Hibs manager Jack Ross was delighted to see the Hibees end their five-game losing streak in the Premiership with a two late goals over St Johnstone yesterday – but insists his side got what they deserved from the McDiarmid Park clash.
St Johnstone took a first-half lead through Liam Gordon with Kevin Nisbet twice having goals disallowed for offside before he finally equalised and sparked a late turnaround.
(Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Nisbet would turn provider for Jamie Murphy minutes after getting his own goal and Ross insists the result vindicates his decision to stick by the players who struggled in the league recently.
‘The result was the be-all and end-all, but it was a really good performance as well,” Ross said after the final whistle.
‘This period has been one in which we needed to have trust. When you lose games consecutively, sometimes you feel within the group that they’re losing faith in what you do.
‘But it’s not felt like that. They’ve been very upbeat and bright. We created so many opportunities out there and got what we deserved.”
Murphy and fellow substitute Scott Allan played a big part on turning around St Johnstone’s first-half lead, with Ross believing the game was “tailor-made” for the experienced pair.
Former Rangers and Brighton winger Murphy has had a difficult time with injuries at Easter Road and his manager admits the veteran is determined to prove his quality at Hibs after a difficult few years.
“The manner of the second half, with the way we were so dominant, meant it was tailor-made for Jamie and Scott,” Ross added.
‘They’ve that real quality in the final third and we had so much of the ball there.
“Jamie kept putting himself in good areas and you saw how much it meant to him. He’s determined to do well here and does love his football.
‘He’s had a frustrating period, but he made a big impact. With Scott, that’s what he gives us – either starting or coming off the bench.
“In the right circumstances, he will always be part of what we do here. The impact of all the subs shows how we treat them and how they feel involved.
“The goals were real high-quality irrespective of whether they were against 11 men or 10.”
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