ALLAN HOLDS THE KEY
Whittaker is backing midfielder to use his creative talents to inspire Hibs
THE management, players and fans were eventually shouting at Scott Allan for all the right reasons. Just when it appeared the moans and groans were about to be cranked up a notch, Easter Road came alive.
Some home supporters unfurled a banner before this clash which read ‘new era — same passion’ but a frustrating display by their team threatened to suck the life out of the stadium.
Owner Ronald Gordon, the US-based businessman who has taken over Hibernian, may be a fresh face but it was an old favourite who ensured they had something to cheer at the start of their Premiership campaign.
Allan, like several of his teammates, had tried desperately to break down an organised St Mirren defence. At times, their attacking presence almost turned out to be their downfall.
It is slowly becoming clear Hibs could be entertaining to watch going forward when they click. But they do leave themselves vulnerable in defence.
For all Saints have been tipped as one of the favourites for the drop, they were impressive in this on the counter-attack.
If they had claimed a point, it would have been the least they deserved against Paul Heckingbottom’s side.
But, finally, quality prevailed. Midfielder Allan, who loves to push forward but perhaps is posted missing when his team are under the cosh, shifted the ball to his right foot and unleashed a brilliant effort with five minutes remaining.
He had earlier hit the post and was left frustrated against the Buddies. However, the man who fell silent at Celtic finally turned up the volume in what is now his third spell in Leith.
‘Scott showed his qualities all day and he had a chance to score earlier when his effort came back off the post — we thought it was going in,’ said Hibs full-back Steven Whittaker.
‘We know if we get him on the ball, then there will be goalscoring chances created for us. He is a great player to have in the team.
‘Sometimes I need to shout at him to do his work off the ball!
‘But he is working hard. His assets are going forward but he is willing to put the work in as well.
‘Most attacking players are more interested in creating rather than defending and I understand that. The manager has us defending as a unit, so it is important everyone does their own roles and Scott understands that.
‘He has been brought here to come in, create for us and chip in with a few goals. He has done that. He has got off to a great start in the league and long may that continue. He will take confidence from this and we are hoping to have a good season.’
Among the glorious chances wasted by Hibs was Allan’s audacious effort just after the break when his curling shot from the left hit the inside of the post. The 27-year-old turned provider on 69 minutes when he sent striker Florian Kamberi through on goal but his shot was saved by Saints goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky and new signing Christian Doidge couldn’t convert the rebound.
What a relief it was, then, for the home faithful when Allan struck the winner.
‘There are positives and negatives to take from the game,’ said Whittaker. ‘We can be better at certain things. It is difficult when a team comes here and sits in like St Mirren did.
‘The longer the game went on, it got harder. The passes start to slow down, we were running out of ideas, but we have someone like Scott to bring us some magic.’
Among those watching on Saturday was Glenn Middleton, who may be close to joining Hibs on loan from Rangers.
Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard commented on Friday that the 19-year-old winger was nearing a switch to Dutch side NAC Breda.
But Heckingbottom remains keen to secure the services of Middleton — particularly after Martin Boyle was ruled out with a long-term knee injury.
Whittaker is familiar with Middleton after playing together at Norwich City, where the Scotland Under-21 international came through the ranks.
‘Being Scottish, I got to know him a little bit and he will fit in well here with the boys,’ said the Hibs defender. ‘He is a great lad with great talent and he would be a good addition if he comes in.
‘He’s another guy who can unlock defences. He’s played through the middle and out left with Rangers. He has power and quality when he gets into the final third.
‘We can give him game time if he isn’t getting it at Rangers, so it will only be good for him if he comes here. He is a different player to Martin Boyle and hasn’t played a lot of first-team football. He could grow here and play more.’
For St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin, winger Ilkay Durmus — who wasted two opportunities on his debut — and Tony Andreu impressed. Defender Sean McLoughlin joined the club last week on loan from Hull City after leaving Cork City. The Irishman blew a great chance at the back post from a corner five minutes before Allan’s strike.
‘We came here with a game plan,’ said the 22-year-old. ‘We knew Hibs would have lots of possession, so we’d have to strike on the counterattack and we got a good few chances off that. We deserved a draw and feel hard done by.
‘I saw my chance late and just glanced it — looking back I should have done better because it would have changed the game. But we had a lot of positives and we have something to build on.’