Scorer’s salute for the new boss

DARYL HORGAN last night hailed the instant impact of Hibs new head coach Paul Heckingbottom.

The Irish winger had a fine game on the left flank, teeing up Florian Kamberi’s opening goal as Heckingbottom’s reign got off to a winning start.

‘You always want a good start under a new manager and, thankfully, we got one,’ said the former Preston man.

‘We played on the front foot, getting out wide and getting in crosses.

‘The manager set us up solidly but still gave us opportunities to create and break.

‘He took the shackles off and made it easy for us.’

Although there was some debate over whether Kamberi got a touch on Horgan’s cross, the winger was happy to clear the issue up afterward.

‘I saw Flo get the toe on it, so it’s his goal — if he didn’t, I’d have been saying something!’

Struggling for form and involved in the stormy team meeting that led to former boss Neil Lennon’s suspension and ultimate departure, Kamberi has been an embattled figure this season.

‘The joy of being a striker is you’re always in the firing line, having to score goals,’ added Horgan.

‘Sometimes you can be lucky, the ball goes in off the back, off your head and you’re a superstar, or you can be brilliant for 90 minutes, not score and fingers are pointed at you.

‘It’s a horrible position at times but I’m delighted for him.’