Saturday May 16th 2026
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
Hibs hopes of qualifying for Europe next season now rely on a Celtic Scottish Cup victory after a first half goal from Lukas Fadinger gave ten-man Motherwell a 1-0 win, securing fourth place and European football for the Steelmen.
Hibs’ European hopes have fluctuated wildly from week to week — at times within touching distance, at others seemingly unattainable.
Their defeat to Celtic two weeks ago appeared to be the final nail in the coffin, with a combination of luck and perfection required from their remaining three fixtures. Yet over the past fortnight, luck and perfection are exactly what they have found.
Two victories — avenging their heavy defeat to Falkirk and securing a dramatic late winner at Ibrox in midweek — overshadowed amongst the chaos at Fir Park, handed Hibs one final opportunity: beat Motherwell at Easter Road and clinch a European place.
Motherwell, however, entered today in pole position, knowing a draw would be enough. They arrived as formidable opponents, with the manner of their midweek defeat surely providing extra motivation — not that any was needed.
For those accustomed to watching Motherwell this season the opening exchanges were a familiar sight as they methodically controlled possession.
Despite their positive play it was a Hibs mistake which presented the away side with their first chance of the afternoon.
A misplaced clearance from Raphael Sallinger found Elijah Just inside the Hibs half. Just drove towards the edge of the Hibs box but dragged his shot wide of goal – an early warning shot for Hibs.
Motherwell continued to probe as the first half progressed.
A teasing cross from Elliot Watt found Tawanda Maswanhises curling run behind the Hibs backline. However, he could not direct his diving effort goalwards as it ballooned off his head and wide.
Hibs struggled to find their footing in the first half, the clock ticking to thirty before they had even mustered half chance at goal.
Nicky Cadden surged forwards down the left-hand side but was denied a clear strike at goal by a Motherwell body charging across to block his shot.
Motherwell finally made good on their first half domination in the 35th minute, deservedly taking the lead through Lukas Fadinger.
Regan Charles-Cook found Fadinger just outside the Hibs area. The Austrian broke through a tackle and let off a left footed strike, taking a major deflection on its way past the outstretched Raphael Sallinger.
Even with consequential action being played in front of them at Easter Road – both sets of fans kept a keen eye on events at Celtic Park.
Phones were not necessary for score updates. An uproar from the Motherwell support responded to by cheers from the Hibs faithful made it clear it was all square through forty-five in the race for the title.
But, in the fight for fourth, Motherwell were in control and entered half time 1-0 ahead.
Even with a potential place in the conference league qualifying rounds at stake, Hibs started the second half just as lethargic as the first.
Elijah Just was nearly gifted a goal after a disastrous Hibs back pass put him one on one with the goalkeeper. Raphael Sallinger rushed out to tighten his angle and deny him a clear shot at goal.
Shortly after Sallinger was once again forced into action. His acrobatic save diving to his right kept out Callum Slatterys sweetly struck volley – preventing Hibs from falling further behind.
From the resulting corner it seemed as through Motherwell had doubled their lead courtesy of a Stephen Welsh header. However, a VAR check spotted a foul in the process, ruling the goal out – another bitter VAR pill for Motherwell to swallow this week.
Hibs were given an excellent opportunity to find a way back into the game when in the 66th minute Motherwell were reduced to ten-men.
A late challenge from Elliot Watt on Miguel Chaiwa resulted in his second yellow card and for once, having been on the receiving end of multiple red cards in recent weeks, Hibs had a numerical advantage.
In search of an equaliser, Dane Scarlett came close from a well worked short free kick. He flashed an effort on target, beating Matty Connelly in the Motherwell goal, but the ball did not find its way over the line – denied by a sliding Callum Slattery.
Hibs flirted with an equaliser late on, courtesy of Ante Suto but he could not direct his strike goalwards as Motherwell sealed fourth place and victory over Hibs.
The Hibs home support did not seem too distraught with the loss, basking in the news of a Celtic winner – preventing the title from turning maroon.
Here’s what David Gray had to say about the end of his sides league campaign and todays loss:
“We got what we deserved today, unfortunately.
“I think Motherwell were the better side. From our point of view the first half was disappointing because of everything that was at stake and how we approached it. The second was better, but I think over the piece Motherwell were worthy winners.
“Now after 38 games, the league does not lie, we finished fifth and congratulations to the four teams that finished above us.
“When I reflect now the biggest disappointment for us is how we started a game of that magnitude. What we had done in recent weeks to claw the gap and give ourselves an opportunity. That was our cup final today and unfortunately we didn’t produce.”
Just like many did this weekend, Hibs fans will be routing for a Celtic victory in the Scottish Cup Final next weekend. A Celtic win over Dunfermline would see David Gray’s side join Motherwell in the second qualifying round of the Uefa Conference League.
So, Hibs’ chance to determine their own European fate may have ended but there is one final hope for European fixtures in Leith next season.
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