Tam McManus pans 2 Hibs flops 'who are as reliable as a chocolate teapot' and damaging David Gray

Tam McManus didn't hold back in his criticism of Hibs goalkeeper duo Josef Bursik and Jordan Smith - claiming that the pair are as much use as 'chocolate teapots' with the club rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Bursik was the club's starting goalkeeper at the beginning of the campaign, but with just one win in 12 games whilst he manned the goal, Smith was given the nod for the game against Aberdeen in midweek. It's safe to say that he didn't impress, with three goals conceded in the Granite City only being saved by the club's attacking ranks, who also stuck three past the hosts to rescue a point at the death.

And with Hibs propping up the standings, it means that heading into December, failure to beat Motherwell will at least see the Leith-based outfit in one of the two relegation-threatened spots alongside rivals Hearts - in which McManus has blamed the goalkeeping contingent for their series of mistakes.

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Speaking to the Daily Record, McManus said: "I made my living as a striker... but I know a dodgy goalie when I see one. Unfortunately Hibs right now have two keepers who are killing them and killing David Gray at the same time. The manager's job is on the line and he needs players he can trust.

"But the two guys in the most important position are about as reliable as a chocolate teapot. This is the biggest call Gray has to make ahead of tomorrow's trip to Motherwell. I can guarantee Steelmen boss Stuart Kettlewell will have watched the last few games and will be telling his players to put every corner and free-kick right on top of the goalie, no matter if it's Jordan Smith or Josef Bursik.

"Bursik has made a number of errors since the start of the season and Smith deserved his chance against Aberdeen on Tuesday. But he blew it. He was badly at fault for the Dons' second goal and I really think he should be saving the third too. Individual errors are killing Hibs this season and the goalies are chief culprits. It's a real issue for Gray. Neither of those guys are good enough and it's another black mark against the Easter Road recruitment team who signed both this summer.

"Who does Gray go with at Fir Park? Maybe third time's a charm and he could give Max Boruc a chance. He simply can't do any worse and on the few occasions he played last season, he looked the part. Hibs are bottom of the table and need to stop leaking goals or they'll stay there."

McManus claims that he is no stranger to poor Hibs goalies. Back in his day at Easter Road, the former striker claimed that Morten Hyldgaard was exactly the same, with the stopper failing to feature for the club after coaches realised they 'had signed a dud'.

McManus continued: "Back in my day, we signed a Danish guy called Morten Hyldgaard as back-up goalie to Daniel Andersson. We did shooting practice every Friday with Gerry McCabe, who was Bobby Williamson's assistant. There was myself, Garry O'Connor, Derek Riordan and Stephen Dobbie lining up to batter shots at the new keeper. We always made it a competition but on Morten's first week there was no winner... because every shot went in.

"Hyldgaard was a giant - about 6ft 6in - and could touch the crossbar when he was on his knees. But it took about two minutes for us to suss out the big guy couldn't get down to his left. Every shot we put there would end up in the net. It started as a joke but soon you could see Bobby and Gerry getting angrier and angrier as they realised they had signed a dud. No surprise Hyldgaard never played a game for Hibs.

"Bobby watched that drill and must have thought, 'I can't trust this guy'. Unfortunately Gray must be thinking the same about his two keepers."