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.
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