Oli Shaw hat trick helps Hibs maintain top spot in SPFL Development League

The Hibernian Development Squad retained top spot in the SPFL Development League with a comprehensive 3-0 away victory over Partick Thistle yesterday at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.

Young striker Oli Shaw, who has already tasted first team action, was the hero with an impressive hat trick in front of watching Neil Lennon.

Shaw’s first came on 30 minutes with a simple tap in then nine minutes later he added a second with a half volley.

He also hit the post before wrapping things up near the end.

After the game, Development Squad Coach Grant Murray told the club website:“Obviously result wise, it’s a very important result coming here, where Partick have been doing very well in the league. They were sitting in second place, so there was an added incentive to go out and win the game.

“I don’t think we started as well as we wanted to. Partick were doing okay in the first fifteen minutes, but once we got to grips with that, I thought we were well in control and scored three good goals.”

“It should give them a lot of belief going forward. They are top of the league for a reason – they’ve been working hard, winning games of football, doing the right things, scoring goals, keeping clean sheets.

“To achieve all this, needs hard work and strong performances, and we got that today.”

“I think it shows that right from front, to the back, we’re willing to work hard for each other.

“Any mistakes we did make today, we were there to mop it up; put our heads on the line and block tackles. Sometimes games are won and lost at each end, but we certainly merited the win.

“Oli deserved his hat-trick – his work rate was fantastic. All round, I think it was a very hard working team performance.”

Hibernian starting line-up: P. Martin; Porteous, Waugh, Crane; Donaldson, S. Martin, I. Murray (F. Murray, 83), Mackie; Gullan (Smith, 89); Shaw (Watson, 89), Allan