Newell feeling rejuvenated as Ross makes it simple for Hibs
TEN months after returning to Scottish football, the mute button has long been hit on any debate surrounding Jack Ross’ suitability to the Hibernian post.
After some minor tweaks and a few smart additions, his side are going places. However scuffed his reputation may have been after taking a wrong turn at Sunderland, it has long since regained its sheen.
There was a beguiling simplicity about the way his side picked St Mirren apart here.
No degree in advanced geometry was required to work out the game plan. A somewhat retro 4-4-2 compelled defenders to defend, full-backs to overlap, midfielders to hold the fort, wingers to offer support and strikers to pose a threat. With a Herculean work ethic a given, to a man, they carried out their instructions to the letter.
The Hibernian boss doesn’t have a footballing philosophy beyond utilising a system that best suits the talents at his disposal. Square pegs are placed in square holes. Everyone functions to their optimum level.
Joe Newell is the perfect case in point. Signed by Paul Heckingbottom from Rotherham at the start of last season, the Englishman discovered that players were compelled to fit into a pre-ordained system — a recipe for disaster if ever there was one.
Forced to play out of position on the wing, the 27-year-old stood little chance of doing himself justice.
The change of manager has brought about a welcome change of fortunes. With Alex Gogic again turning in a highly-effective display in front of the back four, Newell sparkled in Paisley.
A sumptuous finish from Martin Boyle’s cross after 17 minutes, his first in the league, was the least he deserved from a display which owed everything to the trust his manager has placed in him.
‘I don’t get many,’ Newell smiled. ‘The gaffer and the coaches have been on at me to try and improve. They’ve given lots of little tips. It’s all about me getting further forward and trying to get into the box more.
‘I think that was the first time I’d thought about it and got in there and managed to tuck one away.
‘I’m playing more central now, which I prefer. It’s more my natural position.
‘If you look at my performances when I played wide compared with centrally there’s a bit of a difference.’
Already the acquisitions of Gogic, Kevin Nisbet and Jamie Murphy look to be shrewd moves by Jack, with the ongoing faith shown in 19-year-old leftback Josh Doig completely justified.
Perhaps, though, it’s the tune he’s now getting out of Newell and Christian Doidge that’s his finest work.
Ross evidently saw something in the pair which his predecessor could not. He’s now nourished and developed it.
‘I wouldn’t say I was concerned when the manager changed,’ added Newell.
‘It will have happened to every player where a new manager comes in and doesn’t have a clue who you are.
‘He (Ross) came in and said that everyone had a clean slate. He started playing me and I’ve enjoyed working under him. It’s been good.’
Nisbet’s opener on 14 minutes owed everything to the freedom Stephen McGinn was afforded on the counter. Truthfully, the striker didn’t know an awful lot about the finish as the cross ricocheted off Conor McCarthy onto his leg but he wasn’t complaining.
The second, three minutes later, came from the same area, this time Boyle pulling the ball back for Newell to sweep home from just inside the box.
St Mirren were second best throughout but they had wretched luck here. Ryan Porteous clearly handled the ball while trying to clear his box — an incident that referee Willie Collum somehow missed.
The same, we must assume, applied when Boyle’s arm nudged Newell’s cross over the line before the hour mark.
Rangers visit Easter Road next Sunday yet to concede a goal in seven matches. Hibs will show them due respect but not, in Newell’s view, any fear. ‘Definitely,’ he said. ‘We’ve had a very good start and the way we are playing at the minute, there’s no reason for us to be afraid of anyone.’ ST MIRREN (4-4-2): Zlamal 5; Fraser 5, McCarthy 5, Foley 6, Tait 5; McGrath 5 (MacPherson 82), Erhahon 6, Sheron 5 (McAllister 59), Durmus 5 (Connolly 59); Obika 5 (Morias 87), Dennis 5 (Erwin 46). Subs not used: Langfield, Jamieson. Booked: McCarthy, Sheron. HIBERNIAN (4-4-2): Marciano 7; McGinn 7, Porteous 7, Hanlon 7, Doig 7; Boyle 7 (Shanley 87), Gogic 7, Newell 8 (Mallan 87), Murphy 7 (Wright 81); Doidge 7, Nisbet 7 (Gullan 77). Subs not used: Barnes, Gray, McGregor, Stevenson, Hallberg. Booked: Hanlon, Newell. Man of the match: Joe Newell. Referee: Willie Collum.