Hibs captain's armband sits well on Murray

So says former Easter Road midfielder Paul Kane, who was delighted to see Riordan bounce back from his derby dismissal by starring against Motherwell last weekend but believes Ian Murray's contribution was every bit as significant in that 2-1 win.

Murray, who was handed the captaincy against Rangers at Ibrox as Riordan sat that one out due to suspension following his dismissal against Hearts, retained the role for the visit of Craig Brown's side.

And, after watching the 29-year-old lead by example in everything he did during that game, Kane believes Murray is cut out to be Hibs' captain for the remainder of the season and beyond.

"There haven't been too many genuine leaders on the park in Scottish football over the years," said Kane. "John Hughes was one during his playing days at Hibs, while the likes of Richard Gough, Willie Miller and Roy Aitken certainly filled that role at their respective clubs.

"For me, Ian Murray could be the same sort of leader for Hibs at the moment - and I think that was typified during the Motherwell game last Saturday when he went in for a challenge on the keeper late on.

"The ball was there to be won and big Ian showed a real desire to try and win it by making the tackle.

"For me, Ian has all the leadership qualities Hibs are looking for at the moment. He's an experienced player now and knows how to handle the difficult situations.

"He knows what is expected of a captain and, what's more, he has also added something to the team in the last two games that was perhaps missing.

"He's been the player in the middle of the park who has broken play up and allowed the more creative players in the side to do their stuff.

"Unfortunately for Ian, he's been hampered by injuries and I am sure he must have felt frustrated at times when he wasn't getting a game.

"However, there's no doubting the fact he's an excellent player and he's shown in the last two games he can be a good captain, too."

While Kane says Hibs fans are still hurting from the 2-0 home defeat by Hearts, the back-to-back wins against Rangers and Motherwell have certainly helped lift spirits among the Easter Road faithful.

Now they will be hoping Calderwood's side can stretch their winning run by recording a first-ever victory at the Caledonian Stadium in Inverness this weekend.

"I don't think it would be right to say the last two results have made up for the derby defeat - but it's certainly been great to see the boys bounce back from that by beating Rangers and Motherwell," added Kane.

"The unexpected result, of course, was the one at Ibrox and the great thing about getting a result like that is that it gives everyone a masive lift in confidence.

"On top of that, I also think it's a case of Colin Calderwood getting to know his players and the players getting to know him.

"I think it was a surprise to everyone that he played with only one man (Riordan) up front for his first home game (against Hearts).

"But, first and foremost I suppose, his aim will have been to make the team difficult to beat - and the work he's putting in with the players on the training ground has certainly paid off in the last two matches.

"I thought we played very well in the first-half against Motherwell, a team who've been going well this season, as reflected by the fact they're in the top half of the table.

"Now the fans will be hoping Hibs can go up to Inverness on Satutrday and bury their hoodoo there.

"I honestly don't know why they've struggled at the Caledonian Stadium in the past, but it certainly won't be any easier to win this time as Terry Butcher and Maurice Malpas have Inverness flying at the moment.

"Having said that, they have saved their best form so far this season for away games and Hibs will be hoping the tables are turned on this occasion.

"In the past we've gone up there on the back of a bit of form only to suffer disappointment - but hopefully not on this occasion."

As Calderwood and his new No.2, Derek Adams, mould their partnership, the duo in the opposite dugout on Saturday know each other inside out.

"Terry and Maurice are a pair of wily foxes, having both played at a very high level," said Kane of the Inverness manager and his assistant.

"I think they play on the country yokel thing a bit up at Inverness. I think they use the fact they are a bit remote up there to fire up their players and tell them, ‘let's show the SPL what we can do'."

"He knows what is expected of a captain and he has also added something to the team" PAUL KANE