Lehmann leads from front

Warm-up games rarely provide hard evidence in determining the prospects of a club for the forthcoming season. Their nature dictates there is no realism, with the game’s rhythm punctured by countless substitutions and players lacking finesse.

This meeting at Bayview, billed as a testimonial for East Fife’s hardy defender, Richard Gibb, reverted to type with both sides using the occasion to promote recent acquisitions.

In acknowledging the superficial atmosphere, it was interesting to watch a vastly reconstructed Hibernian side play together for the first time.

Men who have served the Easter Road club over innumerable campaigns, such as John Hughes and Pat McGinlay, have departed to be traded in for, it appears, slicker, more adaptable models. It is too early to tell if surgery has been a success, but there are early indications the new mix can be potent.

Didier Agathe, the former Raith Rovers striker, was easily Hibs’ most vibrant performer, but John O’Neil, Ulrik Laursen, Hakim Sar and Gary Smith were also competent. Smith signed a three-month contract on Friday, but hopes he can secure a more permanent move.

The manager, Alex McLeish, expressed enthusiasm at his new signings’ efforts, clearly hoping first impressions last. "I'm not interested in results, it is only about getting fit for the new season," he stated. "We are happy with the work-out and it was good we saw the new signings. They all looked good."

Dirk Lehmann, always a charismatic forward, showed his hunger to improve on his first season in Scotland by scoring goals a player of his calibre should deem mandatory. After heading home Stuart Lovell’s cross in 30 minutes, Lehmann then pounced to rattle home a volley from 20 yards.

Hibs depart for their pre-season tour of Germany this week, where McLeish intends pursuing transfer targets. Securing a front player to replace top-scorer Kenny Miller is the immediate priority. McLeish said: "We clearly need a striker. We are very short in that department, with only Mixu Paatelainen, Dirk Lehmann and young Tam McManus.

"The search continues. There are a few names being bandied about, but we don’t want to say too much to the punters until we get something sorted out. We’ll look at things over the next week or two and will use the trip to Germany to look at strikers."

McLeish will also decide whether to offer Dutch defender Gus Uhlenbeek, the scorer of Hibs’ third just after half-time, a contract. However, French trialist goalkeeper Ronan Larrieu - a free from French second division side Valence - is unlikely to figure after playing poorly and gifting both of the Fifers’ goals.

He fumbled to allow home striker Paul Simpson a goal in 57 minutes and was again at fault as home substitute Steven Ferguson scored in the closing passage of play.

East Fife: Stewart, Munro, Gibb, McCloy, Sharp, Allison, Hunter, Logan, Simpson, Kerrigan, Gallacher. Subs: Moffat, McCulloch, Love, P McManus, Ferguson.

Hibernian: Larrieu, Uhlenbeek, Laursen, Jack, McIntosh, G Smith, Lovell, T McManus, Lehmann, O'Neil, Agathe. Subs: Westwater, Sar, Murray, T Smith, Paatelainen.

Referee: J Rowbotham.