Hibs debrief: Does rare come-from-behind win suggest corner has been turned?

When Ross County took the lead against Hibs, the collective groan from supporters watching in living rooms of Leith and the surrounding streets could probably be heard in Dingwall.
Kevin Nisbet was back aomngst the goals for Hibs - his first since JanuaryKevin Nisbet was back aomngst the goals for Hibs - his first since January
Kevin Nisbet was back aomngst the goals for Hibs - his first since January

We’ve seen Hibs go behind in matches countless times this season and fail to respond adequately. In fact, Hibs’ insistence on seeking out the most difficult path when the easy route is right in front of them would be funny if it hadn’t happened so often, especially this season.

But the side showed remarkable resolve in tricky conditions, against stuffy opponents, at a venue where they hadn’t won since 2017, to dig out a win that takes them six points clear of Aberdeen in the race for third place.

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Caution must be urged: it wouldn’t be the first time this Hibs team has appeared to turn a corner before scuttling back around it at a rate of knots.

But this felt different. Pundits, former players, Jack Ross – everybody called this as the biggest game of the season for Hibs.

And for once, when it really mattered, they delivered.

Player of the match

Martin Boyle and Kevin Nisbet deserve plaudits for their work up front but Jackson Irvine was peerless in the midfield and played a big role in keeping the urgency going and the tempo high, which played a big part in Hibs’ win.

Defining moment

Ofir Marciano’s double-save from Keith Watson and Jordan White kept Hibs in front and it was then that it started to feel that Hibs might just hold on for the win.

Referee watch

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John Beaton harshly booked Alex Gogic with fewer than ten minutes on the clock and was criticied by Staggies boss John Hughes for the penalty award and his failure to later send off Boyle. He’ll have had quieter games…

In case you missed it…

The focus will have been on him ending his goal drought but Kevin Nisbet's winner takes him onto 14 for Hibs in all competitions. If he can go on another spree in front of goal in the last few games of 2020/21 he could hit 20 for the season, help Hibs secure third place and European football, and put himself firmly in contention for the Scotland squad. With that sort of incentive, he could be vital between now and May.

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