Exclusive:How Hibs front three will be unleashed on SPFL and Euro defences - plan of attack revealed ahead of league KO
Gaffer addresses options as Jamie McGrath and Callum Wright fight for fitness
One new face, one returning veteran, one January signing who continues to draw rave reviews from coaches and scouts alike. If David Gray reserves the right to mix and match combinations at the top end of his Hibs team, there’s no denying that the trio currently occupying the starting spots are making themselves hard to shift.
With Martin Boyle scoring with a stunning solo effort, as well as playing a key role in goals for frontline partners Owen Elding and Nathan Lowe, the skipper deservedly walked off with Man of the Match honours from Thursday night’s 4-1 UEFA Conference League win over FC Malisheva. Former Sligo Rovers sensation Elding arguably should have ended the night with a hat-trick, while Stoke City loanee Lowe was just thrilled to make amends for a couple of missed chances in the first leg in Kosovo.
Elding opened scoring in UEFA Conference League comeback win
All three have reasons to feel good about themselves heading into this afternoon’s Scottish Premiership opener at home to Motherwell. They’ve certainly got the confidence of their gaffer, who shared some insight on how he sees this triple threat – backed by a few others contenders for starting spots – shaping up in the season head.
Gray told The Evening News: “I know the front three will get the headlines because they were really exciting in the European game. They were really inventive as well, and I thought they were electric at times. Created numerous chances, all scored a goal which will do their confidence the world of good as well.
“And it gives us different ways of playing. I think Nathan coming in gives you that sort of focal point.
“Martin with his all-round performance, his energy, appetite, he hit the bar. He certainly doesn't look another year older, that's what you would say.
“He's come back in incredible shape after the disappointment of the World Cup. So on a personal note for him, he was fantastic against Malisheva, really led by example and drove the team forward and deserved his Man of the Match award I think.
“So the front three as you say were really good, and I think we've got additions to add back to that as well when you think of Jamie McGrath, Callum Wright … Rudi Molotnikov was very close to coming on. It wasn't until their goal was in and you think: ‘I might have to hold off here because of the potential of what might happen.’
“It’s starting to take shape. Nathan's only been in the building two weeks so trying to get the message across to him, that we play a little bit differently, takes a bit of time. But we’ve seen a vast improvement from one week to the next – and it’s something to build on.”
On-loan Stoke City striker Lowe leading line for Hibs
Hibs have shifted to a 3-4-2-1 in the early days of the new campaign, with the absence of Jamie McGrath and Callum Wright leaving Gray without a natural No. 10 capable of playing in behind a front two. Boyle and Elding have slotted into supporting roles, with ready-made No. 9 Lowe leading the line.
As for whether this will become the go-to formation, at least at the top end of the team, Gray insists: “It really depends who we're playing against. It depends on what we feel gives us the best opportunity to win.
“It might be at times that you go with more of a 10 and two nines. I think that's the benefit of having that flexibility.
“Boyle can go right through the middle. Lowe can go through the middle. Nathan probably gives you a little bit more of that focal point and allows you to play different ways.
“And you've still got Thibault Klidje as well, who plays that number nine role very different to Nathan. So he's always looking to be on the shoulder, always looking to run in behind.
“So I think when you look at the actual balance we've got within there, I think they all kind of complement each other well.
“Before we signed Nathan, I said we were looking for that physical focal point that we've probably not had since Kieron Bowie left. When you think back to season one, you had Myko (Kukharevych) and Kieron, plus Dwight Gayle could also play that single nine.
“We never really had that after Kieron left, so it was more two up rather than the one and the two off them. But it'll vary depending on how we see our best chance to win a game of football.
“With Nathan, you forget he's only 20, so when you look at the size of him. He is aggressive, but not in a way where he's just thumping people about. He moves really well, he looks to run him behind, he will link play as well.
“The biggest and most pleasing thing that I've seen is he's had chances in every game. So even a couple against Malisheva at home, he maybe felt he should have done better with a couple. But he gets on the score sheet.
“There were a couple over there where he's getting the chances. And I think that's the most important thing.
“It’s something we’ve spoken about with him. We believe that if he stays fit, if he keeps progressing and the improvement that we think we can get from him, he'll really add something to that front line.”
Asked what he thought as he was watching Boyle waltz past defender after defender before scoring to make it 4-0 on the night, providing the cushion needed to progress despite Malisheva scoring late, Gray admitted: “At one point, I’m thinking: ‘Just shoot!’ I think it's not until you watch it back that you realise how many he went past.
“I just thought he looked really lively all night. When he's at that sort of level and he plays that way, and he really commits people, he’s hard to stop. I think he had moments in the first half as well; all three did.
“I thought Owen was really bright, picked up some really good positions, which is what we asked him to do. We wanted him a lot closer to the goal and a wee bit more selfish in his play.
“We've tried to encourage that in him because he has been really unselfish in trying to, maybe making the pass rather than taking shots on. But he got a few off which was good.
“I probably expected him to score more, to be honest, with what I've seen and the quality he has got. But he can be pleased with his performance as well and, to a man I thought we were much more like ourselves in terms of that intent.”