Hibee history: Riordan and Tam deliver a surprise

A SUMMER of turmoil at Easter Road had taken its toll on Hibs fans, football taking a back seat as the spotlight was brought to bear on the club's financial problems although even they were overshadowed by talk of moving in with arch-rivals, Hearts.

Against such a background of negativity it was perhaps not surprising that even Hibs supporters' expectations of the new season weren't so great, the fans having watched boss Bobby Williamson struggle to revamp his squad while shackled by a lack of money.

In contrast, Dundee United manager Ian McCall tackled the job of breathing new life into a club which finished last season in second bottom, raiding the transfer market to the extent that seven of his players who took to the field for that opening day of the season weren't on show last time Hibs visited Tannadice. And a glance at the team-sheet showed just how thin Williamson's squad was, with the absence of Garry O'Connor and Colin Murdock forcing the Hibs boss to seat two teenagers on the bench in Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson.

Such a scenario, naturally, made United hot favourites to kick off the season with a victory and for the opening hour or so it looked as if they were assured of the points.

While goalscoring opportunities for both sides were at a premium it was United who made most of the running, the only disappointment for the home side being that they headed up the tunnel at half-time still on level terms.

As McCall admitted, his side should have been ahead at that point, Collin Samuel shrugging off the attentions of the ineffectual Alen Orman only to see the legs of Hibs goalkeeper Daniel Andersson block his shot.

And there was a real let-off for Hibs when Charlie Miller stole in on the blind side to reach Mark Kerr's clever cross only to totally miss his kick with the goal gaping. United made amends only 60 seconds after the break, Mathias Doumbe spoiling a good afternoon's work as he took a fresh air shot at a clearance, allowing Billy Dodds to fire a low cross into the centre where Samuel turned the ball home with ease.

Hibs were on the edge, Gary Smith bringing off a superb last-ditch clearance to deny Dodds before Andersson threw himself full-length to push Danny Griffin's free-kick round his left-hand post.

The season before, falling behind inevitably signalled defeat for Hibs, the Leith club only twice managing to win from that position in that entire campaign - but not this time.

The introduction of Tam McManus for Stephen Glass, who had suffered a nasty cut to the head, proved to be the catalyst for a stunning comeback, his deflected cross falling nicely for Derek Riordan to stab home from a tight angle.And McManus was the provider - and finisher - as Hibs grabbed a late goal via the penalty spot, Barry Robson's tug at Ian Murray as he prepared to meet another cross from his team-mate earning him a red card.

As referee Kenny Clark dealt with that matter, McManus was off in hot pursuit of the ball, determined to take the penalty himself which he did, sending United goalkeeper Paul Gallacher the wrong way much to the delight of the travelling fans as Hibs held on to steal all three points.