HOT HIBS BLOT OUT THE NOISE
Ross’ men clinical in dismantling virus-hit Saints
IN danger of being lost in the circus around this game is the fact that Hibs look capable of being quite the star attraction this term. Fluent, composed and well balanced, Jack Ross’ side eased to a 3-0 win in Paisley with the suspicion being that Covid-hit goalkeeper Jan Alnwick’s absence was ultimately immaterial to the outcome of this encounter.
Hibs continue to separate Rangers and Celtic at the top of the table with five wins from their opening seven games, with a 100 per cent away record. Sustaining their early-season form as the campaign progresses will be difficult but on evidence they look more than likely of hanging around at the top end of the table.
Ross has engineered more than just self-belief at Easter Road. Joe Newell scored the second goal of the game but was impressive throughout in a central-midfield role and looks entirely invigorated under the tutelage of Ross. Alexander Gogic has added a layer of protection to the Hibs defence and contributes steel to a midfield that boasts equal parts creativity.
Ross was appreciative of the disruption caused by Alnwick’s absence but applauded the mindset of his players who moved within three points of leaders Rangers.
‘I went through that a few weeks ago and it is a hindrance,’ said Ross. ‘But I don’t think it was a factor in our performance and the manner in which we won the game.
‘We had tried to ignore the noise around about the game. I hadn’t brought it up with the group.
‘They are such a good group of players. I had a good feeling about today because of the way they have been training all week.
‘I am delighted for them because
I know what they give me every day.’
Hibs were impressive from the off against a St Mirren team who were still reeling from the fact that the game had to go ahead and who started with a goalkeeper who was studying the names of his back four as part of his preparations.
‘I met them two hours before the game,’ said Bobby Zlamal, the emergency loanee who saved midfielder Sam Foley from having to don a pair of goalkeeping gloves for the day.
‘I shook hands and then played. Yesterday when I knew I was coming, I was looking at the squad at the names. There were a few I knew but I was trying to make sure I knew the back four!’
If Jim Goodwin’s fury was evident as he seethed through a pre-match interview in which he laid bare his frustrations at having to play the game despite the problems with goalkeeping personnel, it was nothing to his ire when things finally did kick off.
All eyes, of course, were on Zlamal. He completed the paperwork that enabled him to play just hours before kick-off but no sooner had he introduced himself to his team-mates than he was apologising for lifting the ball out of the back of the net.
Upended from his pre-season with Hearts, Zlamal had not played a game since before lockdown and in total last season made just 13 appearances as the second-choice stopper at Tynecastle.
The damage was done twice in the space of three first-half minutes with Goodwin booting an advertising board and shouting a profanity as the impressive Kevin Nisbet opened Hibs’ account. When Newell doubled that advantage after converting Martin Boyle’s cutback, Goodwin could only stand, arms folded, mute with frustration.
It is to St Mirren’s credit that they managed to rouse themselves after such a dispiriting start. The problem was that Hibs were faster of feet and faster of thought.
It might, though, have been a different game had referee Willie Collum awarded St Mirren a penalty when Ryan Porteous looked to have used two hands to beat away a Jamie McGrath effort, while Easter Road goalkeeper Ofir Marciano was twice called into action to force a fierce Ilkay Durmus free-kick away before repelling Nathan Sheron’s attempt that stemmed from the rebound.
With little to lose, Goodwin put Lee Erwin on at the interval. The former Ross County player’s registration went through late on Thursday evening and he almost made his mark with an effort just seven minutes after his arrival that went just over the bar from the edge of the box.
It was the last act of resistance, however.
Hibs shut down any hint of a comeback when a Newell corner — a decision which could well have gone the other way — left Zlamal backpeddling as the ball arched towards his top right-hand corner. As it came off the side of the post, Boyle turned the ball into the net.
There was a late save from Marciano to deny Cammy MacPherson a late consolation but it was an apt conclusion to a week in which St Mirren, without a win now in their last three matches, have felt themselves on the ropes.
They will undergo a round of testing again today before a decision is made on whether their game against Celtic on Wednesday evening goes ahead.
‘I will get the chance to prepare more,’ said Zlamal drily.
ST MIRREN (4-4-2): Zlamal; Fraser, McCarthy, Foley, Tait; McGrath (MacPherson 82), Sheron (McAllister 59), Erhahon, Durmus (Connolly 59); Dennis (Erwin 45), Obika (Morias 87). Subs (not used): McAllister, Jamieson, Langfield. Booked: McCarthy, Sheron.
HIBERNIAN (4-1-3-2): Marciano; McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Doig; Gogic; Boyle (Shanley 87), Newell
(Mallan 87), Murphy (Wright 81); Doidge, Nisbet
(Gullan 77). Subs not used: Barnes, Gray, Stevenson, Hallberg, McGregor. Booked: Hanlon, Newell.
Referee: Willie Collum.