This is how it feels (Dundee 15112020)
A much changed Hibs side had to work hard to win this tie and in fairness to Dundee I don’t think they deserved to lose 4-1. The visitors will get an early chance for revenge after they were paired with Hibs again for the quarter final at the same venue.
The unavailability of players due to absence for international duty, injury and suspension had Hibs starting with Barnes in goal; McGregor in central defence and both Wright and Mallan in midfield. This was an opportunity for some to impress the manager and it’s debateable how many might have succeeded.
In a bright start to the game it became obvious that Dundee were prepared to have a go rather than pack their defence and hope for telling counter attacks. Charlie Adam looked in the mood and offered up a couple of excellent passes but his team mates were unable to take advantage. For their part, Hibs were stringing together a number of quick passes as the Dundee defenders were left chasing shadows and it was no surprise when the hosts took the lead in the tenth minute. Joe Newell rolled the ball to Stevie Mallan who took a touch, steadied himself and crashed a glorious drive past Hamilton from all of thirty yards. It’s possible the keeper might have done better but in truth the ball looked like it was past him before he dived.
Dundee were trying to get back into it and McGowan could have done better than blasting the ball high over the bar from twenty yards. Boyle then had a shot charged down whilst McDaid suffered the same fate at the other end.
The strong opening period from Hibs began to slip away as Dundee came more into the game but the visitors had a real let off when Nisbet brilliantly cushioned the ball into the path of Newell whose shot went under the diving Hamilton but came back off the far post. Moments later, a cross by Wright saw Nisbet’s headed attempt fly wide of the keeper’s left hand post. A long range effort by McDaid showed that Dundee were still in the hunt, but Kevin Nisbet should have finished them off when he dived full length in front of goal but headed the effort wide.
During the interval I hoped that Jack Ross would get Hibs out, firing on all cylinders but in the first piece of action, Boyle was booked for arriving late in a challenge. For me there was no malice and indeed Boyle actually tried to pull out from blocking the ball, but referee John Beaton thought otherwise. As it turned out, that was the only card shown in the game and only Beaton can explain why Jordan McGhee was allowed to foul anybody and everybody and get away with it.
The visitors were enjoying more possession but doing little with it whilst at the other end, Nisbet smashed an effort high and wide. It was an odd choice to make in terms of taking on the shot and I wondered whether he’s a bit concerned at his current run without goals. To their credit, Dundee kept plugging away and got their rewards around twenty minutes from the end. A delicate but beautifully flighted cross from McGowan witnessed Josh Doig getting under the ball which allowed Elliot to take a touch before hitting the ball under the advancing Barnes and into the net. Chris Sutton criticised Doig whereas I felt Josh had rightly tucked in and Murphy failed to track back allowing Christie to ghost in.
Whether the loss of the goal was instrumental in his decision or not I don’t know but Jack Ross immediately replaced Doig with Mackie and at the same time replaced the ineffective Wright with Jamie Gullan. Minutes later, Murphy twisted and turned his way into the box and delivered a low cross to the front post. Nisbet was there and at first, I thought the goal was his but having watched it again it has to go down as an own goal by McGhee. That move settled Hibs down and four minutes later, Nisbet fed Boyle who fired a low ball into the six yard box where Gullan had lost his marker allowing him to squeeze the ball home at the near post. Next up, Hallberg, who had replaced Murphy, was on hand to turn home another low cross from Boyle. Thankfully, the job was now done as Hibs coasted to the final whistle.
The players
Barnes – Dillon had little to do and had no chance at their goal. I recall only one other save at the feet of McGowan. His distribution was decent, and he seemed in tune with his back four.
McGinn (P) – Not one of Paul’s better games although I don’t recall any serious errors. I just felt his use of the ball was below par on the day.
McGregor – A cracking performance from a player who hasn’t seen much action recently. He looked as solid as ever and had me gasping at one point when he dropped his shoulder and slid past the challenge of Byrne – not something you see every day!
Hanlon - As dependable as ever and he must surely have enjoyed his reunion with big Daz!
Doig – You have to accept that Josh is still learning his trade and so will make the occasional error. I said earlier I don’t blame him for their goal but there were a couple of occasions when he was caught ball watching.
Wright – Other than a couple of very good crosses I struggle to remember anything that can be counted as effective. I know the lad is coming back from injury and so I’m sure he’ll offer more in the games to come.
Mallan – A wonder goal from Stevie, something we all know he is capable of. I confess that the absence of Gogic as the ‘destroyer’ did concern me and whilst Mallan didn’t get as involved in the physical stuff I felt he had a good game overall.
Newell – Joe performed to the description given to him by many on the message boards. Looked the business when we were bossing it but tended to disappear when Dundee were having their better spells. I know that sounds critical, especially when I’d always have him in the team, but it reflects my thoughts on him today.
Murphy – I think and hope we are still to see the best of Murphy. I thought he flitted in and out of things, but I must give credit for that mazy little run that secured our second goal.
Boyle – I’m sure I’ve said this about him before – he is anonymous for long spells and then rubs my doubting nose in it by providing two assists. If he does that in every game, I’ll be a happy man.
Nisbet – Kev missed a couple of opportunities today but though he didn’t score he was instrumental in creating openings for our third and fourth goals. You might even stretch that to the second goal too, as his presence forced McGhee to put through his own goal. It was a close thing today but I’m giving Nisbet my man of the match award.
Mackie – Sean replaced Josh Doig and slotted in well at left back. A strong laddie and willing runner he helped stifle any moves down our left hand side.
Gullan – I like Jamie and am convinced he has a real future at ER. His movement for his goal was clever and the finish from his ‘weaker’ foot was top notch as there wasn’t much of the goal to aim at.
Hallberg – Melker replaced a tiring Jamie Murphy and though I felt he’d been brought on to help stiffen our midfield I was delighted when he popped up in nosebleed country to fire home the fourth goal.
McGinn (S) – Only got the last few minutes.
Elder – Got even less time than McGinn (S).
Jack Ross – Obviously pleased with the outcome and now turning his full attention to next week’s visit of Celtic. One thing I would say is that Jack sometimes gets criticism for his use of substitutes but given that two of them scored, soon after coming on, it should be accepted that his decisions were fully merited.
Referee – John Beaton – Ref’s must enjoy there being no fans in the ground as I’m fairly sure he’d have been getting pelters from the East Stand today in allowing McGhee away with murder.
