GARETH Evans' electrifying input to Hibernian's 3-2 victory over

Dundee United at Easter Road on Saturday has had a double effect on the

premier division.

It has initially earned the Edinburgh team two precious points that

keep them on the periphery of the championship scuffle, albeit they are

still 10 points off the lead.

Just as importantly, the little English striker's breathtaking late

intervention offers the men from the east end of town so much

encouragement for Wednesday's New Year derby at Tynecastle against the

leaders, Hearts.

Hibs had secured only three victories, against Airdrie, St Johnstone,

and Dunfermline, since winning the Skol Cup in October. On top of that

they are the unwilling holders of a horrific Tynecastle record.

On Saturday, with United two goals up and only 15 minutes remaining,

it appeared they had little chance of making the Ne'erday journey to the

west end with any confidence at all.

But just a few minutes later, thanks to two expertly taken Evans goals

and a neat close-in header from Keith Wright, the rescue of the season

was complete and United were stunned.

It was not difficult to feel sympathy for the Dundonians after some of

their early play brought memories of the Dodds-Sturrock-Bannon era

flooding back.

The tall, gangling Duncan Ferguson, just 20 on Friday, possesses all

the Dave Dodds ability in the air but, ominously for defenders around

the country, he has superb ground skills to match.

The revelation that Ferguson had been ill for several days before the

match, made his excellent performance nothing short of miraculous.

With Darren Jackson filling the darting Sturrock role and 21-year-old

Alec Cleland providing the quality crosses that once was Bannon's forte,

United were a delight to watch.

Mixu Paatelainen smacked in their first goal from a fierce Cleland

cross after 17 minutes, and both Ferguson and Jackson nearly added other

first-half goals.

When Maurice Malpas -- he and Dave Narey are the remaining components

of the United team of a decade ago -- stroked in the second after 74

minutes, it seemed that Hibs' recent gloom had deepened.

However, if the Edinburgh team's fluency of early season has deserted

them, their spirit remains almost intact, and United were left to

reflect on a frailty that allowed the season's most remarkable

turnaround.

McLean still has not constructed the secure back division that earned

two league cups and one championship in the early eighties. If he can do

that, the rest had better look out.