Hibs star wins unanimous praise as he's branded Easter Road game changer with ability to spark key factor
Hibs bounced back to winning ways in the Premiership with victory against St Mirren.
Michael Stewart says Hibs would have a greater consistency in their game if one star could maintain his place in the team.
After derby defeat to Hearts, head coach David Gray got the response he sought against St Mirren, in a 2-0 success. A stuffy first half played out but a first Hibs goal before the break from Owen Elding and Ante Suto’s effort in the second 45 secured three big points for the Easter Road side.
Sitting fifth, Falkirk a place below losing to Dundee United means Gray’s side have opened up a three point gap while they have crept two points behind Motherwell, albeit the Steelmen have a couple games in hand. Nicky Cadden was again an impressive performer and set up Suto’s winner, featuring 24 times across all competitions so far this season, but he has missed a selection of matches through injury.
Michael Stewart on Nicky Cadden at Hibs
Speaking on the left-wing-back on Sportsound during the course of Hibs’ win on Saturday, former Hearts and Hibs midfielder Stewart reckons consistency in performance would come in greater supply for Gray were the left-sided Cadden twin keep his spot in the XI. He said: “Good play from Nicky Cadden.
“Yes, you could say that defensively it was really quite poor, and they should be doing better. It was definitely a goal but Nicky Cadden, I don’t know how often you need to say it, and I will keep saying it. Conor McMenamin in the wide area that doesn’t really do enough, doesn’t defend the situation well enough.
“It’s not to say that a fit Nicky Cadden transforms Hibs’ season completely. There is no doubt that they definitely would have a far greater consistency if he had been consistently fit. He just changes the whole attack from Hibs and gives them such a potent threat, not just from open play, but from set-pieces with his delivery as well.”
David Gray on Hibs 2-0 St Mirren
Ex Rangers, St Mirren and Dundee striker Rory Loy was on coverage duties from Easter Road and said: “It looked as if it was Suto who had just come off the bench. He’s away celebrating but it’s really good from Nicky Cadden who has been excellent. Cuts inside and puts it across and somehow it ends up in the back of the net.”
Gray said of the Hibs win over St Mirren: “I thought we really deserved it today. I’m delighted for the players to bounce back after the real disappointment and the feeling that comes with that in midweek. You're looking for that reaction and you say it all the time, but I’m pleased for the players.
“The fact they were able to go and deliver that - that’s the biggest positive from Saturday. I thought we really deserved the win. It was great to get a clean sheet as well. We played some good stuff at times but I think there is still more to come from the group, which is another real positive moving forward.”