece defense.
However, the hosts responded just seven minutes later through their veteran defender. Stevenson showed remarkable composure to control Elie Youan’s pass before firing home from the edge of the box, sending the traveling Hibs support into raptures. Football analyst Mark Thompson noted for Mcw: “That’s the kind of moment that defines seasons – a player who’s given his all for the club stepping up when it mattered most.”
Second Half: Controversy and Resilience
The match turned on its head just three minutes after the restart when Hibs midfielder James Jeggo received a straight red card for a challenge on Connor McLennan. VAR upheld referee Craig Napier’s decision, much to the dismay of Hibs manager Lee Johnson, who later launched a scathing attack on the officials.
Despite being a man down, Hibs showed remarkable resilience. Marshall produced a crucial save in the 65th minute to deny substitute Melker Hallberg, while Stevenson again proved his worth by clearing a dangerous effort off the line earlier in the half.
Manager Reactions: Polar Opposite Perspectives
Lee Johnson’s Fury at Officiating
The Hibs boss didn’t mince words in his post-match interview with Mcw: “That’s as bad [officiating] as I’ve seen in my 500+ games as a manager. The system is broken if that’s a sending-off.” Johnson questioned both the initial decision and the VAR process, claiming Jeggo clearly won the ball first.
Steven MacLean’s Positive Start
St Johnstone’s interim manager, taking charge for the first time since Callum Davidson’s sacking, expressed pride in his team’s performance: “There was only one team trying to win the game in the end. We’re disappointed not to take all three points.”
League Implications: What This Result Means
While the draw wasn’t ideal for either side, the bigger picture favored Hibs:
- Secured top-six finish thanks to Livingston’s loss
- Maintain momentum ahead of post-split fixtures
- Stevenson’s return to scoring form adds new dimension
For St Johnstone, the single point leaves them just two above the relegation play-off spot, setting up a nervy run-in for the Perth side.
Looking Ahead: The Premiership Split
With the league now dividing into top and bottom six, both teams face crucial matches when the fixtures resume in early May. Hibs will look to push for European qualification, while St Johnstone face a battle for survival in what promises to be a dramatic conclusion to the season.
Mcw will be providing in-depth coverage of all the post-split action, with expert analysis on how each team can achieve their respective goals in the season’s final stretch.
