Hibeesmakealltheright noisestosilenceSaints
Hibernian manager Jack Ross praised his players for “ignoring the noise” around the St Mirren goalkeeper situation to run out emphatic winners in Paisley.
First-half goals from Kevin Nisbet and Joe Newell put the Easter Road side firmly in control and they made sure with a third from Martin Boyle just shy of the hour mark.
Saints had been forced to delve into the emergency loan market to bring in Hearts’ Bobby Zlamal on the morning of the game after all three of their goalkeepers had been ruled out due to coronavirus regulations.
Goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield was also named on the bench.
Ross had some sympathy for opposite number Jim Goodwin but credited his players for carrying out a professional job to extend their grasp on second place ahead of Celtic.
He said: “In our preparations we had tried to ignore the noise around the game but even on
Friday night I knew that there was potential for something to come around that would affect the game.
“But it was good that we prepared in that manner. I think we started the game well and it helps if you have that platform to build on to go on and win the game.
“I can’t say there wasn’t an impact on Jim’s preparations because I went through that a few weeks ago and it is a hindrance. But I don’t think it was a factor in our performance and the manner in which we won the game. I don’t think that played any part.
“Every time we win a game I am delighted for the players because I know what they give me every day.”
Zlamal’s last competitive match had also been on this ground, the Czech lining up in Hearts’ defeat back in March that effectively sealed their relegation to the Championship.
His clean sheet here lasted all of 14 minutes which is how long it took for Hibs to move in front. A well-worked passing move ended with Paul McGinn firing over a cross that bounced off Nisbet and rolled past Zlamal.
It got even better for the visitors just three minutes later. Boyle cut the ball back for Newell, who calmly swept a finish into the corner of the net to put the visitors two ahead. Saints could hardly get out of their own half but they were denied what looked a certain penalty when Ryan Porteous used his arm to deflect away a cross in the Hibs box. Referee Willie Collum, though, wasn’t convinced and waved play on.
Ofir Marciano was a virtual spectator for most of the game but earned his corn with two big saves late in the first half.
First, the Israeli did well to push away a fiercely-struck free-kick from Ilkay Durmus. And, after Saints had reworked the loose ball back into the box, Marciano did brilliantly to block Nathan Sheron’s effort from close range.
Hibs were back on the front foot early in the second half and Nisbet could have had a second only for Zlamal to throw up a glove to deny him.
Saints had thrown on Lee Erwin for a debut at half-time and the former Motherwell striker came close to a goal but couldn’t keep his half-volley under the bar.
Hibs, though, made sure of the win with a bizarre goal after 59 minutes. Zlamal flapped at Newell’s cross towards the back post and Boyle was able to help it over the line from close range.
The goalkeeper partially atoned with a smart stop to prevent Boyle adding another not long after as St Mirren wilted.