This is how it feels (Kilmarnock 16 01 21)
It’s been an interesting few days following Hibs’ deserved point at Parkhead on Monday night. Some pundits felt we were lucky, and some thought Celtic were playing with a substantially weakened team. Those pundits were wrong on both counts. Hibs were actually unlucky not to win the game, in my view plus Celtic fielded eight starters from their last game out and so talk of substantially weakened was nonsense.
I hoped the point won at Parkhead might instil some confidence into the team and I think it did, along with a solid if unspectacular win against a stuffy Kilmarnock side. The pitch was awful and both sides suffered but so too did we, as spectators. It was pretty dire for long spells with the ball spending far too much time in the air.
Since the Celtic game, Hibs brought two new signings to the club in the shape of Jackson Irvine and Chris Cadden. These are guys of proven ability in the Scottish game and they’ll help the club with the depth they add to the squad. I thought both would be on the bench today, but Jackson started and Cadden got a run out later in the game.
With Joe Newell missing due to injury, Hibs set up with what looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Hallberg and Gogic holding and Jackson pushed on to support Nisbet up front. It almost worked early in the game when Irvine’s lay off saw McGinn doggedly fighting his way into the box before having a pop at goal. Rogers saved but it’s as well he held on to the ball as Nisbet was waiting to pounce.
After what might be considered a bright start the game soon developed into a midfield war of attrition with Willie Collum’s whistle on overtime. Surprisingly, Collum allowed many of these challenges to go unpunished which is unusual for a man that has more cards than Hallmark.
When the occasional ball was threaded through, first Whitehall for Killie and then Nisbet for Hibs were caught offside. Around the twenty minute mark, Whitehall again and Irvine were caught offside when passes through were delayed just a fraction too long. With half time approaching, Killie came out of their shell a bit and strikes by both Kiltie and Tshibola were easily charged down. It has to be said that anything into the Hibs box was being dealt with well by Hanlon and Porteous in particular whilst McGinn and Doig both looked solid. In fact, it was McGinn who next had an effort on goal for Hibs but although he found space from a Hallberg corner he steered his header high over the bar.
Hibs came out unchanged for the second half and pushed Killie back, winning a corner. Hallberg’s delivery was met by the head of Gogic who angled his effort down and towards the far post, but Danny Rogers denied him with a fine save. Around the fifty minute mark Hibs took the lead. Jamie Murphy took possession of the ball just inside his own half before striding towards the Killie box. It looked as though he’d been closed down, but clever play allowed him to feed the overlapping Doig. When Josh delivered a first time low cross into the area, Killie’s Alan Power in trying to block the ball succeeded instead in steering the ball under the body of Rogers and into the net. It was scrappy but the build up was impressive, even if luck played a part at the end.
Killie tried to hit back straight away but a Whitehall header from good position drifted past the post. Alex Dyer made a double change to try and get them back into the game with Burke and Kabamba joining the fray. With twenty minutes left, Kabamba beat the offside trap and fired low shot across the keeper only for the ball to strike the far post and fly back into the grateful arms of Matt Macey. When I looked at the replay, I saw that Hanlon and Porteous had correctly stepped out, but Paul McGinn was too slow and played the Killie man onside. It was a let off for sure.
With fifteen minutes left, Jack Ross replaced the tiring Jackson Irvine with Christian Doidge with the big fella pushed up front to support Nisbet. A magnificent run down the left by Doig saw the youngster angle his run into the box but his progress was blocked off by two defenders cutting in front of him. It looked a penalty to me, but not to Willie Collum who waved play on.
Another fabulous cross from Doig saw Boyle rising well at the far post but his excellent header was well saved by Rogers at his near post. Ten minutes from time a crude foul by Power on Boyle earned the Killie man a yellow card. The resultant free kick picked out Gogic at the far post and the Hibs man headed the ball back into the mix. Porteous flicked it on and the ball reached Doidge who controlled it on his chest before cushioning it to Gogic some twenty yards out. Gogic hammered it first time and the ball ripped into the net with Rogers well beaten. Soon after, Boyle was replaced by debutant Chris Cadden who slotted in on the right hand side.
It was all about game management now and let’s be honest we’ve not been the best at that and have conceded a few late goals that cost us points we already had wrapped up. Killie were throwing everything at us now with central defender Dikamona becoming an auxiliary forward, but it was all to no avail and indeed Hibs might have had a third when substitute Stevie Mallan got free on the right. Mallan hit his shot well enough but Rogers was equal to it.
Not the greatest of games and not the best performance but having said that, a number of Hibs players had a good and solid ninety minutes. I think the fact that Macey faced only one direct shot and that we kept a clean sheet it’s safe to say we are going in the right direction again.
The players
Macey – An easy afternoon for the big fella who dominated his box. There were a couple of dodgy handling errors but thankfully they were not punished.
McGinn – His part in the Tshibola effort aside, I though Paul was really good today, both attacking and defending.
Porteous – For me this was Ryan’s best game in a while. Other than a couple of wayward passes his use of the ball was good and he dominated Whitehall and then Kabamba throughout.
Hanlon – Didn’t really put a foot wrong and never looked troubled.
Doig – A fantastic performance from Josh. His stamina is unbelievable, and his defensive positioning is getting better each time he plays.
Boyle – This was not one of his better days and I felt he struggled more than most with the state of the pitch.
Hallberg – Melker has his doubters and I’ve been critical of him myself in the past, but I thought he was spot on today.
Gogic – I confess I was less than impressed with his first half input but looking back I can acknowledge that his hard work helped ensure Killie couldn’t get easy possession when attacking. His second half he was like a different player, still doing the work of the first but adding to it in an attacking sense. His goal was a stunner and overall, he just pips a couple of others to my man of the match award.
Irvine – It was always going to be a big ask, expecting him to slot in seamlessly and have several attempts at goal. Overall, I thought he showed some lovely touches and I’m certain the seventy five minutes he got will stand him in good stead.
Murphy – Jamie just oozes quality, and it was very noticeable that Killie tried to double up on him every time he had the ball. Kiltie was playing more like a second full back than an attacking midfielder.
Nisbet - I remain to be convinced that Kevin likes the sole striker role. His movement is good and his workrate unquestionable, but I felt he was isolated too often to cause the Killie defence any real concerns.
Doidge – The big fella certainly gave the Killie defenders something to worry about and I have to say his control and layoff for the second goal was first class.
Cadden – Didn’t really see enough of him to form a concrete opinion but given his pedigree I’m sure we’ve signed a good ‘un.
Gullan – Not on long enough to get involved.
Mallan – Same as Jamie Gullan but I have to say his shot near the end might have been better deployed as a pass to Gullan in the middle.
Jack Ross – A good day at the office result wise and he seemed happy with what he’s seeing. I’m not sure I am, in terms of how we set up and play but a win’s a win and he’s the boss!
Referee – Willie Collum will need a new whistle because he blew that one today, to death.
