‘Catastrophic errors’ cost us in 6-3 loss, says Thornton Hibs boss Craig Gilbert

“We made catastrophic errors on all fronts at Edinburgh,” said Hibs gaffer Craig Gilbert. “We didn’t play well.

"We just gave them goals galore and it’s not like us. The boys always give 100% but it was just a poor day.

"We were 5-1 down at half-time, got it back to 5-2, 5-3 after changing the shape at half-time. We were getting back into the game but then we got a sucker punch, breakaway sixth goal that kind of killed us off.

"Edinburgh Uni thoroughly deserved their win. They’ve had good results the last four or five games.

"I thought I was watching Bayern against PSG!”

Thornton, who are second on 56 points from 28 matches and have already guaranteed promotion, play their next league fixture at home to bottom club Luncarty this Saturday in a 2.30pm kick-off.

Gilbert added: “Some boys must be saying that it’s hard for them to be motivated for the remaining league games when we have already guaranteed promotion.

"But I’m saying to them that we need six points to try and finish as high as we can.

"We are trying to get second.

"We could have maybe clinched second on Saturday there but by losing we have to go again this Saturday against Luncarty.

"It’s playing against those teams at the bottom of the league that worries me.

"Our final league game of the season (on Saturday, May 16) is at Whitehill Welfare and they are in danger of getting relegated as well. They are fifth bottom.

"I just hope we’re not going to their ground in a couple of weeks with the scenario that if we win, we relegate them.

"That would be a dampener for us.”

Speaking before Wednesday’s semi-final, Gilbert stressed his hope that the team would make it past Kinnoull and reach the King Cup final on Sunday, May 24.

He added: “If we win, the boys have got two games to get their finger out for a cup final. They’ll be playing for final places.”