'Neil Lennon's Hibs have always lacked quality' - Ian Murray

By Phil GoodladBBC Scotland
Hibs captain Paul Hanlon applauds the visiting fans, along with Stevie Mallan
Hibs shipped three goals in Norway to crash out Europa League qualifying

Hibernian "look short on quality" after their 3-0 Europa League loss in Molde, according to former captain Ian Murray.

Thursday's defeat ended Hibs' Europa League campaign, with all three goals in Norway the result of slack defence.

Head coach Neil Lennon said the score "flatters Molde" but admitted his squad needs more investment.

"No disrespect to the squad because they've performed to an extremely high level, but I've seen a lot better players do a lot less," Murray said.

Lennon led Hibs to the Championship title in his first season in charge, before guiding the Easter Road club to fourth place in the Premiership last term, amassing their highest-ever top-flight points tally.

However, influential midfield trio Dylan McGeouch, Scott Allan and John McGinn have all moved on this summer.

And Murray says Lennon has "squeezed every inch out of the squad in the last couple of years."

"It's maybe controversial, I think Hibs have always been a wee bit short on quality," the former defender, who made over 260 Hibs appearances, told BBC Scotland.

"Perhaps now is the time for [Lennon] to squeeze the board a little bit for looking for better quality. He's perhaps known deep down all along, certainly mid-to-long-term, that he needs better players."

Hibs 'only have themselves to blame'

Another former Hibs player, Michael Stewart, says the Leith side have "only themselves to blame" for their European exit.

Teenager Erling Braut Haland scored twice after missing last week's 0-0 draw at Easter Road to hold talks about a proposed 9m euro (£8.5m) move to RB Salzburg.

Jamie Maclaren struck a post with a header at 2-0, while Martin Boyle also squandered an opening for Lennon's men.

"If you defend poorly and don't take your chances, you get what you deserve," Stewart said.

"It was never a 3-0 game if you look at the balance of play. Hibs have been punished for not taking their chances and defensively it is very poor.

"Neil will be very frustrated. I wouldn't be surprised if he is making the players aware that was a really good opportunity to progress and they only have themselves to blame."

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