IT IS A REMARKABLE STATISTIC that for only the fourth time this season Hibs managed to score more than two goals in yesterday's 3-1 victory over Aberdeen. That fact gives some guidance as to the kind of season the Easter Road men have had, especially when one considers the last time the Hibees posted three at home was back in November, but nonetheless Bobby Williamson was not interested in looking back at the seasons stats yesterday, the Hibs boss being more interested in looking to the future.

That was something of a relief given the way in which any news emanating from Easter Road this week has had something of a negative hue to it, but Bobby was more interested in praising the contributions from his players - he said: "There's a lot of positives about this place - its not all negative. Unfortunately we've just been reading about negative stuff, but we've got a lot of talented youngsters at this club and we've proved that today but they've got a long way to go. We're pleased to get the result and pleased for the fans especially."

Indeed it was refreshing to hear the home support giving vocal backing to the Hibees throughout the game, and much of that was prompted by the exciting attacking football on display. For once Hibs managed to turn a number of their chances into goals against a disorganised Aberdeen defence, and Williamson was happy with the strikes - he said: "I'm pleased with the goals - the first was a bit of a scramble, it hit the crossbar and came back down. Matt Jack had the desire to get on the end of it and got his goal so we're pleased for Matt and the other two goals were good finishing from Riordan - a great ball in from young Brown, he was involved in the three of them."

"I'm pleased for the guys - they've had a tough time of it recently and came in for a lot of criticism recently but they're decent players and deserve their rewards."

After having to make enforced changes to the strike partnership of O'Connor and McManus early on, both Scotland U21 internationalists suffering from injury within the first half hour it remained to be seen just how the strike partnership of Scott Brown and Derek Riordan would respond. In actual fact Bobby would have struggled to ask more of the youngsters, Riordan grabbing a double and Brown unlucky not to open his account, with remarkably unselfish play from one of his age allowing his strike partner to grab his second.

While some might have been surprised by such a proximate relationship between two strikers who are so young Bobby revealed:" I've actually seen them playing for a year now. They work on it in training and that's what people don't see. It might surprise people just turning up to a game and seeing two guys coming in together for the first time but they've been playing reserve team football together for ages and youth football. Scott's old enough - it doesn't matter to me if their 16 or 46 if they can play football and have enthusiasm that'll do for me. People make a lot of age but I don't - if they're good enough they'll get the opportunity."

The substitution of McManus seemed quite bizarre, the youngster having made an excellent run down the wing before delivering a pinpoint cross just seconds before his replacement, but Williamson revealed he had struggled over the latter part of the week - stating: "Tam was struggling with his back - he had a fitness test this morning to see if he'd be ok but started the game and didn't feel comfortable with his injury so we replaced him. Garry O'Connor was feeling a knee injury and needed to be replaced also. I felt quite comfortable with the two boys we had on the bench. Nine times out of ten we have two strikers on the bench anyway and the two boys came on and played their part and I'm pleased for them."

Williamson's starting XI provoked some controversy before the game, especially with the inclusion of Nick Colgan and Grant Brebner, both of whom have had more than their fair share of column inches over the past few days regarding their future at Easter Road. When challenged on the issue Williamson said: The reason they were chosen was we got a result last week and I thought we'd stick with the same team - there's not a lot of times I've been able to do that this season. That'll always be the case - if guys come in and do well and take their chances nine out of ten times they'll get the opportunity the following week to start the game and that's what happened this week."

After O'Connor's substitution attention was drawn to an alleged incident near the dugout involving a Hibs fan, but Williamson revealed he hadn't seen the event, the Hibs boss being too busy watching the game. Williamson did offer the fan a chance to air his grievance however - stating: "I think Garry was disappointed that he had to come off with his knee injury and threw his tracksuit top in the dugout and a few expletives came out along with it. I don't know why the fan felt they were directed at him, but if he's prepared to come in and see me we'll get his side of it and take it further."

One player who looked like he will be in some pain this evening is Yannick Zambernardi. The Frenchman was carried off near the end of the game after receiving what looked to be an extremely painful groin strain. When questioned about the players condition Bobby stated: He certainly pulled something very high up!"

When jokingly questioned by hibs.net as to whether that would affect his ability to visit lap dancing bars Bobby quipped: "I wouldn't know about that - does he frequent bars?! I only work with them during the day - I'd love to be able to go out with them every night of the week as well but my wife keeps me in and maybe some of these guys should get married so they can stay in a bit more!"

"These guys are good professionals and they went out one night to bond the team as they've had a bit stick in recent weeks but unfortunately it didn't turn out too well and they've been chastised for that. The bonding session went well - but the criticism afterwards didn't go down too well and I don't think any of the players want to come up and speak to the Sunday papers."