Dundee 1-2 Hibs: player ratings as David Gray's men overcome European heartbreak with professional display

Hibs overcame the disappointment of Thursday night’s heart-breaking Europa Conference League exit with a 2-1 win away to Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

It was an all-round impressive and professional performance across the park for David Gray’s side, who were well worth the three points after a hugely positive 90 minutes. They were also able to survive a late surge by the hosts which had looked unlikely for most of the second half.

There were three changes to the side that lost against Gent with Grant Hanley, Callum Wright and Jacob Devaney replacing Warren O’Hora, Migue Chaiwa and Adam Mayor in the starting 11. The Dens Park pitch was in immaculate condition and light showers throughout the morning and afternoon had left the surface greasy but not heavy, perfect conditions to zip the ball about the park.

That’s exactly what both sides set out to do in an evenly matched first half that was end-to-end for 45 minutes. The first real chance fell to Jason Kerr in the tenth minute as the defender got free at the back post but could only head Jordan Obita’s cross straight down the throat of Dundee keeper Owen Goodman.

Both teams were getting plenty of balls into the danger zones but the defences held firm with blocks and deflections preventing either keeper having to make a real save. Martin Boyle flashed a shot wide from 25 yards as Hibs searched for the opener.

There wasn’t long to wait for the goal though as the surface came into play when Grant Hanley’s through ball carried past the entre midfield and put Boyle through one-on-one with Goodman before he coolly slotted it past the home stopper. The goal survived a VAR check for offside with the skipper having timed his run perfectly.

Hibs carried the momentum of the goal through the rest of the half and Boyle was played in again, this time by Josh Mulligan, but this time he dragged his effort wide of the far post. There was a warning shot from the hosts to towards the end of the half as Bradley Fink curled an effort just wide of the far post.

Dundee came out swinging at the start of the second half and immediately started piling the pressure on the Hibs goal with former Hibee Drey Wright's cross by passing everyone on the goal line before Fink's shot was blocked and the danger cleared. The visitors responded by upping their own tempo to match the hosts as the game continued to be played end-to-end.

The second goal came on the hour mark as Felix Passlack's cross from the right finds Calum Wright making a late run into the box and he sent it into the bottom corner with a superb first time finish. That seemed to suck the life out of both the home support and players as Hibs were then able to control the tempo without much pressure.

The visitors went searching for a third and the ball was ping-ponging around the box before Jamie McGrath stung the palms of Goodman with a low drive. Passlack flashed a shot wide of goal moments later as they looked by far the more likely to get the next goal.

However, Dundee found a second wind and Raphael Sallinger called into action for his first real save of note to push a dipping shot by Ethan Hamilton wide. That warning was followed by a goal from the hosts as Hamilton rattled the cross bar with a thunderous free kick and Joe Westley was first to the rebound to force it home from close range.

The moment completely shifted the momentum and it was now on Hibs to stay resolute in defence and prevent Steven Pressley’s side from snatch a point that looked highly unlikely for a large spell of the game. They managed to do just that though and kept the hosts at bay for a deserved three points.

They’ll be back in action again on Thursday night and it’s a big one as Hearts make the short trip to Easter Road for the first Edinburgh Derby of the new season. David Gray’s side will be feeling confident going into that one after their performance in the City of Discovery.

Here is how we rated the Hibs players from the 2-1 win: