By Robbie Hurley, Guest Writer
A lot has been made of the new Hibs recruit Ryan Gauld but it was Stevie
Mallan who took the bit by the teeth and delivered a well needed victory for
Hibs at St Mirren Park.
In the run up to the game the headlines were filled with Neil Lennon’s most
likely imminent departure.
With no real explanation from either side and both consulting lawyers Hibs
fans were desperate for something to smile about.
Despite the ruptures in recent days, Lennon and the board had managed to
pull off a seeming transfer window coup, bringing in the man once known as
Scotland’s “mini-Messi” from Sporting Lisbon.
Given a free roaming role in the midfield in front of the enforcing Marvin
Bartley, surely it would be Gauld who could bring some joy back to the
Easter road team.
And it appeared so as he played a glorious ball with the outside of his left
foot, cutting out the St Mirren defence and sending Daryl Horgan free.
Horgan, however, fluffed his lines and this was about the best that Hibs
were to see of their new recruit.
Shortly after, Hibs went behind to a Simeon Jackson goal, with Gauld losing
his runner and Jackson slipping in between two defenders to slot home.
Things improved for Hibs in the second half, when Oli Shaw was brought on
for an injured Horgan giving Hibs two targets up front.
Soon after, Shaw broke free on the right and growing in influence in the
game, Hibs other diminutive midfielder, Stevie Mallan slipped an inch
perfect pass for the striker who coolly slotted home.
Mallan’s influence continued as he began to control the midfield, whipping
in the corner that eventually lead to Hibs second.
Gauld was hooked on 76 minutes as Hibs looked to take control of the game.
An,d with a few minutes left on the clock the mercurial Mallan, combining
again with Shaw, appeared on the edge of the 18-yard box and stroked the
ball into the bottom left corner to cap a well-deserved man-of-the-match
performance.
While Hibs wait to see the best from their mini-Messi, they may have a new
talisman to count on if Mallan can replicate this kind of performance.
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