THERE’S 2 SIDES TO YOU
Elie frustrates and delights Lee
Lee Johnson has backed Elie Youan to steer Hibs into Europe instead of driving his manager up the wall.
The French striker netted his seventh goal of the season with the opener in yesterday’s 2-1 win over St Mirren.
Youan’s attacking attributes have never been in doubt but the frontman has infuriated his gaffer in the past when it comes to carrying out the dirty side of the game.
Hibs are hoping to convert the 24-year- old’s loan from St Gallen into a permanent deal and the Hibs boss insists Youan has bags of potential
Johnson, whose team are now three points clear of the sixth-placed Buddies with four games left, said: “Elie showed both sides of his game today and we expect that from our wingers. You’ve got to work hard. I’m pretty critical when they don’t, so when they do it’s fantastic.
“We call it a ball thief when they nick it on the way back in.
“Elie’s earned his rest over the weekend because of the physical effort he has put in – and that’s what Elie has got to do.
“He can frustrate the life out of us at times. He drives you up the wall but he’s also got that real threat about him and can peg a team back and he can run all day.
“He’s got quite unique attributes so we just need to keep developing him. He’s still young. If he puts it all together we wouldn’t have him. That’s what we’ve got to try and do before we sell him.”
Hibs were up and running after only four minutes thanks to some poor defending from Marcus Fraser.
The Saints centre-back was caught on the ball by Youan just inside his own half from a Charles Dunne throw and the Frenchman raced clear before sweeping the ball past Trevor Carson. That set the tone for what was a dominant first-half display by the home side.
After Kevin Nisbet had a free- kick saved, Wil l Fish netted a second ini the 23rd minute. Joe Newell’s corner was intended for Paul Hanlon but it bounced through to the defender and he nodded in at the back post.
Hibs playmaker Jake DoyleHayes was forced off with a head knock on the half hour but the home side kept pressing and they should have had the game sewn up by the break.
Chris Cadden missed a great chance to add a third after being teed by Nisbet six yards out when he fluffed his shot. The ball came to Youan at the back post but his effort was saved by Carson.
Sub Josh Campbel l then wasted another gilt- edged opportunity. Cadden’s cross was spilled by Carson and the midfielder fired a first-time shot well over from six yards.
It was the same story after the break after another flowing move that Nisbet started saw the Scotland forward blast over from a Cadden cutback.
Saints were better after the interval but spurned a great chance themselves.
Ryan Strain’s def lected cross fell to Curtis Main right in front of goal but the striker could only scoop the ball into David Marshall’s arms.
But Hibs failed to heed that warning and the Buddies reduced the arrears in the 65th minute. Main flicked on a Carson kick out and Alex Greive forced a shot past Marshall after having a free run at the Hibs keeper.
Saints piled on the pressure but struggled to create any meaningful openings.
Sub Lewis Jamieson fired wide from a loose ball as Hibs held on to claim the points.