Hibs verdict: Transfer targets remain of great value as Jack Ross' men leapfrog Aberdeen

Those who expected Ryan Porteous and Kevin Nisbet to huff over their thwarted big-money moves will have been disappointed as they both came off the bench to make useful contributions as Hibs defeated St Mirren and climbed into third place.

Martin Boyle (centre) celebrates with team-mate Kevin Nisbet afetr scoring from the penalty spot to give Hibs victory over St Mirren. Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group

The Easter Road youngsters had been the subject of bids from Millwall and Birmingham City in the final days of the transfer window, but despite the closing bids being worth a collective total of almost £4million, the Edinburgh club made it clear that they valued them higher.

They were certainly worth something in Paisley, where 21-year-old Porteous headed home the opening goal just ten minutes after he joined the fray as a half-time substitute.

Providing the low cross that led to that corner, Nisbet’s impact was even more immediate, given he had only been sent on in the 54th minute.

The goal was a welcome shot in the arm for Jack Ross’ men, who had been out-played by their hosts in the opening spell of the game. St Mirren, who came into the game on the back of a win over Celtic, pressed Hibs and their energy and passing were a problem for the away side. But, both teams lacked the killer final ball.

Ross had decided to stick with a winning formula and started the match with the same team that had delivered for him at Tannadice. But it wasn’t until St Mirren shot themselves in the foot, in the 36th minute, that Hibs began to gain the upper hand.

A short back pass from Jake Doyle-Hayes, gave Martin Boyle something to chase down. Sensing the dangers and trying to salvage the situation, Jak Alnwick rushed out his area in an attempt to clear but in a race, there was only going to be one winner and, coming in second, the Saints keeper clattered the Australian international. Referee Alan Muir’s reaction was instantaneous, flashing a red card. Sub keeper Dean Lyness joined the action for his first league appearance since May 2019 but Hibs enjoyed an extra-man advantage for the remainder of the contest.

It gave Hibs a bit more freedom and, having switched to a 4-4-2 when Nisbet replaced Chris Cadden, the opening goal added to that greater sense of ease in the ranks.

Christian Doidge came close with a header that had to be tipped over the bar by Lyness, but the second and decisive goal came soon after.

It was Jamie Murphy’s direct and committed run into the box that threatened Saints and Marcus Fraser reacted by tugging him back. The infringement was spotted by the ref and, from the spot, Boyle netted his seventh goal of the season and his second in two games.

A team high on confidence and in good form, St Mirren were never going to lie down and accept defeat meekly and they kept challenging the Hibs rearguard and they finally found a way past. It was Dylan Connolly who charged down the left, leaving Paul McGinn desperately trying to keep up, and when he got into the area, he squared for the in-rushing Obika to slam home at the back post.

But Hibs saw the game out to earn the three points and leapfrog Aberdeen, who travel to Leith on Saturday.

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