Hibs instant analysis: Myziane the man, Levitt switch pays off

Second-half goals from Myziane Maolida and half-time sub Dylan Levitt provided relief for Nick Montgomery's side in what was a largely stodgy affair at Easter Road. The manager named an unchanged XI from the midweek Edinburgh derby, and his team looked a little jaded in the face of County's deep rearguard action.

But with Dundee held at home by Kilmarnock, the result takes Hibs into the upper half of the table, and continues the simmering momentum built up by improved fortunes over recent weeks. Patrick McPartlin and Liam Bryce were in Leith to provide the instant analysis.

By any means necessary

This wasn't vintage stuff from Hibs, far from it at times, but at the end of a three game week, three points of any kind will do. There was, perhaps, a lingering hangover from Wednesday night's derby exertions, an occasion that saps physical and mental energy like no other for a Hibs player. Montgomery opted against shuffling his pack, sticking with the same XI that started against Dundee and Hearts, and they produced a first 45 lacking in urgency and incision. Ross County settled into a tightly packed defensive shape from the off, and they would have been satisfied with how the opening period panned out. Hibs did not take enough risk in possession, and it made for slow, ponderous build-up that was punctuated by sloppiness. It was sloppiness that a more ambitious side may have punished, but with County showing little to no ambition, it became a case of whether Hibs could find their rhythm. It would be generous to say they hit anything like top gear, and they were given an even more generous helping hand from County keeper Wickens in spilling the ball into Myziane's path for the opener. Levitt's clincher made it safe, and it was crucial that Hibs got this over the line, considering results elsewhere with Dundee dropping points and Aberdeen losing to St Mirren.

Liam Bryce

Myziane the man... again

When Hibs signed Myziane Maolida there was understandably a bit of concern over what appeared to be a somewhat chequered time at Hertha Berlin: publicly castigated by the manager, banished to the German side’s B team, and reduced to kicking a ball in the Regionalliga. 

A rusty performance on his debut against Rangers possibly added to those fears, and even though he scored an equaliser against Kilmarnock in his second appearance and certainly showed glimpses of why he had commanded such large transfer fees earlier in his career, he still looked off the pace, particularly in the 3-0 defeat by St Mirren.

But he followed up a promising cameo against Celtic with a smart assist for the opening goal in the 2-2 draw with Aberdeen, and the winner against Dundee. He came close to another winner against Hearts and scored the all-important first goal against Ross County.

But it wasn’t just the goal, it was his all-round performance. He could have added a couple of assists to top it all off if there had been better finishing from his team-mates. 

Nick Montgomery has been consistent in his belief that Myziane is a player with real quality and the sort of attributes that Hibs have been missing. On this performance he is becoming someone on whom the head coach can rely. 

If Hibs are to finish the season strongly, Myziane will have a big role to play in it. 

Patrick McPartlin

Levitt switch pays off

If Dylan Levitt could do this every week, Hibs would have a real asset in the middle of the park. Brought on at half-time for Nathan Moriah-Welsh - who had quite the off day - the Welshman had a telling impact on this victory. He introduced himself to proceedings with a gorgeous first-time diagonal pass into the path of Jordan Obita, then sweetly struck a very difficult bouncing ball from distance that found the target, and the opening goal would not have happened had he not spun brilliantly under pressure in midfield before setting Hibs on the attack. He then, of course, made the points safe with a well-taken strike after picking up Elie Youan's pass on the edge of the box. He's still capable of the odd moment where he seems to short circuit without warning, twice ceding possession under no pressure in just a few seconds, and while dangerously close to Hibs' defensive third. But there's no denying his impact on a game in which Hibs were not taking enough risks in possession, whereas Levitt is able to see that forward pass before others, and play it quickly. Confidence seems to have been an issue this season, which is a shame, as he's clearly capable of brilliance.

Liam Bryce

Off day for Emi

There is no doubting Emiliano Marcondes’ quality and ability, but his display against Ross County was perhaps a small reminder that, prior to his move to Hibs, he hadn’t played a lot of football for a considerable amount of time. 

He pulled the strings against Dundee, scored against Hearts, and could have had a second. But he looked decidedly rusty against the Staggies, with a few too many misplaced passes - and not just because his colleagues weren’t at the races either. 

It was perhaps surprising to see him last as long as he did before eventually making way for Nectar Triantis as Nick Montgomery adopted a bit more of a batten-down-the-hatches approach before Dylan Levitt made the points safe, but he is the type of player who can almost just be counted on to pull something out of the bag when it’s least expected.

But the Dane will benefit from a week off before the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers and that could, and should, allow him to be back at his best.

That said, he still played a part in a ground-out victory and for every stray pass there was an intuitive flick or a pass few others in a Hibs shirt would have seen, let alone be capable of pulling off. 

Patrick McPartlin