SCOTT ALLAN insists it is merely ‘a matter of time’ before Hibs kick-start their stuttering season under boss Paul Heckingbottom.

The capital club have failed to live up to expectations this term and are toiling in 10th spot in the Premiership having only once in the league - against lowly St Mirren.

Heckingbottom has come under increased scrutiny from some disgruntled supporters during the malaise, despite guiding the Hibees to the last four of the Betfred Cup.

The Englishman has also emerged unbeaten from a run of clashes against Kilmarnock, Celtic and Aberdeen and playmaker Allan said: “We’ve signed a lot of new players and some of them are still getting used to Edinburgh and the intensity of Scottish football - on and off the park. I feel like we made a step forward after the Kilmarnock [Betfred Cup] game away from home.

“First and foremost, after a period of conceding goals, we have stopped that now. We got the win on penalties and little things like that can make the difference in your season.

“Going into the Aberdeen game, a lot of people wouldn’t have thought we’d get anything from that game and I’d say we dominated the game, had the better chances and unfortunately just couldn’t see it through to the end.

“That was a good point in terms of where we were at. It’s just a matter of time before it clicks.”

Boss Heckingbottom has been handed a three-game touchline ban by the Scottish FA, one of which is suspended until the end of the season, following his outburst against Celtic.

He was found in breach of disciplinary rule 203 - relating to ‘misconduct during a match’ - by an independent panel at Hampden.

Heckingbottom will be banished to the stands for the two upcoming Premiership fixtures against Hamilton and Ross County but will return to the dugout for the subsequent encounter against Livingston.

The third match of the punishment will only come into effect if the Easter Road boss is found guilty of the same charge before the end of the 2019/20 campaign.