Hibs ace Bowie strengthens Scotland World Cup case as Dundee well beaten at Easter Road - ratings and report

Kieron Bowie’s case for inclusion in the Scotland squad heading to the World Cup next summer runs deeper than one game against a side struggling at the wrong end of the Scottish Premiership. But we can call this a reminder, at least, of what he has to offer.

At the end of a seismic week for the national team, Bowie – dropped for the decisive double-header but part of Clarke’s select few as recently as October – bagged a goal and an assist as Hibs maintained their grip on third place with a comfortable win over Dundee at Easter Road. His first goal in 10 games and a Jamie McGrath finish were more than enough to put David Gray’s men in control of the contest.

On a day when Scotland hero Grant Hanley strolled through proceedings and international wannabe Josh Mulligan excelled against his old side, plenty in green-and-white stood. But none more than Bowie, who looked energised and effective from the off here.

Against a Dundee side who changed out their normal shape into a 4-5-1 formation designed to drag their hosts into a congested midfield slog, Hibs managed to get a few early touches in the opposition box inside a promising opening 10 minutes. But they were just a little shot shy when it mattered, with too many players looking to set up a team-mate rather than take on the responsibility of scoring themselves.

Bowie missed an absolute sitter with quarter of an hour gone, too, the wannabe Scotland striker somehow heading Josh Mulligan’s cross over from a position almost underneath the crossbar. But the big No. 9 more than made amends with a true quality finish to put Hibs ahead just before the half-hour mark.

His first touch, turn and low left-footed finish was the perfect way to cap a nice spell of sustained possession – and a sweeping move that saw Dan Barlaser switch play with a glorious cross-field pass to Nicky Cadden, whose cut-back gave Bowie the chance to show off his full range of skills.

Martin Boyle started – and very nearly finished – another end-to-end move as Hibs pushed for a second goal before half-time. McGrath also had the crossbar reverberating with a superb effort with 67 minutes on the clock.

Three minutes later, the Irishman was to double his team’s lead, stepping onto Bowie’s perfect lay-off and sending a controlled finish past the keeper. That was the end of the scoring and, although Rafa Sallinger did have to make a couple of fine point-blank saves to keep Dundee from mounting a comeback, the visitors never looked like a team capable of taking a point.