Scott Allan got Hibs off to a Premiership flier with a cool late strike to sink St Mirren.
The playmaker pounced with just five minutes to go to shatter spirited Saints and stick three points on the board for Paul Heckingbottom’s men on the opening day.
It was tough on the Buddies however, who made life hard for Hibs and passed up several chances to cause a shock in the curtain raiser in Leith.
Allan’s superb controlled finish proved to be the difference but St Mirren gave as good as they got for 90 minutes and came close to pinching a leveller at the death.
Hibs were the ones doing the pressing in the first half – but it was Saints who carried the threat on the break.
Stevie Mallan lashed over for the Easter Road men but St Mirren were the ones who came closest.
Paul McGinn was denied by a last-gasp challenge from Paul Hanlon when he was about to stick the ball in the net while Iilay Durmus was denied by a superb save from Ofir Marciano.
The Saints playmaker should have burst the net soon after when he found space 10 yards out but blazed over instead.
It was a wake up call for the home side and Hibs were more lively after the break. Scott Allan’s cross crashed off the junction of cross and bar before bouncing to safety.
Moments later Flo Kamberi had the ball in net when he tucked away the rebound from Joe Newell’s header off the same upright, but the hitman was ruled offside.
Saints chucked on new boy Jonathan Obika and he teed up Andreu to force Marciano to beat out his effort from 25 yards.
Hibs blew a golden chance soon after when Allan sent Kamberi scurrying through on goal. The Swiss striker was blocked by Vaclav Hladky but sub Doidge got his feet in a knot and couldn’t stick the ball in the empty net.
Sean McLoughlin almost nodded home at the back post at the other end and both sides struggled to keep their shape.
But it was Allan who made the breakthrough, picking up the ball inside the box, dropping his shoulder and then tucking the ball in the bottom corner.
Saints almost salvaged a point though but Obika’s stoppage time volley flashed over the top.
3 talking points
Hibs leave the back door open
It could be lively watching Hibs this season. Manager Heckingbottom has got them playing attacking, possession football, which at times looks pretty slick.
The problems come when they give the ball away. Hibs commit bodies forward but too often the passes went astray and it left them wide open at the back.
Stronger sides than St Mirren could really punish them.
St Mirren could surprise
The Buddies have been written off as no-hopers in some quarters before a ball was kicked but there will be a lot more optimism in Paisley after this performance.
Jim Goodwin’s side looked much better organised at the back than last term and there was much more of a threat. Tony Andreu looks a cracking bit of business and Iikay Durnus showed potential. The Turk found himself in some dangerous positions and just needed to add a finishing touch, while Jonathan Obika has a real presence up top.
St Mirren might not be soft touches this term after all.
Heckingbottom needs to find Allan key
Scott Allan clearly needs games after gathering dust at Celtic for a season but it’s also evident he oozes quality as his winner proved.
He made the breakthrough and showed his boss he does his best work in a more central role.
The midfielder spent most of his time on the fringes of the game out wide where he wasn’t much of an influence. There wasn’t much protection for his full back either.
Any time he did get on the ball in the middle he made things happen though and he popped up when Hibs needed him most.
Getting the best of of Allan will be key for Heckingbottom’s Hibs this season.
