Hibernian are yet to turn in a 90-minute performance of sufficient quality to satisfy John Hughes - and even if the side are sitting joint second with Rangers and just a couple of points off the pace being set at the top by Celtic, the manager will not be slow in reminding his players of that when they gather at the Hibernian Training Centre this morning.

Hughes and his players gather on a Monday morning to review the events of the previous weekend, and most supporters would dearly love to be present at that meeting. Those who were at Easter Road on Saturday witnessed another three points being won by a Hibernian side that are quite simply very difficult to overcome. Falkirk, in particular in the second half, achieved what a number of opponents have done in the current 9-game undefeated run by John Hughes side - they controlled the ball without controlling the game.

Ian Murray has played in many different Hibernian sides over the years, but it is debateable if he has ever been part of a more solid defensive unit, nor a squad that has depth, determination and ultimately a willingness to work for each other regardless of the prevailing conditions. There is a determination it seems also to class Hibernian as a 'lucky' side - there is an equal determination in Ian Murray that they are nothing of the sort: "Lucky? Not really, I thought in the first half that we were the better side. Perhaps in the second half they were a little bit better and they had a few wee half chances but I don't think our goalie had that much to do in the game.

"We've been winning points like that a lot this year and yet I don't think we have hit our top form, we have only really played our best in a couple of 45 minute period here and there. So to keep winning under tough circumstances is very satisfying. We keep on hanging in there and results have gone for us a little bit, so we are now equal second in the league. It seems every week that one half of the Old Firm are dropping points somewhere along the line and it is making it exciting - not just for us but for other teams. If Dundee United can win there game in hand then they will go above both us and Rangers so they are very much in it as well."

The question on if Hibernian or Dundee United could perhaps split the Glasgow sides - or perhaps even better - keeps being raised, and that of course is natural enough given the current league rankings. While it pays the media to drum up a wee bit of a frenzy on such matters, it is reality that remains firmly in the minds of Hibernian management and players: "We have to be honest with you that we have not spoken too much about where this season might go. In regards to third place we are just going out to try and win as many games as possible - last week we were disappointed to draw at St Mirren and also after drawing at Tynecastle the week before. Yet on the face of it, it was not a bad result in the end because they are two hard grounds to go to. If we keep on winning our home games then we will give ourselves a chance.

"The Old Firm will drop points and that is definitely encouraging - and I think that goes for every team when they see them dropping points so regularly. This season they have and it has made it close, they are getting a lot of criticism and they are under a lot of pressure. It is up to ourselves, Aberdeen, Dundee United and others to turn up the heat a little bit and prove to people outside of our league that there is more to the game up here than the Old Firm.

"We need to keep winning or at the least drawing games - we will look for home wins and see what we can do away from home. We have another home game next week so it is another chance for us to pick up the points, then we have a few away games so the next four or five games are big for us. We also have Hearts and Rangers here over Christmas time so we need keep going, gathering points and see what that gets us through the busy holiday programme."   To do that requires depth in the squad - and Murray is convinced the current Hibernian side have that: "I think Dundee United have a good squad, they have shown in the last few weeks when they have had injuries that they can pick up a result.

"We have a good depth to our squad with the boys on the bench and the guys who are not getting stripped to play in the first XI so it shows you they quality that we do have. We need to ensure that we keep going and working hard and eventually our football will click how we want it."

Pics: Willie McGillivray for Hibernian TV