Craig double top is boost for boss
Under-fire Fenlon gets first win tonic
LIAM CRAIG should get a big bonus from Hibs boss Pat Fenlon.
The midfielder struck twice to give Hibs their first win of the season and remove a huge weight from the shoulders of his under-pressure manager.
Fenlon was given the dreaded vote of confidence by Easter Road chairman Rod Petrie during the week.
At half- time it looked like the curse of backing from the boardroom would strike again, with Hibs trailing a Kilmarnock side growing in confidence.
Defeat would have meant Hibs had failed to win one of their first four league matches for the first time in 11 years.
Instead, it is K ilmar nock who have to look back to 1995 to find a time when they haven’t recorded a victory at this stage.
Killie took the lead in spectacular style through Barry Nicholson and were worth the advantage.
The former Dunfermline and Aberdeen man watched the ball bounce once from a headed clearance and smacked it into the top corner from 30 yards,
It was a tremendous way to celebrate his 35th birthday and came on his home debut.
The Rugby Park side have a clutch of talented youngsters on their books but new boss Allan Johnston obviously felt they could do with the help of a seasoned pro. Nicholson certainly showed there’s plenty still left in the tank and goals like that a re guaranteed to get the fans on your side.
This season Killie are using a mix-and-match style of play.
Too often they were happy to fire it long and let the strikers give chase.
But their best work came when they reverted to the passing style so loved by former manager Kenny Shiels.
Nigerian playmaker Rabiu Ibrahim — a pint-sized bundle of tricks and flicks — was Killie’s main danger and could be a real Premiership star once he has a run of games under his belt.
Jackson Irvine, on loan from Celtic, looked impressive at the back for the home side.
Killie’s central defence, however, didn’t cover themselves in glory when Hibs levelled. Rowan Vine crossed from the right and Craig was given time to pick his spot with a header.
That crucial goal came just after the break and signalled the start of a Hibs revival.
The winner came shortly afterwards and was another disaster in the home defence.
Craig got between Darren Barr and keeper from a through ball and calmly stroked home.
These three points will certainly give Fenlon a bit of breathing space.
A vote of confidence doesn’t always mean bad news.