Hibernian manager Marink Reedijk
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Adam Bowen
Hibs lost 2-1 to Falkirk last weekend but Reedijk felt that the performance was much better compared to the previous week against Dundee United.
I noticed a change in approach over the 2 halves by Reedijk’s side. The first half, there seemed to be a struggle going forward, Hibs were able to get to the halfway line just fine, but as soon as they got there, there seemed to be a lack of idea and a lack of options for players like Passlack to play the ball into. Therefore, the ball kept going backwards.
In the second half however Hibs were flying forward, constantly finding the ball into Falkirk’s half and creating numerous good chances.
I asked Reedijk about this in the post-match press conference, saying that there seemed to be quite a contrast in attacking prominence in the second half and whether he had changed anything tactically at half time.
Reedijk replied that he didn’t believe it was the whole of the first half, but he did agree that definitely in the first period of the match, there was a struggle to get into the opponent’s half.
He went on to answer my question further, “Then, after that, we had some momentum where we got better and forward. The goals don’t help after that.
“Then we had momentum again. We scored a goal, come back in, and what we wanted to do is we wanted to play a little bit too much in my opinion.
“Sometimes you need to clip it in behind. This variation, we found better. And if, in order to clip it in behind, you need also runners in behind. So this was the focus point, combined with switching the play in order to make sure that they have to move, move, move, and then you come through, because Falkirk was in a low block for the majority of the match.
“And this is not easy to play against, but they can do it, because they are in the match. And this is what we need to avoid, because then they cannot do this so easily.”
As you can see above, Reedijk explained there that there was a change in approach, he admitted at times that his team overplayed the ball and that the clipped ball in behind was working better.
If you noticed a change watching the game in attacking phase within the halves, then that was why. Hibs started focussing on switching play with a bit more intent forcing the Falkirk players to move which allowed the clipped ball in behind the Falkirk midfield, as it forces the opposition players to be out of position. This is what allowed Hibs to get the ball into the attacking third quicker and more consistently.
Although, as Reedijk said, it is hard to play against a low block, however interestingly he implied above that it is up to Hibs to not concede the goals, as that was the reason why Falkirk could set up like that, as they had the upper hand.
This personal view has been written by Midlothian Council Leader Kelly Parry
As a parent, I completely understand why the reports of bomb threats to schools this week have frightened families. There is nothing more instinctive than wanting to protect your children, and I have every sympathy with parents who struggled with the decision about whether to send their children to school on Tuesday. No parent should feel judged for being worried, and I know that for some families, the anxiety was very real.
I faced that same decision myself. I sent my own daughter to school on Tuesday, and I want to explain why. It was not because I was unconcerned, or because I took the threats lightly. Quite the opposite, I considered the information available, listened to the professional advice and made what I believed was the right decision for my child.
As someone who leads a council, I understand the responsibility that comes with decisions affecting thousands of families. You have to listen, consider the evidence and take advice from the people whose job it is to assess risk. The advice from Police Scotland was that the threats were being treated as a hoax, with no imminent risk identified. On that basis, I believed it was right to send my daughter to school.
I respect that other parents may have reached a different decision. We all have to make these choices for our own children, and nobody should be made to feel guilty for being frightened or for wanting a little more reassurance. Parents, pupils and school staff have been put in an incredibly difficult position, and they deserve compassion, not criticism.
But we must also recognise what keeping our schools open means. Schools provide routine, friendship, education and a sense of normality. Our teachers and support staff work hard to make them safe, welcoming places, and they deserve our thanks for continuing to care for children during an unsettling week.
We should take every threat seriously, investigate it properly and never become complacent. But there is a difference between taking a threat seriously and allowing fear to dictate our lives.
Those who deliberately create fear cause real harm. And when people seek to exploit that fear to stir up hostility, division or distrust in our communities, we must be careful not to give them what they want.
As a parent, I want my daughter to grow up knowing that her safety matters. But I also want her to grow up confident, resilient and free to enjoy her childhood without being frightened into believing that danger is around every corner.
On Tuesday, I made the decision I believed was right for my daughter, based on the advice available to me. I know other parents faced the same difficult choice, and I have nothing but sympathy for them.
We must always be vigilant, but we must also be guided by evidence, trust those working to keep us safe, and stand together as communities. Our children deserve to learn, laugh and grow up without fear being allowed to win.
Written by Midlothian View Editor, Phil Bowen
Road Policing officers are appealing for information following a crash in Danderhall.
Around 4.30pm on Friday, 16 October, 2026, a black Range Rover struck a pedestrian on Old Dalkeith Road, Danderhall. The Range Rover did not stop at the scene.
The pedestrian, a 17-year-old girl, attended hospital for treatment.
Constable Geoff Valentine said: “This was a frightening incident for the pedestrian, and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the vehicle prior to come forward and speak to officers.
“I’d also ask that those driving in the area at the time with a dash-cam review their footage to see if it has captured anything that could assist with our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3760 of 16 October, 2026.
