Former Super Eagles’ defender, Efe Ambose was back in the news, but it came on an evening he gave away a penalty that compounded the woes of his side in the Scottish Premiership, in spite of their spirit fight back in the second half, megasportsarena.com reports.
Ambrose’s first half challenge on an opponent paved the way for the implosion of Livingston, as Hibernian strengthened their grip on third place in the Scottish Premiership after Kevin Nisbet and Martin Boyle scored in a 2-1 victory over Livingston.
Scotland striker, Nisbet grabbed his 17th goal of the campaign after just seven minutes before Boyle doubled the home side’s lead with a penalty, while the visitors scored a spot-kick of their own through Jay Emmanuel-Thomas with five minutes left.
Hibs went into the game without Josh Doig, one of two changes to the team that beat Stranraer in the Scottish Cup on Sunday, after the highly-rated left-back sustained a shoulder injury at the weekend and, though Ambrose’s side got due reward for a vastly improved second-half display, they settled for a 2-1 loss on the road.
The opener arrived following a flowing move that carved open a static Lions rearguard. Paul McGinn played in Boyle and the winger, who could have shot himself, played a pass along the six-yard box for Nisbet to tap in.
Livingston, who were likely feeling the effects of Saturday’s penalty shootout defeat to Aberdeen in the FA Cup, had offered very little going the other way and the hosts doubled their advantage from the pot through Boyle.
He dusted himself down having won the spot-kick after going down under Ambrose’s tackle before sending the opposing goalkeeper, Max Stryjek the wrong way, after which Livingston’s coach, David Martindale sent on Jack McMillan for Jackson Longridge two minutes later.
However, that did not upset the balance to the Leith side after Jack Ross’ team stormed into a two-goal lead inside 26 minutes and the comeback efforts from Ambrose’s side fell just short of fuition, despite their 86th minute lone goal from the spot.
Ambrose’s coach said afterwards: “The first half killed us. We gave away a cheap goal, albeit a good goal from a Hibs perspective. I think the shape – or the personnel within the shape – killed us. I got that wrong, I got the starting XI wrong, the shape wrong in the first half.
“I tried to change that in the first half but by that point it was too late. I got the boys in at half-time, told them in no uncertain terms what I was looking for, changed the shape, changed the personnel and in the second half they deserve massive credit.”
