Mallan the main man as Hibees humble woeful Hamilton
hibs 6 Boyle (25), Mallan (34, 71), Hyndman (39), Kamberi (90 +1), Kilgallon (90 + 2) hAmiltoN ACCies 0
Hibs boss Neil Lennon watched Stevie Mallan take his goals tally to nine in the mauling of Hamilton then claimed that the midfielder is just as lethal as former Celtic idol Lubo Moravcik. Incredibly, all of Scotland Under-21 internationalist Mallan’s strikes have come from outside the box, including two either side of the break against Accies as the hosts racked up their biggest top-flight victory since thrashing Livingston 7-0 in 2006. As good as the Leith side were, Hamilton were woeful and put up no fight in conceding efforts to Mallan, Marin Boyle, Emerson Hyndman and Flo Kamberi. The unfortunate Matthew Kilgallon also netted an own-goal in injury time. Hibs moved to within two points of leaders and city rivals Hearts, who face Rangers today, and Lennon was thrilled with the winning margin. He said: “A result like that has been coming. We’ve been dominating games and creating lots of chances. “It’s very pleasing that the players have been rewarded for a really good run of form. “They were all at it today. That’s nine goals Mallan’s got from midfield already – exceptional going at this stage of the season. “Mallan is an enigma really. I’ve never seen anyone hit a ball as consistently as that since the Moravcik days, he puts dip or bend on it 20-25 yards out. “You’re disappointed if he doesn’t work the goalkeeper, actually.” Lennon, whose side travel to Celtic and Hearts after the international break, added: “Hearts have had a brilliant start but I’ve not looked at them. “There’s been a lot of talk about them and this, that, and the other. “We had a job to do here – concentrated on building a team and slowly but surely it’s beginning to take effect.” Hibs had this game wrapped up by half-time with three clinical goals within a 14-minute blitz but it could have been different if Accies striker Rakish Bingham had taken a glaring chance. Efe Ambrose and Ryan Porteous were guilty of a mix up as they let the ball drop behind them. Bingham was left with only Adam Bogdan to beat but the Hibs keeper made the block. Hibs then seized control in the 25th minute as Boyle, days after being called up by Australia for the first time, hit a shot into the roof of the net after Vykintas Slivka’s effort was blocked. Mallan notched his eighth of the campaign with a deflected shot from 20 yards that Hamilton keeper Gary Woods got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. The third arrived six minutes before the break. Boyle pulled a pass back for Hyndman and the on loan Bournemouth player opened his account with a firsttime shot that found the corner. The only question in the second half was how many Hibs would score. Mallan grabbed his second in the 71st minute with a drive from 25-yards that skidded past Woods. Hibs continued to torment their visitors and Hibs added two more in injury time. Kamberi struck a forceful shot past Woods after being set up by Daryl Horgan and his square pass in the box was diverted into his own net by Hamilton defender Kilgallon. Dejected Hamilton boss Martin Canning said: “It was sore and in terms of performances that was up there with the worst. “It was unacceptable in terms of the level of fight and commitment. “First and foremost you give me everything you’ve got and that didn’t happen. “You’re looking for some leadership, guys to step up, but it didn’t happen.”