Terry Butcher tells fans they have his sympathy

Hibs boss Terry Butcher has been left just as frustrated as fans. Picture: Robert Perry

The Easter Road side have struggled to build any momentum in the Premiership this season and fell to their 12th loss of the campaign at Partick Thistle on Saturday. Hibs must avoid defeat at sixth-placed St Johnstone, who have a game in hand, on Saturday if they are to keep their top-six hopes alive.

Butcher replaced Pat Fenlon in November and enjoyed a run of three straight top-flight victories after Christmas but, since beating rivals Hearts on 2 January, Hibs have won just once in 11 outings.

The former Inverness manager said: “It is frustrating and annoying and our fans must be feeling frustrated all the time because they’ve seen up and down performances from the team all the time. We have been consistently inconsistent all season.

“We were able to go on a good run when we first came in when we had a style of play that the players were happy with. We have not been able to match that for one reason or another. It does not help when you get injuries and suspensions that upset that rhythm but we want to get back into the groove in terms of results and performances.”

Butcher has been boosted by the return of on-loan winger Duncan Watmore, who scored at Partick. Watmore picked up a foot injury on debut against Raith Rovers and Butcher has warned the 20-year-old to expect some heavy-handed treatment from the opposition.

Butcher added: “Duncan can play on either flank and is the sort of player that invites challenges and rough tackles and things like that.

“I’ve spoken to Duncan about it and he is prepared for that, and he has an old head on young shoulders.”