Allan winning over Easter Road objectors

● Returnee stars in dominant Hibs midfield as Dons are brushed aside in impressive style

winning. In terms of creativity, Aberdeen had a guy following me about the park for the first 45 minutes and I still made things happen. That’s my game and I can play it as well as anybody.”

No-one can accuse the 26-year-old of lacking belief in his own ability but he also believes in those around him and on the evidence of his showing against an albeit under-par Aberdeen side, his faith is well-founded.

There were few failings for Hibs on a day when Aberdeen manager Mcinnes will have struggled to find any player in his ranks who lived up to his full potential.

At the back, the return of Darren Mcgregor and Paul Hanlon gave them a solid foundation and the longer the match went on the more the midfield outshone their counterparts. Up front, Jamie Maclaren and Florian Kamberi provide the movement and the presence and a willingness to take responsibility and test the opposition keeper that has been lacking for too long.

Maclaren’s industry did not reap the personal reward he was looking for but he did play a key role in the side’s victory. Unafraid to lash a shot at goal all afternoon, he was at it again in the 47th minute and while goalkeeper Freddie Woodman initially blocked, Allan pinged the ball back into the danger area for the Aussie striker to have another attempt. The keeper again dived to save but parried it towards Martin Boyle, who headed into the empty net.

The second goal wrapped things up in the 59th minute. Andrew Considine did not clear the lines quickly enough and Kamberi hit a shot on the turn past Woodman.