Hibs learn from Dundee draw as Jair makes key role his own

A 2-1 win at Dens Park was the first time this season that back-to-back Premiership victories have been secured, and it felt crucial to do so at the onset of a gruelling run of, mostly, away fixtures. The Jair Tavares redemption arc continued apace at the end of a week when the Portuguese got candid about how difficult life under Lee Johnson became for him.

He's grasped the clean slate afforded him by Nick Montgomery with both hands, and was key to Saturday's success on Tayside. He engineered and finished the first goal, and has made the left-sided position in Nick Montgomery's 4-4-2 his own. Here, we look at how Jair fits into the team, and how Hibs managed to disrupt Dundee more effectively than in the Easter Road stalemate from earlier in the campaign.

Jair's role and telling impact

By now, it's clear Montgomery's 4-4-2 is simply a jumping-off point for something much more fluid than anything Mike Bassett had in mind with this particular formation. Jair plays on the left of it, but not too much like a traditional winger, albeit he did find himself in some good 1v1 situations on Saturday. 

Mostly, though, he will look for space in-field, and it was through that movement the first goal was crafted. In a broader context, the below is a position we've seen Jair take up on a number of occasions since he was introduced to the team, one that tends to spark opponents into applying heavy pressure as he receives facing his own goal. There have been times when he's been bullied off the ball in this exact scenario, but look how in this instance he uses his arms to feel the contact from Malachi Boateng, which naturally forces the Dundee midfielder to slow down, allowing Jair to protect the ball and spin. It's a subtle action, one that is probably most often taught to strikers, but an effective one.

It's also a sign of how the 22-year-old is adapting to the Premiership's physicality. It seems unlikely he's ever going to be a powerhouse-type player, but there are ways he can mitigate for his relatively small stature, and Saturday's goal was the perfect example. His turn takes Dundee's entire midfield out of the game, and opens up the pitch for Jair to drive forward. The scene below, with dark blue shirts all scrambling back towards their own goal, is something we didn't see enough of in the reverse fixture, nor was Hibs players making runs in behind and being picked out.

Dylan Vente pulls wide to latch on to a ball down the side, and Jair continues his run forward. Vente's pass into the box is good, but Josh Campbell's contribution is so important because not only does the dummy allow the ball through to Jair, his run attracts Antonio Portales' attention away from the real danger, and eventual goalscorer. As he sees Campbell darting across, Jair slightly adjusts his run and ends up in the optimum position to slot the ball home. It's a brilliantly worked goal, with Will Fish explaining afterwards that it's the type of play Hibs work on in training.

Rotations, willing runners, Rocky's key improvement

In our preview analysis, we detailed how Hibs would likely look to create and exploit gaps between Dundee's three centre-backs in order to fashion chances, something that largely absent in the Easter Road game. Both Celtic and Rangers were able to do this effectively in their respective wins over Tony Docherty's team this season, primarily through rotations in forward areas, and attacking players being willing to make runs in behind.

On the right, Martin Boyle and Josh Campbell dovetailed nicely, switching positions and moving Dundee around. Campbell had the first chance of the game, slashing an effort high over the bar after some good approach play. It was a disappointing finish, but it started with Hibs' movement opening up gaps. In the example below, Lewis Miller takes possession, Campbell makes a run beyond, and Boyle drops into the hole to pick up the ball.

Boyle's central presence seems to knock Dundee off kilter somewhat, given their midfield three are all attracted to the ball simultaneously. That allows Hibs to play out the other side with Obita, with Jair - one of three players making forward runs - sprinting into the gap that has opened up between the right and middle centre-back. Jair eventually sets up a 1v1 with Portales, and his ball across creates the opportunity for Campbell to shoot.

It would be an exaggeration to say Hibs conjured up opportunities at will, but there were encouraging signs in their attacking play. There was, admittedly, a difference to how Dundee approached this game compared to the previous meeting - they were more aggressive in their press, and took more risks in trying to win it back, and at times it led to leaving space for Hibs to play into. Still, though, Montgomery's side deserve credit for being able to play through their hosts, who have been credited as among the most disciplined, well-organised sides in the division. 

READ MORE: Will Fish admission underlines scale of Jair's Hibs revival

In possession, Saturday was among Rocky Bushiri's most assured performances. When Montgomery arrived, the centre-back did not look entirely comfortable with how his new manager wanted to build from the back. Now, though, he appears to be steadily growing into the role. Not so long ago, opposition teams were happy to let Bushiri have the ball, and he looked unsure of himself - uncomfortable playing on his left foot, and hesitant in stepping forward with the ball.

A decisive pass into Jair before the opening goal was indicative of an increased confidence in the DR Congo international's play, and that can only be of value to Hibs moving forward.