Jim Goodwin’s pre-match anger about having to play a game despite the fact he did not have a recognised first-choice goalkeeper had suggested this was a result that was inevitable.
The problem is that when Hibs are in this kind of form there is a feeling they would have left with the three points regardless of who was between the sticks.
There is a slickness about Jack Ross’ side and an enviable blend of creativity and solidity. Ross has invested wisely this summer with Jamie Murphy playing wide offering an added element to Hibs going forward, while Joe Newell, the best player on the park yesterday, looks an entirely different player to the one under Paul Heckingbottom. The industrious Alex Gogic works his socks off to protect the back line and Kevin Nisbet has brought goals. It was Nisbet who got the ball rolling.
There may have been sympathy for emergency loanee Bobby Zlamal, whose clearance was confirmed just three hours before kick-off, but there was also evidence that he has played very little football in that opening goal.
Having not put on his gloves since March, Zlamal looked rusty when he was left on his backside as Nisbet slotted the opener past him.
There was little he could have done about the second just three minutes later when Newell converted Martin Boyle’s cut-back. Hibs’ third is one he will not like to watch back.
It is to the credit of the Paisley side that they managed to steady the ship after such a demoralising start.
There was a strong appeal for a penalty after Ryan Porteous looked to have used two hands to beat away an effort, while Easter Road goalkeeper Ofir Marciano was twice called into action to force a fierce Ilkay Durmus free-kick away and staying alert to repel Nathan Sheron’s attempt from the rebound.
With little to lose, Goodwin put Lee Erwin on at the interval. The former Ross County player’s registration went through late on Thursday and he almost made his mark with an effort just seven minutes after his arrival that went just over the bar from the edge of the box. It was the last act of resistance, however.
Hibs shut down any hint of a comeback when a Newell corner – a decision which could well have gone the other way – left Zlamal furiously back-peddling as the ball arched towards his top right-hand corner. As it came off the underside of the bar, Boyle was quick to pounce and convert.
St Mirren are now without a win in their last three matches and, as it stands, will face Celtic on Wednesday night. There will be a further round of Covid tests at the club today, but the expectancy is that they will play Neil Lennon’s side midweek.
Hibs, by contrast, are flying high. The Easter Road side are just three points off league leaders Rangers and boast five wins from their opening seven league games, and a 100 per cent away record. It is quite a contrast to a year ago.
“The record since November has been brilliant and I love them as a group,” said Ross. “They are such a good group of players; the ones who are playing regularly and the ones who aren’t.
“I had a good feeling about today because of the way they have been training all week. They have been really good and I am just pleased for them. Every time we win a game I am delighted for them because I know what they give me every day.
“I know what they are capable of and they are a good side, they have shown that consistently now and it is a case of keeping on doing it.”
Ross sympathised with Goodwin in terms of the distractions around the game and said he had worked hard to keep the Hibs’ players focused.
“I can’t say there wasn’t an impact on Jim’s preparations because I went through that a few weeks ago and it is a hindrance,” he said. “But I don’t think it was a factor in our performance and the manner in which we won the game. I don’t think that played any part.
“We had tried to ignore the noise around the game but even on Friday night I knew that there was potential for something. But I hadn’t brought it up with the group and even pre-match when we knew that it was Zlamal that was in, we didn’t really speak about it.”
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