Dylan Levitt spoke to the media after Tuesday night's 2-2 draw between Hibs and Ross County as he reflected on his first start under Nick Montgomery and looked ahead to Saturday's Viaplay Cup semi-final with Aberdeen

What was the mood in the dressing room like after that?

“It was tough. It felt like a defeat, conceding two goals in the time we had to hold onto the game. We have to dust ourselves down and get ready for Saturday. That becomes an even bigger game for us now."

How much are you looking forward to the semi?

“I’m looking forward to that a lot, my first time at Hampden. We need to get the win and reach the final, which would be a great occasion at the club."

How have your first few months been as a Hibs player?

“I’ve been frustrated for a few months. Injuries are part and parcel of football. Obviously it was difficult to be out injured and have the setback just when the new gaffer has come in. But the boys have been doing well, and it was good for me to start a game under the new gaffer."

Do you feel you might have given him something to think about selection-wise?

“Hopefully I did enough to take my chance because, obviously, it was a great occasion for me, getting back out there and playing in front of the fans at Easter Road. There’s no better experience in football, so hopefully I did enough to keep my place."

The manager seemed to appreciate your performance...

“The way the gaffer sets the system up, it’s perfect for a central midfielder like me to get on the ball and play forward. It gives us the stability and the freedom to go and run the game."

What has the manager said to you about your role?

“All the midfielders have been given similar messages about how he wants us to play, getting on the ball as much as possible and playing forward, trying to break lines.

“Obviously the defensive work is just getting up to your man, stopping splits, that kind of stuff.”

What are you expecting from Aberdeen on Saturday?

“Saturday will be tough, it always is. Whenever I’ve played Aberdeen, they’ve been well organised and they obviously have some very dangerous players but the same could be said about us. It will be a tight game, I think, but hopefully we can show what we can do – properly.

Talk us through the post-match review sessions... 

“When we review the game, those sessions are good. Especially when you go over the little clips, showing us the goals we’ve scored, the goals we’ve conceded, chances created, good build-up play, chances we need to take. It gets everyone involved and everyone seems to benefit from it."

Do you just have to sit there and take any criticism?

“Yeah, you can get criticised – but that’s part and parcel of football. You have to take criticism when you need to, get praise when you deserve it."