Michael Weir: Hibs have produced when it really matters

Saturday was the most significant day of the season for Hibs because our win and Morton's slip-up have given us a really commanding lead and eased the pressure at a vital stage in the title race.

James Keatings' shot flies in the net to win the game. Picture: Michael Gillen

There have been a few times this season where we’ve felt we’re nearly there and then gone on to suffer a setback, but I’m really confident now that we’ll get over the line. It’s not done yet but as long as we avoid defeat against Morton, I don’t think anyone will be strong enough to catch us.

Saturday’s results again showed the value of being out in front in the title race because if you’re leading the way, it allows you a margin for error that the chasing pack don’t really have.

Hibs have slipped up and got away with it in previous weeks, whereas Morton’s defeat at the weekend has left them with a mountain to climb. I would think they’ll have to win at Easter Road this week to have any chance of running us close now.

They will know Wednesday is their last throw of the dice so they will come and have a go. But instead of it being a must-win game for Hibs, Saturday’s results means we can now approach it knowing that we’ll be fine as long we don’t lose. That should give the players extra confidence to go out and play their game and try and put this race to bed once and for all.

If we win on Wednesday, it gives the players the chance to really enjoy the end to the season. They’ve still got the Scottish Cup to come so it would be nice to get the league all but tied up before the semi-final comes along. We’re in a very strong position.

Although it’s not been as straightforward as we might have hoped, I think over the course of the campaign we’ve just had a bit too much for the rest of the teams in the league. We’ve had some bad days, but when it’s really counted, the players have produced.

The fact James Keatings produced a moment of brilliance at the death highlighted why we’re in the position we’re in because no-one else in the league has enough depth to bring a goalscorer of his track record at this level off the bench. Our overall quality has shone through when it’s mattered.