Hibs continue happy travels and eye third
Jubilant Jack Ross hailed his Hibs players for getting back on track – then challenged them to kick on further in their pursuit of third place.
The Easter Road gaffer was thrilled at seeing his away-day specialists move up to fourth spot in the table – just a point behind Aberdeen – thanks to this latest win on their travels against dire Dundee United at Tannadice.
Ross’s side triumphed on Tayside thanks to Darren Mcgregor’s explosive first-half opener and Martin Boyle’s 69th minute clincher which proved too much for Micky Mellon’s men.
And the Hibs boss saluted his players for ending their ropey run of recent form which had seen them pick just one win in seven games going into this Premiership clash.
Ross said: “We’ve had a sticky period since Boxing Day so it’s important for us to get back to winning games.
“Our away record has been excellent this season. So to continue that again is pleasing.
“You have to do the ugly side of the game well and then hope that you have moments of quality which make the difference – and we got that with both our goals.
“We’ve set high expectations but because we’ve had some disappointments of late maybe things can get magnified a bit more.
“So it’s just about accumulating points in the league. Our points total is good, our defensive record is pretty good and it’s the same for scoring goals.
“It’s maybe just the fact we’ve had this sticky patch over the past month that has clouded things.
“But eight wins away from home this season with clean sheets is good. If we can replicate that form for the rest of the season, then we’re going to have a chance of finishing the season as high as possible.”
Hibs arrived on Tayside having lost 1-0 to league leaders Rangers at Easter Road in midweek, while their shellshocked opponents were smarting after a 5-1 hammering from St Mirren.
The Hibees started without 13-goal striker Kevin Nisbet after rejecting a bid from English Championship outfit Birmingham City. Ryan Porteous was also on the bench after being linked with a move to Millwall.
United were given a prematch boost with the return of Swiss keeper Benjamin Siegrist who replaced Deniz Mehmet between the sticks.
The Tangerines also welcomed back Jeando Fuchs and Calum Butcher who partnered him in midfield.
They started as though they meant business. Butcher caught a glimpse of goal and unleashed a shot from outside the penalty area which was tipped away by visiting keeper Ofir Marciano.
But it wasn’t long before Ross’s side took the lead. Paul Mcginn’s header was brilliantly saved by Siegrist. But from Jackson Irvine’s cutback, Mcgregor struck a thunderous drive home from 16 yards high past Siegrist.
Hibs went in search of a killer second goal after the break. Josh Doig’s angled cross took out the entire United defence but Christian Doidge couldn’t glance his header into the far corner.
Hibs made it 2-0 in 69 minutes when Boyle ran on to Irvine’s defence-splitting pass and calmly slipped his finish past the advancing Siegrist.
With 15 minutes left, United were denied a stonewall penalty when linesman Frank Connor missed an astonishing handball by Hibs full-back Doig under pressure from Shankland.
But there was no way back for the toiling Taysiders who are now winless in seven games.