Reaction to Hibs win over Falkirk as Gray reveals why Kieron Bowie's tap-in was more precious than wonder goal

Hibs boss David Gray has revealed that he was more pleased to see Kieron Bowie score a late tap-in than he was with the Scotland World Cup hopeful’s first-half wonder goal in today’s 3-0 thumping of Falkirk at Easter Road. And Gray says the sight of Bowie steaming into score from close range proves that hours of hard work on the training ground are paying off.

Martin Boyle opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Bowie sent a sumptuous left-footed curler arcing out of the reach of Scott Bain just before half-time. Falkirk rallied in the second half but Bowie’s third goal in four games, converting a low cross from substitute Josh Campbell, killed the contest stone dead.

Gray, who believes Bowie AND Man of the Match Josh Mulligan are continuing to give Scotland boss Steve Clarke reasons to consider them as options for next summer’s group games against Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, said: “I'm delighted with the second one because of where it was in. Scores from in the middle of the six yard box nearly, which is everything we're trying to work with Kieron to do, to make sure he keeps putting himself in there.

“He had a couple of opportunities in the first half where he didn't do it. He kept pulling out.

“And with Kieron there's still loads to come. We say that all the time. There's a lot of improvement still to come.

“But that really pleases us and pleases him that that's where he gets the rewards for going in the six yard box. So I'm delighted with the second one, even though his first one was a special finish.

“It's difficult because, as I said before, Kieran's not been an out-and-out No. 9 for large parts of his career. He's not played a lot of football.

“His play was off the right-hand side, cutting in, which is probably where you see the first goal he scores, when he cuts inside on his left foot and bends in the top corner. Rather than somoene like a Dwight Gayle who's always in between the posts when the ball goes wide.

"That's something that we're trying to add to his game all the time because that's where you're going to get your goals. I'm delighted to see the one he gets today because he did have a couple of opportunities to try and get in there in the first half. He opted to come out.

"That's just something you show in the videos, you show in the clips and try to educate him as much as you can, when he has to make the decisions at the time.”

World Cup ‘incentive’ for Scots

Asked if he thought Bowie would be going to the World Cup if he keeps up his current form, Gray said: "I think that's all you can do. Every young Scottish player, or any Scottish player at the minute, that will be trying to get on that plane.

“I'm sitting watching the draw myself and I'm one person that definitely won't be on the plane! But it was even exciting for myself.

“Having that as an incentive for a young player, or any Scottish player that's able to go, is a huge carrot for anyone. Kieron today, Josh Mulligan today, boys like that.

“They’ve had a little taste of it, but they've still got a long way to go. There's a lot of things that can happen in the season.

“The biggest thing is if they put in a level of performance, they've still got a week in and a week out consistently. That will give them the best possible chance.

“Steve Clarke has obviously demonstrated before that if you're playing well and you're good enough, you get the opportunity. That has to be the incentive for every player.

Mulligan absolutely dominated Falkirk, Gray saying: “I don't like singling people out. But I think, for what I asked the players to do at the start of the game, in the game plan, and trying to get on the front foot, I think Josh Mulligan certainly led by example on that front.

“I thought he was outstanding, actually, in the first half. His power, his intensity, his aggression with and without the ball. He gets an assist on his through ball to the penalty.

“It was a really good move. But just adding that to his game. He's always had that power. He's always had that intensity.

“But he's definitely playing at a very high level. I think if he did get man of the match today, he fully deserved it from me.

“I think when you talk about what you want the players to do and how you want to start the game, I thought the players were excellent first half. They deservedly went in in front.

“Second half credit to Falkirk, I thought they had a real go. And then we got the third goal at an important time.

"We've seen the game out quite comfortably after it went 3-0. But I think large periods in the first half, I was really impressed with the players.

"I can't be too disappointed, 3-0 at home against a team that's been going really well. Difficult fixture, a lot of pressure on the players. And I think they've answered that really well today."