THREE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM MOLDE V HIBS

STRIKE DUO FIND IT TOUGH GOING

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Hibs fans would have been relishing the chance to see Flo Kamberi and Jamie Maclaren partnering each other in attack for the first time since the

5-5 draw with Rangers, but last season’s deadly duo found it tough going against a disciplined Molde backline. Maclaren had the best chance of the game, hitting the post with a header after Lewis Stevenson hooked the ball across goal, but Kamberi, pictured right, – who may not be fully over his knee injury – cut a frustrated figure as Ruben Gabrielsen and Veggard Forren mopped up the capital club’s attacks.

HAALAND MAKES DIFFERENCE FOR HOSTS

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The absence of Erling Braut Haaland from the first leg led to comments about Molde looking toothless up top, but the towering striker – linked with a move to Red Bull Salzburg – was restored to the starting line-up and made the difference for the Eliteserien outfit.

He bundled home the opener on 35 minutes, squared for Fredrik Aursnes to double

Molde’s advantage and added a third with time running out. Haaland only turned 18 last month but he has an old head on young shoulders and he made his presence felt for the 83 minutes he was on the park.

MCGINN-SIZED HOLE NEEDS FILLING

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No Dylan Mcgeouch, no John Mcginn and after half an hour of last night’s game, no Marvin Bartley either. The absence of the trio rendered the Hibs midfield anonymous at times at the Aker Stadion. Vykintas Slivka and Emerson Hyndman struggled to deal with their opponents and while Stevie Mallan, pictured left, started brightly he completely faded as the game wore on. Neil Lennon has already bolstered his options out wide with the captures of Thomas Agyepong and Daryl Horgan, but with two weeks left of the transfer window, his attention will surely turn to the middle of the park, where there is a John Mcginn-sized hole needing filled.