Delighted Jack Ross welcomed Kevin Nisbet back on the goal trail and then challenged him to finish the season in style by ensuring Hibs seal third and he ends as the Premiership’s top scorer.
Sub Nisbet came off the bench against Ross County to score his first goal since he put in his January transfer request in the final days of the window, after Birmingham City had several bids turned down.
It was a vital one as it put Hibs, who had lost their last two, six clear of Aberdeen and in the driving seat to be the best of the rest, behind the Old Firm.
Ross said: “Kevin is a young man who has had a fairly steep upward curve in his career - and rightly so.
“The rewards that are on offer on the other side of the border are fairly significant.
“For any individual that is gouging to be head-turning. There was never any issue - I was still supportive of what he had to consider.
“It would have been remiss of me not to be, but in terms of his reaction it has been really good. Kevin is just desperate to play.
“He was subject to significant interest. For a young player, that was head-turning but there was never any issue for either Kevin or the club.
“He knows he can be part of a team that finishes third. He’s edging towards 15 goals and towards top scorer in the league.
“If he does that, I’m sure there will be opportunities again.”
Hibs is in the driving seat for third spot but Ross knows his side still have it all to do.
The Hibs boss stated: “The whole lead up to the game has been that this is the biggest game of the season for us.
“That’s how we treated it as players and staff. We didn’t want to downplay it in any way as our games in hand. Now the next one becomes the biggest game.”
Hibs hadn’t beaten County this season or even scored against them before today.
Ross’ men burst that hoodoo at just the right time.
The omens had looked good for the Highlanders as it was five years to the day since they lifted the 2016 League Cup, beating Hibs in the final.
But it was to be another afternoon of disappointment for County who had gone ahead through Billy Mckay but then saw Martin Boyle equalise from the spot, before Nisbet popped up.
The only real winners at the bottom were Kilmarnock as County and Hamilton both lost.
A slack Leo Hjelde pass back gifted Hibs an early chance.
Boyle squared for Chris Cadden, but he fired over the bar.
Hibs were the better team in the first half with County offering next to nothing in terms of working Ofir Marciano.
The second period was a bit livelier as County scored with their first effort on goal.
Jordan Tillson swung in a cross that was headed on by Jordan White for Mckay who fired home.
Hibs immediately sent on Nisbet for Cadden.
The Staggies hardly had time to celebrate when they gave away a penalty.
Boyle was fouled by Alex Iacovitti inside the box although the home coaching staff felt the decision was soft.
Hibs boss Ross, however, defended Boyle.
He stated: “I don’t think he conned the referee. I've seen it. He turns the wrong side of the defenders.
“I thought it was a penalty, but people will have different opinions. I certainly don’t think he dived.”
The Australian international picked himself up and waited for Ross Laidlaw to make his move and he drilled it down the middle.
Boyle was in the thick of things and was cautioned for a challenge on Hjelde.
Hibs took confidence from their leveller and looked to kick on.
Laidlaw had to rush out and deny Boyle, as he raced out, while the keeper also had to block a long-range Gogic shot.
Hibs were rewarded when Paul Hanlon’s back post cross was knocked home by Nisbet.
The home side made a number of changes as they pushed for a leveller.
They came close when White got his head on a Hjelde ball into the box but his effort came off the far post.
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