Hibs secured a comfortable home win at Easter Road on Saturday to protect their third-place SPFL position, as Rangers threatened to overtake with a 2-1 victory over Livingston.
David Gray named an unchanged lineup following a 3-0 win over St Mirren prior to the international break. Club captain Joe Newell returned to the squad following abdominal surgery last December, providing a boost to the midfield.
Dundee entered the game reeling from a 3-0 loss to Rangers, with manager Steven Pressley facing criticism for the clubs’ inability to score goals.
First Half
Kicking off in front of a crowd of 7714, Hibs immediately got to work in the box, showing a burst of energy that set Dundee on the back foot. A flurry of shots on goal included a Kieron Bowie header that sailed agonisingly over the crossbar.
Dundee’s closest chance came from a deflected shot by former Hibernian Simon Murray, as they struggled to get any attack going.
A cross into the box by Jamie McGrath was converted into the match’s opening score by Kieron Bowie to push Hibs ahead at the 30th minute.
Second Half
Dundee displayed a touch more aggression to begin the second half, with Tony Yogane working up the wing to create some opportunities. A venture into the box resulted in a controversial booking for Yogane, as he ended up on the floor following contact with Rocky Bushiri.
Hibs’ counterattack set up a shot from outside the box by McGrath that ricocheted off the top right corner of the goalpost.
Nice passing work from McGrath and Nicky Cadden at the left edge of the box set up Hibs’ second goal of the match. McGrath connected into the bottom left corner of the net with an assist from former Dundee man Josh Mulligan.
An angling cross into the Hibs box gave Yogane a good shot at goal, forcing a diving save by Sallinger at the near post. The left winger was the only bright spot on an otherwise toothless Dundee attack.
Dundee came close once again on an 80th minute free kick that curved in behind the defence. Clark Robertson was unable to tap it in as Sallinger came up with the save.
Despite the added time, Dundee failed to get on the scoreboard. A fan at Easter Road said: “They could have played another 90 minutes and Dundee still wouldn’t have found the net.”
Fuelled by the dynamic duo of McGrath and POTM Kieron Bowie, Hibs powered past the inoffensive Dundee side, whose goalscoring woes continue. Hibs remain five points behind Celtic, who they face at home next weekend.
View the match highlights here.
