Élie Youan rescued a point for Hibs against Motherwell - but revealed he might not even have been on the pitch to score his goals after picking up an injury during the first half.

The Frenchman notched the opener midway through the opening period and levelled in time added on with the aid of a deflection to earn the Easter Road side a share of the spoils but speaking afterwards he admitted he had taken a sore one with the match still goalless - and was told he had to play through the pain barrier.

"I'm struggling right now actually; I got kicked in the first half, just before the goal," he explained. "But the gaffer told me, 'we need you, you have to stay on the pitch'. I was saying it was sore but he said I needed to stay on the pitch. Finally, I scored so it was just mental, I think - all in the mind. I was just thinking about helping the team, just one game more before the break."

Youan has struggled to replicate his blistering form during the second half of last season, last scoring in the 2-2 draw with Ross County and not registering a goal involvement since assisting Christian Doidge during the 4-1 defeat by Celtic last month. But the former Nantes youngster possesses a certain mercurial quality suggesting he can always create something out of nothing, and so he did on two occasions against the Steelmen; his first effort creeping in at the near post after taking a nick off Bevis Mugabi en route to goal, and his second taking a wicked deflection off the same player and wrong-footing Liam Kelly. 

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"The result is frustrating. I think we deserved more, but for starting the new year it is a good strong point," Youan continued. "The spirit was top. Everybody stuck together on the pitch, no matter what. We are just looking forward to the next part of the season, to improve and to show we can compete at the top of the league. The break has come at a good time. We were missing some players but we wanted to show that the team is 22 players."

One player who did make a long-awaited return to the pitch was Harry McKirdy. The 26-year-old has been out of action since the summer after routine pre-season testing revealed a heart problem requiring surgery. The former Swindon Town favourite came on as a late replacement for Dylan Vente as Nick Montgomery sought something from the game and received a warm reception from the Hibs fans as he returned to action for the first time since May last year.

READ MORE - Every word from Nick Montgomery Hibs Q&A after Motherwell draw

Hibs have struggled in the final third at times this season, despite racking up the highest 'goals for' total outside of Celtic and Rangers. McKirdy's return will offer them something different in the final third although it would be premature to suggest he will be in a position to make an immediate impact given his length of time on the sidelines. 

Youan knows what the one-time Aston Villa youngster is capable of, having trained and played with him last season, and insists McKirdy's love of the game is what kept him going during his lay-off.

"I think it is more special for him," Youan said, when quizzed on his team-mate's comeback.

"He's been through a lot lately. He's been working hard to come back. I'm happy for him. To be honest, I can't imagine what he has been through. I think he is a warrior. He loves football. When you get through something like this, you have to have the love of football to stay focused on what you do. He is back, he is a very strong guy, and a good guy as well. I'm really happy for him."

There was the obligatory embrace from Montgomery before McKirdy entered the field of play and Youan revealed there had been words from the manager before and after the game about the player's return. 

"The gaffer had some words for him before and after and we were happy for him. When he came on the pitch the crowd was really kind to him, which is good. I think now he knows everybody is behind him. That gives him the motivation to improve and play for the team."