Hibs goal hero Dickoh was equally pleased by clean sheet

FRANCIS DICKOH'S first goal for Hibs brought a huge smile to the face of the Ghanaian internationalist, his strike securing a stunning 3-0 win as the Easter Road outfit brought Rangers' 20-month unbeaten run at Ibrox to a shuddering end.

But today the big defender revealed it was the clean sheet which gave him greatest cause for celebration, admitting he'd happily have given up his goal for a shut-out.

As it was, the former Utrecht star was able to enjoy both - and a fair bit more to boot, the victory Colin Calderwood's first as Hibs boss, Rangers first defeat in Govan by a Scottish side since March 2009, and their biggest in a League match at home since Ivan Sproule hammered three past them five years ago.

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It was a result which left everyone stunned and one which Calderwood admitted he'd remember for many years to come as Hibs, having plumbed the depths in going down to Hearts three days earlier hit the heights.

Today Dickoh admitted even he was at a loss to explain the dramatic turnaround, saying: "I can't really give you an explanation, football works in mysterious ways. One week you are the hero, the next you are down. I think everyone expected us to do badly but we stuck in there, believed in ourselves and we had a game plan which we stuck to. It was a great team effort, everyone worked hard for each other.

"Looking back on the results we had had in our last few games, the win was a little bit unexpected but we knew what was needed in terms of commitment and application. We know we have quality in the team but that we need to bring it on 100 per cent.

"The last few weeks we've been at 90 per cent which is not enough to win SPL games but when you get 100 per cent we get the result."

The victory was also sweet for Dickoh as it was also his first in a green and white shirt, the Danish-born star having found himself dropped following Calderwood's first match in charge in which Hibs found themselves 4-0 down to fellow strugglers Aberdeen within the space of an hour at Pittodrie.

He said: "I thought I'd had a few good games in the beginning but then missed out against Kilmarnock, the first match after John Hughes left the club and one which we won.

"I got back in for the new gaffer's first match but it was probably the worst game I have had in a Hibs strip and it was fair enough to drop me. I was delighted to get another chance, these are the games I have come to Scotland to play in and I was happy with my performance."

Alongside Sol Bamba and with goalkeeper Mark Brown behind and utility man Ian Murray providing cover in front of the back four in a 4-1-4-1 formation, Dickoh and his team-mates blunted Rangers prolific strikeforce even if Dickoh admitted they enjoyed a little luck with hitman Valdas Trakys twice clearing David Weir headers off his own goal line.

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Dickoh said: "Broony had an absolutely stunning game while I think Valdas surprised a lot of people who haven't seen too much of him on the pitch and Ian brought good aggression in front of Sol and I.

"At the back we were told just to keep it simple, to be tough defenders, to be strong and to keep their strikers outside the penalty box.

"I thought we defended like lions, not just the back four but all of us. Yes, we had a bit of luck but when you are playing Rangers with their great history and home record you need a bit of luck.

"But I also felt we deserved the luck that came our way. There's been plenty of games recently where we have had no luck at all and, as I have said, football works in strange ways."

Despite having Trakys as their only fit forward, the Lithuaniam star starting his first match in a green and white shirt, Hibs stunned Rangers with a sixth-minute strike from Republic of Ireland midfielder Liam Miller before John Rankin hammered in a second, firing the ball into the top corner of the net with his right boot.

And as Hibs soaked up the pressure as their fans anxiously watched the clock tick down to the final whistle, Dickoh struck, taking a Bamba knock-down from Rankin's corner on his chest before volleying home.

He said: "I actually scored home and away against FC Twente as they won the championship in Holland last season, they were the biggest goals of my career up until Wednesday night.

"But this goal will always be memorable, no-one can take that away from me, scoring in a 3-0 win at Ibrox. However, keeping that clean sheet made me happier, it was important because we have been conceding too many silly goals this season. The bonus for any goalkeeper or defender is to have a zero in the goals against column at the end of any game."

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Now, though, Dickoh ranks tomorrow's clash with Motherwell at Easter Road potentially more difficult than Ibrox with Craig Brown's side sitting third in the SPL table following their 4-0 win over St Johnstone in midweek.

He said: "I think it will be more difficult because there was no pressure on us at Ibrox but now we are at home where we need to take three points. Motherwell are going well and scoring a lot of goals so it will be a tough one.

"However, we need to be solid again, have confidence in each other and show the same determination and attitude."

While he hopes his performance - and goal - will be brought to the attention of those who matter within Ghana's international set-up, Dickoh admitted he's put any thoughts of being called up to play for his country again to one side, at least for the moment.

He said: "There's a squad of 19 named to play Saudi Arabia next week but I am not in it. But I want to plant my feet here first, I need to settle in at Hibs before I can look at the bigger picture."