Jack Ross revealed how he told Stevie Mallan to "go on and win [Hibs] the game" when he introduced the midfielder in the victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
The 24-year-old crashed home from the penalty spot in stoppage time to hand the men in green and white all three points in Perth.
Mallan replaced Scott Allan 25 minutes from time in his first appearance since Boxing Day after struggling with a recurring knee injury.
However, he confidently stepped up from 12 yards to fire home the game's only goal after Ryan Porteous was felled in the box.
And Ross told how he gave that exact instruction when sending Mallan on to the pitch.
He said:“I said to him to go on and win the game for us, but I didn’t imagine it would be in that manner.
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“I feel he has got quality and this is the first week when he has been really fit. He’s had a problem with his knee for a while now. Even when he came back in pre-season it wasn’t quite right.
“We have worked hard at fixing that for him and I think this week of training is the best he’s felt.
He added: “I’m pleased and will help his confidence because it’s been a difficult period for him."
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