Josh Mulligan has called for the rest of his team-mates to continue to buy into new Hibernian manager Marink Reedijk’s philosophy and style of play and remains hopeful of being able to put a run of results together.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match against Falkirk at Easter Road, Mulligan said: “I think all the boys in there really are buying into what he’s wanting, and you need that, and if we continue to buy into what he’s wanting, I really believe the performances and results will come.
“It’s important to put in a good performance tomorrow and get up the table.”
Reedijk’s first game in charge of the Easter Road club ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat at Tannadice against Dundee United last weekend.
It was another frustrating afternoon for Hibs, who lacked quality in the final third.
Mulligan admitted that the team fell short in their attempts to carry out the game plan effectively and refused to shy away from a tough start to the campaign.
“We didn’t get the game plan exactly right last weekend.
“You can do it in training, but the most important thing is doing it in the games.
“I think the biggest takeaway from last weekend is that we need to really buy into what he’s wanting us to do.
“It’s been frustrating, and the results and the performances haven’t been good enough.
“That just makes it worse, but results are the only thing that matters in football, and hopefully we can get the three points.
An ankle injury sustained in January against Dunfermline forced Mulligan to miss the remaining four months of last season.
He acknowledged that since returning from injury his performances haven’t been up to the standards produced before his injury, but insisted that he will always back himself as a player.
“It’s been a bit up and down, but like you have to be tough, it’s as simple as that, and you have to keep going.
“I’ve not been consistent enough this season, not nearly enough, and I think that’s a reflection of how we’ve been playing as a team as well.
“I’ve always got that belief in myself, and I think once the team starts really clicking, the performances will come.”
The 23-year-old is expecting a tough test from Falkirk on Saturday and gave an insight into what life has been like under Reedijk.
“Since Falkirk came up last season, they’ve always been a team that has been good on the ball and always tried to play.
“We just need to play our game, and the manager really wants us to go and press.
“If we execute our game plan well, I think we’ll get the three points.
“The training has been really good, really intense, but the games are the only thing that matters, and you need to start doing it in the games.
“Tomorrow is a great opportunity for everyone.”
Hibs sit in 10th position and will be hoping to end a five-match winless run in the league against Falkirk on Saturday.
