Hibs boss Terry Butcher had praised the contribution of Lewis Stevenson and Paul Cairney during yesterday’s 3-0 win over Kilmarnock at Easter Road; only the third home league victory in 2013.
Cairney’s corner set up Paul Hanlon’s opener then the former Partick Thistle midfielder added a second just as he was about to be substituted, before Lewis Stevenson scored only his second goal for the club in seven years.
After the game a delighted Butcher said: “Lewis and Paul typified the team spirit yesterday. They are not going to go past people and hit the bye-line, they don’t have the Alex Harris pace and trickery, but what they do is they maximise their strengths and they have given us some really solid performances. It might not be thrill-a-minute, but it is steady and it is honest. They are really honest people.
“Paul Cairney was in the process of being taken off when he scored our second goal – so he stayed on for a few minutes longer, but the work-rate from everyone was just sensational.”
Now all thoughts are on the New Year’s derby on Thursday night with Hibs’ fans desperate to add to their neighbour’s woe after suffering two defeats to the Gorgie men earlier in the season.
Butcher continued: “To win the last game of 2013 at home when we’ve only won two previous ones does help send the supporters away happy – and now everyone is buoyant and bubbly ahead of Thursday night.
“There will be a lot more people here to cheer us on, hopefully, and hopefully we can give them the same kind of result.
“Everyone says it’s a big game, a massive game, but to me it’s just another game that we are looking forward to playing.
“The games are coming thick and fast, but when you are winning games, picking up points and keeping clean sheets, you can’t wait for games to come. It is enjoyable.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
