There was plenty for Shaun Maloney to ponder as Hibs narrowly saw off a battling Dundee side.
The former Celtic winger is in advanced talks with Easter Road chiefs and a deal could be struck before the end of the week.
The Belgium assistant boss wasn't inside Easter Road but he will have been pleased to see his side take a vital three points and move into the top six.
Paul McMullan's miscue from Martin Boyle 's cross saw the Dundee man head in a spectacular own goal in the capital.
Ryan Sweeney was shown his second yellow late in the clash for dissent.
After dominating the first half, Hibs failed to build on the lead and offered the struggling side hope of a route back into the game.
A long ball forward caught out the back four, leaving Danny Mullen in acres of space just yards from goal. He blasted the ball well over Matt Macey's bar in a massive let off for the home side.
It should have been two as a brilliant run from Boyle left Jordan Marshall trailing, and he squared the ball to Jamie Murphy with an inch-perfect ball. The unmarked substitute couldn't convert the chance from yards out as Adam Legzdins smothered the shot.
Dundee were falling back as they attempted to keep the margin at just one, and were sitting deep as Josh Campbell almost found the top corner. The 21-year-old unleashed a thunderbolt from 25 yards that flashed narrowly over the bar.
It was another brilliant chance for the second as Liam Fontaine miscued his clearance from Lewis Stevenson's low drive from the right flank. It fell straight to the feet of Christian Doidge, but the Welshman was punished for his hesitation and Cammy Kerr closed him down.
In the end it was enough, but Record Sport takes a look at the big moments Maloney will be jotting down in his note book.
Excitement Boyle-ing over
It's cup final week, there is a new manager coming in, and Hibs are back to winning ways.
Despite a lacklustre performance, it will be easy for fans to start getting excited again.
But if this momentum is to keep going Shaun Maloney will know he has to keep star man Martin Boyle in top form.
At times Dundee had to put two or three men on the winger to keep him at bay, and his cross proved to be the vital moment that forced Paul McMullan into a costly error.
Despite being pursued all night, Boyle managed to carve out space and was at the heart of all of the positive play going forward against James McPake's side.
Incoming Maloney has helped some of the best in the world at Belgium, so it will be interesting to see how he develops the 28-year-old.
Young talent to work with
Roberto Martinez has previously lauded Maloney's ability to work with young talent.
“He’s a very important coach who can help any young player because he has real dedication", said the Belgium boss of his trusted lieutenant back in 2018.
On the evidence of tonight's showing he has plenty to work with and develop in the capital.
One of the main positives from what has been a turbulent few months for Hibs has been the form of Josh Campbell and once again the midfielder impressed.
Jake Doyle-Hayes also controlled the pace of the game as he anchored the five men in the middle park and no doubt Maloney will have been impressed with a big performance from the former St Mirren man.
Ryan Porteous again proved to be a commanding presence at the heart of the defence, and with Josh Doig to return there is plenty to work with in Leith.
The passing game
In truth, at times there was no passing game, just long balls to Boyle or a driving run from Doyle-Hayes.
Maloney, who has worked so closely with Roberto Martinez on Belgium's passing style and football philosophy, will demand much more from the dressing room when he steps into his post.
The three points ends a bad run but it was far from a comfortable win after a scrappy showing from both Hibs and struggling Dee.
Injury concerns
Ahead of his first game in charge, Shaun Maloney is already facing some major injury concerns.
The Premier Sports Cup final is just around the corner and there is a sweat over two key men.
Both Kevin Nisbet and Chris Cadden limped off which won't be a welcome sight for the gaffer watching from home.
There could already be some major selection dilemmas for Maloney before he has even stepped in the door.
Finding a ruthless streak
Despite dominating the game, it came down to an own goal.
On Saturday, Hibs couldn't find the second goal and it cost them against St Mirren with a late leveller.
On another day, Paul McMullan would have scored from close range and Hibs would have had to settle for a point once again.
Maloney will be desperate for his new squad to find their scoring touch and see off teams.
They are creating the chances, but Jamie Murphy's scuffed finish when it looked easier to score summed up their evening.
Giving teams battling away like Dundee something to fight for in the closing stages is playing with fire - and Maloney will know that.
