TERRY Butcher was at least able to see for himself the extent of the rebuilding job that awaits him.

The Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager is expected to be confirmed tomorrow as the new man in charge at Hibernian and took his seat in the Main Stand for this match between his prospective employers and his current one, having initially indicated he would stay away.

He would have been shifting uneasily in his seat come the end as Hibs put in another feckless display. Their winless streak has now stretched to five matches, the last four of which they have lost without scoring a goal.

Hibs, with Jimmy Nicholl in a holding role as caretaker manager following Pat Fenlon's resignation, conceded twice in the first 20 minutes, looked vulnerable defensively whenever Inverness attacked, and created next to nothing in a positive sense.

It is difficult to recall visiting goalkeeper Dean Brill having anything meaningful to do throughout the 90 minutes, something that won't have escaped Butcher's attention.

This, then, was Caley Thistle's day, as they put on a show of strength that demonstrated that, even if their manager departs, they will not falter.

The win, combined with Aberdeen's surprise loss to Hearts, lifts the Highland outfit up to second in the SPFL Premiership table. With confidence coursing through the side, whoever ends up succeeding Butcher may feel they have won a watch, with a League Cup semi-final also on the horizon.

Word that Butcher had changed his mind and decided to come to the match after all had led to an impromptu game of 'where's Terry?' ahead of kick-off. It wasn't all that difficult a spot. The stand was still virtually empty when the 6ft 4ins Englishman strode up the stairs about 15 minutes before kick-off clad in a beige raincoat, with a tweed flat cap not offering much in the way of a disguise.

It must have been a strange experience for Butcher for whom pangs of pride at a purposeful Inverness display will have been diluted by a sense of despair at some of Hibs' defending and fairly toothless attacking.

He may have made a note - mental or otherwise - to try to add Graeme Shinnie to his Easter Road roster in the January window should his appointment be rubber-stamped as expected. The right-back put in a tremendous display and had a hand in both Inverness goals.

The first arrived after 14 minutes. Shinnie advanced from right-back into the Hibs penalty box where the backtracking James Collins shoved him to the turf. Nick Ross volunteered to take the penalty and would have been relieved to see his shot find the net after Ben Williams got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out.

That sparked a quick burst "Butcher, Butcher, What's the Score?" from the small pocket of away fans, now resigned to losing their manager. "Terry Butcher's Green and White Army," replied the Hibs fans, no doubt wishing the man they see as their new saviour was already in situ.

If Shinnie's role in the first goal had been impressive then his involvement in the second just three minutes later was even better.

The 22-year-old dexterously weaved his way through a number of half-hearted tackles before poking a pass through to Billy McKay.

For a second it looked as if Inverness were set to be awarded a second penalty as Ryan McGivern tried in vain to drag the striker to the ground, but McKay did well to stay on his feet and converted from the tightest of angles for his ninth goal of the season.

Hibs were lucky not to be further behind soon afterwards. Alan Maybury stretched to cut out Aaron Doran's cross and must have mightily relieved to see the ball bounce against the post and somehow stay out. Shinnie - yes, him again - then lashed a shot that curled just wide of the Hibs goal.

Little wonder the home players were booed off at the interval, and Butcher had plenty to contemplate as he drained his half-time cup of tea.

The second half was comparatively non-eventful, with Hibs' best chance an early Kevin Thomson free-kick from wide on the right that bounced narrowly over the bar.

Should Butcher's move go through, he will have a fortnight to work with his squad before they play again. He may be grateful for all the time he can get.