This is how it feels (St Mirren 04 02 23)

Having had to suffer just listening on the radio when Hibs played Ross County in midweek, I at least got the chance to watch the St Mirren game even though I couldn’t make it through to join the near 1,600 Hibs fans tucked into the stand behind the goals. With Kevin Nisbet out due to injury, McKirdy was brought in as was CJ Egan-Riley who replaced Chris Cadden who dropped to the bench where he sat alongside new signing Matthew Hoppe.

In what looked to be pretty poor conditions, Hibs started the match brightly and Josh Campbell produced the first shot on goal but his effort drifted wide of the target. With the rain pelting down and the wind howling, both sides were finding the going a bit difficult although it has to be said that Hibs seemed to adapt to the conditions the better. McGeady then set up Campbell by swinging in a low cross that Josh flicked towards the goal, but the ball flew wide of the far post. McKirdy and Youan combined well for the latter to get a shot away which keeper Carson did well to dive low to his right and save. Soon after, a ball into the St Mirren box was cleared only to the eighteen yard line and Campbell struck a fierce left footed drive that struck Tanser and flew wide of the target. It’s debateable whether Tanser made a deliberate block but regardless it was enough to avoid his side conceding.

Hibs were certainly coping better with the conditions, but the hosts did break free, and O’Hara was wild with his attempted drive; the ball flying high and wide of Marshall’s goal. Moments later, McKirdy landed awkwardly near the edge of the Hibs box and Tanser pounced on the chance to get a shot away but Marshall was up to the challenge and saved comfortably. Play was then held up as McKirdy, who looked to have gone over on his ankle was carried off and replaced by debutant Matthew Hoppe. This brought about a change in set up with McGeady brought in to a more central position and Hoppe out wide. Josh Campbell then went down off the ball and was less than happy with a challenge from a Saints defender but the referee seemed to have VAR check the incident and then restart the game with a free kick to Hibs.

The hosts began to enjoy more possession as this newly arranged Hibs set up took time to settle but Hibs were next to have an effort on goal as McGeady was tripped about twenty yards out. The Hibs man took the resultant free kick, and his effort was very close to finding the target with Carson nowhere to be seen. Next, O’Hara set up Main but Marshall was equal to the challenge with a fine diving save to his right. St Mirren missed out on that occasion but they really should have taken the lead a couple of minutes later. McGeady inexplicably passed the ball into the centre of the park some twenty five yards from the Hibs goal and that pass went straight to Curtis Main who took a touch or two before blasting a shot miles over the bar with only Marshall to beat.

There was plenty of effort but little finesse on show as the sides reached the half time break. Neither manager made changes and the second half saw Hibs having to play into a strong wind. A minute or two into the half saw Youan set to break free only to be hauled back by Fraser who was booked for the challenge. It seemed that Lee Johnson had made a tactical change at half time insofar as Hoppe started through the middle with Youan to the left of him and the big striker certainly looked more comfortable in that central position.

St Mirren were enjoying more possession but doing very little with it although Kiltie drew a save from Marshall. A high ball to the St Mirren back post was headed down by Hanlon and Egan-Riley swivelled to get a shot away that flew wide. With the hour mark approaching, McGeady was replaced by Cadden and it was the new man that threaded a lovely ball towards Hoppe but unfortunately the striker had gone too early and was pulled up for offside. Main and Tanser then both had efforts but neither troubled David Marshall as Hibs continued to defend resolutely. Paul Hanlon was then booked for a foul near the centre circle as St Mirren prepared a substitution when Alex Grieve was replaced by new signing Tony Watt.

A cross from Cadden on the right witnessed Youan trying an acrobatic half volley but to no effect. Soon after, Joe Newell limped off and was replaced by Ewan Henderson and the new man was immediately involved by intercepting a pass and sending Youan free. The latter slid a lovely ball into the path of Hoppe but the No. 13 couldn’t get any power behind an angled effort. Tony Watt then bought a foul and Josh Campbell was rightly aggrieved to be booked for it. Campbell himself had been fouled repeatedly, often by Mark O’Hara but the Saints man never attracted a card from the referee. Just a minute after that booking, Cadden did well to win the ball wide right and feed it forward to Henderson who looked up and passed a glorious ball to Youan. The in form striker took the ball away from his marker for the first touch before firing the ball past Carson and in off the post for a goal.

The hosts immediately made a double substitution with Kiltie and Tanser being replaced by Small and Offord. Clearly they planned to throw everything forward in an effort to get level but the truth is, Hibs managed the game well with the back four ably assisted by Jeggo and Campbell. Three additional minutes saw Hibs successfully running down the clock to earn an important and frankly impressive three points.

The players

Marshall – A couple of good saves and a better command of his box when dealing with crosses.

Egan-Riley – Excellent throughout. The lad is definitely a footballer and showed both impressive pace at times and a willingness to get his challenges in to stifle opponents.

Fish – Outstanding in my opinion and my man of the match. Hopefully that much talked about error in the Derby can be filed away now as Fish was almost flawless in this outing.

Hanlon – Alongside Fish he looked very comfortable and had little trouble dealing with Main and then Watt.

Stevenson – His 450th league appearance saw him doing what he’s done for the vast majority of those by quietly and effectively going about his business to great effect.

Newell – Joe was having a good game and was always in and about it when the ball was there to be won.

Jeggo – Will never be spectacular but he did his job well by shielding the back four.

McKirdy – I feel heart sorry for the lad as he was spotted on crutches at the end of the game.

Campbell – I honestly believe St. Mirren were targeting him as he was fouled repeatedly throughout the game.

McGeady – Not his finest hour for Hibs I thought he kinda disappeared after he was moved more central.

Youan – Another fine goal and another fine performance. I truly hope we can work out a deal to keep him. I reckon the young lassie trying to get a selfie after the goal will want us to keep him too!

Hoppe – Got a good hour following McKirdy’s injury and I thought he put himself about well enough. Once he gets to know his team mates better, I reckon we’ll see the best of him.

Cadden – Chris has suffered form wise for a few games but he was great today. Involved in the goal and causing them trouble on their left side.

Henderson – Like many, I’ve struggled with the lad, but he was great today. Involved for his whole time on the park and a wonderful assist.

Lee Johnson – Got it bang on today and deserves credit for that.

Referee – Matthew MacDermid let an awful lot go today but you know what, I liked that he did because football was becoming too sterilised.