Bouncing back, evergreen Stevenson, lucky McGinn - 3 talking points from Hibs 3-2 Hamilton

Patrick McPartlin looks at three talking points from Hibs’ 3-2 win over Hamilton

Paul Hanlon keeps a close eye on Andrew Winter

Bouncing back

Jack Ross would have been looking for a reaction after last weekend's loss to Celtic, and he certainly got one - for the first 60 minutes at least.

Kevin Nisbet, Martin Boyle, Jamie Murphy, and Joe Newell were all impressive in the first half as Hibs romped into a two-goal half-time lead that could have been even greater had efforts from Boyle and Paul Hanlon gone in.

When Hanlon netted a third after Marios Ogkmpoe saw his penalty saved by Ofir Marciano, the hosts looked home and hosed. Instead, Accies clawed their way back into it and will probably feel aggrieved at leaving with nothing to show for their efforts.

Ross will have been pleased with the intensity on show at times but would have preferred a far more comfortable evening.

Evergreen Stevenson

Lewis Stevenson was perhaps a surprise starter in place of Josh Doig, with the youngster handed a rest and a seat on the bench, but the veteran full-back left everything on the pitch and made a handful of crucial blocks.

With Hibs virtually camped in Accies' half at times, the long-serving defender was eager to get forward and support the attack, and was like a puppy off the leash.

Stevenson will eventually pass the left-back torch to Doig but on this showing, it won't be for a while just yet.

For Jack Ross, being able to slot the Fifer into his back four and get a solid performance will help him manage Doig, and his team, more easily.

Lucky McGinn?

Paul McGinn might have had his heart in his mouth when he fouled Marios Ogkmpoe and referee Bobby Madden pointed to the spot early in the second half.

While last-man fouls no longer result in a straight red card if judged to be a genuine attempt at playing the ball, the full-back looked to have been outside the box when the foul was committed and there may have been a debate over whether McGinn tried to play the ball or simply took the man out.

One of Hibs' strengths this season has been consistency of team selection, particuarly in defence so the biggest sigh of relief when Madden flashed yellow may well have been from Jack Ross.