Three takeaways from Hibs' Scottish Cup win over Dundee United

Steven Whittaker and Christian Doidge contributed heavily to Hibs' win.

Deadly Doidge

Christian Doidge has now scored 14 goals for the season and 12 in his last 14 games. He is a striker who has a positive knack of delivering goals regardless of how he is playing. His latest contribution brought him his second hat-trick in the space of three months. All his goals against United came from close range but they were all expertly executed. With the likes of Martin Boyle and Joe Newell - who had a hat-trick of assists - providing the ammunition, there is every chance Doidge will become the first Hibs striker to break the 20-goal mark in the top flight since Leigh Griffiths in 2012/13.

Whittaker resurgence

Steven Whittaker has enjoyed something of a mini-renaissance over the course of the two games against Dundee United. Many supporters were suspecting that his time as a Hibs player was coming to an end after he didn't feature for four months, but he produced a good display in his first game back in the side at Tannadice a week past Sunday and then followed it up with another strong performance in the replay. The 35-year-old provided a good mix of commitment and composure at the base of Hibs' midfield and even carved himself out a couple of great first-half chances which should have brought him at least one goal. His efforts were clearly appreciated by the home support who gave him warm applause as he was subbed late on. There appears to be life in the old dog yet.

Cup path opening up

After overcoming the trickiest tie they could have landed against lower-league opponents in the shape of high-flying Dundee United, Hibs now have the most favourable fifth-round tie possible and a clear route into the quarter-final. Every other Premiership side left in the competition would have loved to be drawn against BSC Glasgow, the only non-league side in the last 16 of the tournament, but Hibs are the team who got the luck of the draw and now have a real chance of enjoying a proper cup run and ensuring their season retains some genuine purpose.