GREG’S HIGH FIVE
Docherty delighted to help Hibs fight back for draw
GREG DOCHERTY admits he was thrilled to be back out on the pitch after making his debut for Hibernian as a substitute in yesterday’s draw with St Mirren.
The on-loan Rangers midfielder, Paul McGinn and Marc McNulty all came off the bench in the second half after arriving at the club on deadline day.
It had been a long, frustrating wait to be reacquainted with competitive first-team football for Docherty, his previous outing for the Ibrox outfit coming in last August’s 3-0 Betfred Cup victory at East Fife.
‘I missed that,’ declared the 23-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Shrewsbury.
‘That’s my first first-team game since August. I can’t believe it has been that long but I felt good.
‘I woke up this morning with that buzz again, and it was nice to get on the pitch.’
Docherty shored up the Hibs midfield in the second half after all the game’s goals came in the opening 45 minutes.
Conor McCarthy and Tony Andreu had the visitors in a commanding lead after 18 minutes.
Scott Allan and Christian Doidge, netting his 15th of the campaign, ensured parity was restored prior to the break.
Hibs head coach Jack Ross’s frustration at the concession of the early goals was tempered by watching his team dig deep.
He said: ‘The way it started and finding ourselves two behind, there is encouragement in the fact that the players showed strength of character when, over the course of the game, they have not played to the level they have done recently.
‘So to come back and take something is pleasing.’
Despite both clubs making a total of eight signings in the final week of the transfer window, none of the new arrivals were thrown straight into the action.
‘It is quite obvious to say everyone would agree that we have brought in three good players in terms of their pedigree within Scottish football,’ added Ross, who allowed Swiss striker Flo Kamberi to move to Rangers on loan.
‘Different ages, different positions. I did not have any preconceived plans about how much they would play today but they all ended up playing a decent part.
‘Greg and Paul showed what they can give us — the fans already know what Marc can do.’
For Saints, Lee Hodson, who has returned to Paisley on another loan deal, also climbed off the bench following the recess.
It was the visitors who sped out of the traps in opening up a commanding lead, aided by some brittle defending from Hibs.
Only 14 minutes were on the clock when McCarthy connected with Cammy MacPherson’s corner to power a header beyond home goalkeeper Ofir Marciano.
Andreu doubled St Mirren’s advantage four minutes later, sweeping in Ilkay Durmus’ cut-back from 10 yards after his team-mate had left Hibs right-back David Gray trailing in his wake.
The frustration among the Easter Road faithful was soon appeased as the home side drew level before the break.
Allan reduced their arrears in the 25th minute, tucking home Martin Boyle’s delivery from close range after the pair had initially exchanged clever passes.
Doidge completed the comeback two minutes from the interval with a fine header.
Stephane Omeonga’s cross was behind the striker but Doidge repositioned his feet to angle his effort past Vaclav Hladky.
Following the feast of goals in the opening 45 minutes, the second period was something of an anti-climax.
Hibs fans all got their first sightings of their three newcomers and, in one of the best chances of the second half, McGinn stole in at the back post to meet Allan’s delivery, but his header was brilliantly saved by Hladky.
Daryl Horgan also flashed a left-footed effort wide, while Boyle’s deflected shot drifted just past the post.
As for Saints, Junior Morais’ glancing header flew inches past Marciano’s upright.