Strike force to be feared - with plenty of supply: Three Hibs observations after stunning win at Livingston

Hibs put Livingston to the sword emphatically.

A strike force to be feared

Kevin Nisbet and Christian Doidge started together in attack for the first time and the rewards came in spadeloads. Nisbet bagged himself a hat-trick and was a constant pest to Livingston with his movement, while Doidge provided the perfect foil, with cute flick-ons, nice link-up play and goal for himself. Both men commanded sizeable transfer fees by Hibs’ standards, but on this showing, they will be one of the most potent double-acts in the Premiership. With Martin Boyle chipping in and ammunition being supplied by Joe Newell, Scott Allan and Daryl Horgan, both strikers will be eyeing double-digit hauls this season.

Josh Doig yet again

This was always going to be a sterner test than last weekend, away from home against a Livingston team that excelled last season. However, Doig rose to the challenge and more. He dovetailed beautifully with Horgan down the left-hand side, constantly overloading Livingston’s right-back Nicky Devlin. Crucially, though, when called upon defensively, Doig delivered. His positioning was sound and as the hosts started to probe more frequently down his flank in the second period, he stood firm. Lewis Stevenson was expected to return to the starting XI for this match due to his experience, but Doig got the nod and – on this evidence – will be a hard man to displace now.

Dazzling Daryl

Handed a start due to Drey Wright’s injury, Daryl Horgan seized his opportunity. He was Hibs’ most productive player in the opening exchanges, constantly foraging down the left flank. His drilled cross for the first goal was inch-perfect and his second, a whipped effort from his weaker foot, found Nisbet expertly. Horgan has, by his own admission, struggled for consistency at Hibs, but his quality is evident. This will be a big campaign for the Irish international and he’s started it very well.