Top line summary

  • Pleased to see a clinical edge in front of goal
  • Le Fondre 'showed his value'
  • Marshall off with 'stiff neck', Cadden and Myziane with muscle tightness
  • Lauds Jacob MacIntyre's attitude after debut

A good day at the office?

“That was an enjoyable afternoon, three points, three goals and a clean sheet, a real professional performance in a game everyone expected us to win. We were playing a Livingston team who are really fighting hard for Davie Martindale, you could see that, and they fought in the second half to keep us out, kept battling right to the end.

“I’m probably a bit disappointed we didn’t get a couple more goals. But we have to be pleased with the result after a tough week, a long trip home from Ross County after a tiring game on a soft pitch, a couple of boys struggling a bit in the second half today.

“We had the ability to take a couple of changes. So we go into that break now on the back of six games undefeated. We have to take that momentum into the break, recover a few boys, get a few back from injury, and give everything we can between now and the end of the season.

Was that as a good a performance as you've had here?

“It was nice to score three early goals. There have been a lot of games where we’ve dominated but not punished teams. We punished Livingston in the first half with some really good football, showing real composure and control in and around the box. I thought Adam Le Fondre today, again, with a goal and assist, showed his value. It’s been nice to get him back fit, because he’s been a big loss to the team through injury. But I thought everybody played their part today.

READ MORE: Hibs instant analysis - Slick and clinical, Le Fondre's class

"Joe Newell and Nectar Triantis were excellent in the middle of the park. And it was really hard to pick out anybody who didn’t put in a really good performance at the end of a tough three-game week. I’m pleased to go into the break with continued momentum, knowing we’ve got a tough game coming up right after the break."

Nice to be back in the top six, too?

“It’s always nice to be in the top six. But we can’t get carried away with what could be, what should be. At the end of the day, we’ve gone on a good run. WE should have had more points than we do – because of things out of our control. The things we can control, we showed today that we can put in a good performance in a game where we’re expected to win. And we got the fans behind us; they were fantastic today. Again. If anything, I’m disappointed we didn’t score more goals in that second half. But all credit to Livi, they kept battling and made it difficult for us."

How is David Marshall?

“He had a little bit of a stiff neck before the game. At half-time, we decided not to risk him, heading into the break and with the score the way it was.  It was a good opportunity for Jojo to come in, and he did well. Myziane had a tight muscle, Cadden had tightness. It was important not to take unnecessary risks with important players. There’s a two-week break coming up which gives us a chance to recover everybody and get a few back from injury. All in all, it was a good afternoon and we concentrate on ourselves now.”

You've spoken a lot about being more clinical, is the finishing in that first-half now a benchmark for the players?

“Yeah, there’s times we haven’t been clinical enough and punished teams. It’s something you work on a lot. The hardest thing in football is putting the ball in the back of the net, but we did it clinically today. Again, probably disappointed not to put more away in the first and second halves. But Livingston were resolute, chucking bodies on the line, you can see they’re fighting for David Martindale. It’s not easy being 3-0 down away from home, but they dug in second half and put bodies on the line, and there were a couple of good saves from the goalkeeper. It was a professional performance from us, and a well deserved three points."

How well did Adam Le Fondre knit everything together for you today?

“He’s an important player for us, but only when he’s fit and available! He’s been frustrated with injuries. He wasn’t fit when I came in at the start and ended up missing three months of the season. He was a big loss, but Adam’s a top professional. His movement, and the way he brings others into play is the reason why he’s had the career he’s had. You need to appreciate his movement. He’s an out-and-out goalscorer, I’ve a lot of time for Adam, I’ve known him a long time. It’s nice for him to come back in at a time where we needed a few bodies. He’s producing the goals, as I know he can do."

He seems to always be talking on the pitch, is he a player that everyone listens to?

“Yeah, they listen to him. He’s a great lad, and good for the culture. You need your experienced players on the pitch helping out the younger boys. We had another academy debut in Jacob MacIntyre, that’s six this season. It’s great to have them coming on with a few players missing today. He was assured when he came, and showed good energy – that’s all you want from a young player. His attitude was very good. It was a debut for him to remember."