Hibs started the new season with a valuable 2-1 victory away to promotion rivals Falkirk this afternoon, thanks to a double from transfer target Jason Cummings.
Before the game, it was revealed that the club had turned down a £1.2m bid from Peterborough United for the 21-year-old and Cummings started the game up front alongside new striking partner Grant Holt.
With first choice midfielders Dylan McGeouch and Fraser Fyvie missing through injury, Neil Lennon surprisingly selected teenager Scott Martin while Ross Laidlaw retained his place in goals as new signing Ofir Marcian’s work permit has still to come through.
Hibs started the game wearing their new bright yellow strip and delighted the large travelling support by taking the lead in only 90 seconds when Danny Rogers was unable to hold James Keatings’ shot and Cummings was on hand to slot the ball into the empty net.
Falkirk fought back however and levelled the scoring seven minutes later with a superb 25-yard strike from Craig Sibbald which flew into the top corner of the net leaving Laidlaw stranded.
Both sides created chances as the rain poured down onto the artificial surface and Cummings almost added a second in the 17th minute but David McCracken was on hand to clear the danger.
Two minutes later Cummings held off Luca Gasporatto and attempted to lob the ball over Rogers but the on-loan keeper was able to make the save.
Hibs restored their lead in the 48th minute after Cummings latched onto a Grant Holt pass before smashing the ball high into the net, sparking wild celebrations amongst the large travelling support behind the goal.
Hibs continued to dominate possession and Holt did well to set up John McGinn but the Scotland star’s effort was well saved by Rogers.
Peter Houston then brought on Lee Miller and Lennon responded by replacing Martin with Marvin Bartley and in an attempt to see out the match.
Falkirk had a chance to equalise in the 82nd minute when former Hibs’ midfielder John Rankin put McHugh clear but Laidlaw produced a superb save.
Referee Kevin Clancy added on four minutes of injury time but some experienced play from Boyle and Holt kept the ball at the corner flag and Hibs held on to secure the victory.
Falkirk: Rogers, Leahy, Muirhead, McCracken, Rankin, Taiwo (Craigen 72‘), Baird (Austin 60’), Sibbald (Miller 78’), Gasparotto, McHugh, Watson. Substitutes not used: Mehmet, Kidd, Hippolyte, Miller, Henderson.
Hibernian: Laidlaw, Gray, Hanlon, Fontaine, McGinn, Holt, Stevenson, Keatings (Boyle 84’), McGregor (Forster 88’), Cummings, Martin (Bartley 69’). Substitutes not used: Virtanen, Stanton, Carmichael, Harris.
Referee: Kevin Clancy.
Attendance: 6,458.
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.
