Scottish Premiership – Hibernian v Ross County. Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK. 12/02/2020. Pic shows: Hibs celebrate after HibsÕ striker, Chris Doidge, puts them 2 up during the 1st half as Hibs play host to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership at Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh. Credit: Ian Jacobs

The Hibs’ fans who braved the freezing cold conditions were rewarded with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Ross County at Easter Road last night.

Head Coach Jack Ross made four changes to the starting XI that beat BSC Glasgow on Sunday with Lewis Stevenson, Steven Whittaker, Daryl Horgan and Stephane Omeonga making way for Joe Newell, Vykintas Slivka Adam Jackson and Scott Allan.

Hibs started brightly and Martin Boyle went close in the opening minute after latching onto a cross from Greg Docherty but his effort flew over the bar.

The hosts took the lead in the 6th minute when Allan sent an inch perfect through ball to Sunday’s hat trick hero Marc McNulty who slid it past the advancing Nathan Baxter.

Hibs continued to mount attack after attack but the visitors looked dangerous on the break and Ofir Marciano did well to block an Iain Vigurs effort and Paul Hanlon robbed Billy Mckay as he was about to shoot from close range.

With half-time approaching Hibs added a second when Christian Doidge stooped to head home Newell’s corner.

Hibs started the second half as they finished the first with Boyle in particular on top form and both Liam Fontaine and Vigurs were booked by referee Steven McLean for fouls on him.

Former Hibs’ youngster Oli Shaw replaced Lee Erwin and was given a warm welcome from the home supporters.

With eight minutes remaining McNulty’s cross was handled by Marcus Fraser and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but the normally reliant striker’s penalty was well saved by Baxter.

Newell took the resultant corner and Adam Jackson rose above the defenders to head the ball into the net to secure the three points.

After the final whistle Ross told BBC Scotland:  “Greg Docherty has been terrific since he came in. I got to see him first-hand in England last year at Shrewsbury. He has brought exactly what we wanted to the team. His energy is terrific. He’s enjoying his football and he will be terrific for us until the end of the season.

“Not so long ago we were in a very difficult position at the bottom of the table and now we’re in a much healthier position and now competing where we think we should be.”

Hibs: Marciano, Hanlon, McGinn, Slivka, Doidge, Boyle, Newell, McNulty, Docherty, Jackson, Allan. Subs: Bogdan, Horgan, James, McGregor, Murray, Omeonga, Gullan.

Ross County: Baxter, Fraser, Kelly, Fontaine, Draper, Erwin, McKay, Vigurs, Watson, Paton, Donaldson. Subs: Laidlaw, Mullin, Foster, Shaw, Spittal, Tillson, Cowie

Referee Steven McLean

Attendance 14,486

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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.