Star turns Hibs dominator after transfer agreement as he earns weighty Nectar Triantis prediction
The Manchester United loanee has impressed in his first outing for Hibs.
Scott Allan reckons Hibs answered a key question ahead of derby day with Hearts in victory over Dundee.
The former playmaker, who was impressed by debuting Manchester United loanee Jacob Devaney, analysed Sunday’s 2-1 Premiership success at Dens Park for Sportscene. Martin Boyle and Callum Wright goals sealed a big win for head coach David Gray that came only a couple of days removed from Conference League heartbreak against Gent. Hibs were leading the play-off tie for a place in the league phase 2-1 but a double sucker punch in the closing stages of the second half had them defeated 3-2.
Having already conceded a late goal against Malisheva during a shock away loss in Europe and towards the end of their opening day defeat to Motherwell, some questioned Hibs’ ability to get results over the line, and they crept in again when Joe Westley halved the deficit at Dens on 83 minutes. Composure was kept by Hibs though and their ex-star reckons it’s a positive sign prior to Hearts heading for Easter Road in the first Premiership derby of this season on Thursday.
Scott Allan on Edinburgh derby
Allan said: “Yeah, I always fancy Hibs at home. I think a big part of that game we haven't touched on yet is when Dundee did get the goal back, after the disappointment on Thursday night and how the game got thrown away from Hibs, they defended really well. They still looked in control, and that's just getting over that wee mental challenge, where the questions we're getting asked, Hibs can't see games out. They'll go into Thursday full of confidence. It was a really dominant display from Hibs.”
Devaney was making his debut after signing from Manchester United on loan earlier this month. He was a major reason why Hibs were able to control proceedings at Dundee according to Allan, who brought weighty praise, reckoning he can be a better ball-player in midfield for Gray than Dan Barlaser or Nectar Triantis were in recent seasons.
Allan added: “I thought he was the main reason behind how dominant Hibs were in this game. I think it was their best performance of the season for me and I think he was at the heart of everything. Really connected the game, looking to break the lines, play forward, always has a picture, but plays through the lines with real purpose.
How good can Jacob Devaney be for Hibs?
“It allows guys like Jamie McGrath, Josh Mulligan, Callum Wright at times to get on the front foot and go and create chances, so that was an area where they've had Triantis a few seasons ago, Barlaser last year, and they were looking to replace that and find someone.
“I think he could be the best out of the three I've just mentioned there. You can see him doing that side of the game, everything he'd done today for Hibs , whether it was simple, was done with real quality. He was the key in that position.”