St Mirren 2 - 3 Hibernian: Griffiths relishing visit of Celtic after double strike seals stirring win

Although he has quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite, the 21-year-old striker had not scored since arriving on loan from Wolves in the summer, but in the sixth minute he robbed Craig Samson, after the home goalkeeper had hesitated with the ball at his feet, to open the scoring and spark off a thrilling first half.

Two quick goals from Paul McGowan turned things around and put St Mirren ahead, but with the travelling support from Edinburgh likely fearing the worst Hibs refused to buckle and defender Sean O’Hanlon levelled with a header in the 37th minute before Griffiths slammed home an angled drive to put the visitors in charge again. That proved to be enough to seal three points ahead of the visit of Celtic in the Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

“Celtic are coming to Easter Road and they have had a couple of sticky results recently so we have to go into the game with confidence after this victory,” said Griffiths. “We know it’s going to be a hard game but we are at home, the crowd will be behind us and if we get an early goal who knows what will happen?”

After two consecutive SPL defeats, Hibs manager Colin Calderwood was glad to get back to winning ways and earns some breathing space at the end of what has been an underwhelming first year in charge. “It is a terrific help,” Calderwood said. “Now we have to transmit this type of performance to the home fans and get them to see the level of commitment.”

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon is hoping his side bounce back in their League Cup quarter-final tie against First Division Ayr United at home tomorrow night.

“We have an opportunity on Tuesday night to get to a major semi-final,” Lennon said. “But we are going to face a very good Ayr United side who have already taken the scalps of two SPL sides [Hearts and Inverness] and so we must make sure we are ready from the first minute to the last. But I still believe in the way we are playing. You are not going to tell me that this game was not entertaining, even on the end of a 3-2 defeat. We gave Hibs a hand but they held on and defended admirably.”

Samson certainly handed Griffiths the opening goal on a plate. There was no obvious danger when the goalkeeper took a Lee Mair pass-back to his feet. However, he hesitated in clearing the ball then tried to go past the Hibs striker who easily robbed him and knocked the ball into the empty net.

It took some time for St Mirren to recover but they eventually began to threaten and in the 25th minute midfielder Kenny McLean had a right-footed effort from 20 yards which was easily saved by Graham Stack.

It was still a surprise though when McGowan scored twice in two minutes to turn the game on its head. In the 32nd minute right-back David van Zanten’s cross was headed powerfully home by McGowan past Stack. Then, from Gary Teale’s looping free-kick to the back post, the ball broke to the edge of the box after Steven Thompson’s header was blocked and McGowan rifled it in low.

But in the 37th minute David Wotherspoon sent a long free-kick to the back post and O’Hanlon rose highest to head back across Samson and in. Four mintues later Garry O’Connor set up Griffiths who fired in an angled drive past Samson to reclaim the lead for the visitors.

Nigel Hasselbaink replaced midfielder Steven Thomson in the 52nd minute to partner Thompson in attack and in their desire to get back level the home side were taking chances at the back.

Hibs should have sealed the win in the 79th minute but substitute Akpo Sodje – who replaced a tiring Griffiths – somehow missed the target from under the bar when he was set up perfectly by fellow sub Lewis Stevenson.

The visitors soon found themselves under pressure again and after Hasselbaink cut the ball across the box, McLean had a shot blocked before Jim Goodwin came close seconds later with a drive. As the pressure intensified, Stack denied Thompson with a reflex save from point-blank range but the Easter Road side survived the corner and despite a couple more close calls they held on for a very welcome three points.