Hibs instant analysis as St Johnstone punish drab display

Graham Carey's second-half strike punished the Hibees' for a lacklustre display against old foe Craig Levein, one that lacked inspiration and intensity. David Marshall made a string of saves early in the second-half to keep his team in contention, but they were unable to fashion much in the way of significant opportunities.

Dylan Vente had a late red card downgraded to yellow following referee Graham Grainger's consultation for VAR, ensuring he would not be suspended for the upcoming Edinburgh derby, but there otherwise very little for a 1700-strong travelling support to feel good about.

Patrick McPartlin and Liam Bryce were in Perth to provide the instant analysis.

Bad day at the office

Possibly Hibs' worst under Montgomery, truth be told. From the first minute, his team never really looked at it on a day when they would be forced to fight and scrap for 90 minutes. To be honest, everything about the fixture just screamed hazardous: a third away day in a row, missing captain, bobbly pitch, swirling wind, and, of course, the Levein factor. Newell being out was an obvious factor in a disjointed, uninspired performance. The Jimmy Jeggo-Dylan Levitt axis didn't quite work in midfield. Levitt is clearly a technical talent but he lacks physicality, and, in the second-half, especially, it felt as though Saints were first to every second ball in midfield, with Jeggo also well off it following a few weeks mostly warming the bench. Levitt's error - passing straight to Carey from the six-yard box - led to the goal, but it had been coming for some time prior, and would likely have arrived anyway. Hibs struggled to link midfield and attack, with the front players largely anonymous throughout. This was always going to be a tough run to navigate without a hiccup, but there's no disguising how poor Hibs were on the day.

Liam Bryce

Personnel issues apparent

It would be fair to say that Joe Newell, despite mounting evidence in his favour, remains something of a polarising figure amongst Hibs fans. There are those who appreciate what he brings to the midfield - he is, without doubt, the grab-the-game-by-the-scruff-of-its-neckiest player Nick Montgomery has at his disposal - but there are also those who remain unconvinced. But anyone still on the fence about his quality need only watch back the 90 minutes at McDiarmid Park. Hibs’ midfield has won plaudits at times this season but Dan Phillips and Matt Smith bossed the midfield, not giving their opposite numbers Dylan Levitt and Jimmy Jeggo a moment’s rest. 

Individually, Levitt and Jeggo are good performers; both have played well alongside Newell in those deep central midfield roles. But as a double-act, it didn’t really work in Perth. 

But in Montgomery’s defence there wasn’t a whole lot else he could have done. Allan Delferrière was on the bench but with Jair Tavares preferred in the middle when Levitt made way for Christian Doidge, it would appear the Belgian isn’t considered ready yet for a start and the manager has already pointed out that Josh Campbell - who came on at right-back for the second half - isn’t well suited to being one of a midfield two. Rudi Molotnikov might have been a shout but we know the manager carefully picks the games in which to play his young players. But ultimately we didn’t learn much that we didn’t already know: that Newell is an important player for Hibs, and that they have precious little in reserve in midfield. 

Patrick McPartlin

Marshall keeps the score down

He's taken some stick this season, but Hibs had David Marshall to thank for ensuring they weren't completely blown away in the early stages of the second-half here. St Johnstone emerged from the interval like a runaway train, forcing the goalkeeper into a string of impressive, and vitally important, saves. It's a performance that backs up vintage displays against Aberdeen and Livingston in recent weeks, and was probably the sole positive from a dreary afternoon. That being said, it'll be little consolation to the travelling support that the only passable performance was the goalie keeping the score down. Marshall can justifiably feel a little aggrieved at what unfolded in front of him. Hibs' lack of attacking threat was always going to embolden St Johnstone as the game wore on, and the home side duly took the handbrake off post-interval. The only thing that stood between them and more goals was Marshall.

Liam Bryce

Centre-back swaps telling

Barely ten minutes had elapsed in the second half before Rocky Bushiri entered the fray in place of Paul Hanlon. The captain put in a starring performance last week against Livingston but it was clear to see why Bushiri was thrown on early in the second half at McDiarmid Park - those driving runs forward, which on one occasion led to a rare attack for the visitors. 

With Riley Harbottle yet to make a first-team appearance under Montgomery, and no obvious first-choice left-sided centre-back, it appears decisions are made based on the opposition’s style of play. While it could be considered a positive to have two players equally adept at coming in and performing well individually and as part of a back four, it may also be hindering Hibs that they can’t have a settled back four. Despite the manager’s ambiguous remarks about the January transfer window, it would be a surprise were Hibs not to look at bringing in more bodies for the position.

Patrick McPartlin