Hibs have the quality to make Hearts sweat as Marink Reedijk reveals what he saw in St Mirren draw

The visitors looked poised to end their seven-game winless league run when centre-back Marko Ivezic bundled home from a corner in the 77th minute, only for Paul Nsio to equalise for the Buddies six minutes later in a chaotic conclusion to an otherwise uninspiring 1-1 draw.

Reedijk, however, felt the result was less significant than the evidence he believes his players are beginning to provide that they can turn their fortunes around. The Dutchman, still searching for his first win since taking charge last month, was encouraged by the intensity, commitment and togetherness displayed by his side ahead of a huge showdown with their bitter rivals at the national stadium.

“Yes, and we deserved to win, I think, based on the match,” Reedijk responded when asked whether victory had been within Hibs’ grasp. “I saw a good side who wanted to fight for each other, who wanted to be intense, recover the ball, up high a few times. A point is a point and we take that, but we deserved three.”

Reedijk was keen to stress that his confidence in the direction his team are going was not dependent on the final score after Hibs moved off the foot of the table, explaining: “That is more based on how we performed again. I saw again a team who wanted to fight, did parts better which we could improve against Celtic. So that’s also a very positive thing. And the celebrations with the fans [when we scored], the togetherness, the intensity there, that tells me also something.”

Hibs had dominated possession for long periods but struggled to create many clear-cut opportunities before the interval. St Mirren’s compact defensive shape restricted the space available in the final third, and the visitors were unable to turn their territorial advantage into a decisive lead until the closing stages.

Nicky Cadden, who made his first start of the season, provided a creative spark for Hibs with a number of excellent deliveries that were instrumental in creating pressure from which Hibs eventually scored. And Reedijk was pleased with the winger’s contribution, believing Cadden’s return gives his side another dimension.

“It gives us a different flavour again,” he smiled. “I think he did a very good job. He had to go off with cramp and that tells a lot. So he gave all himself and that’s super important in order to go to Sunday but also the matches after.”

Reedijk delivered an emphatic response when asked whether Hibs have sufficient quality to overcome Hearts, even if their performances had not always translated into results.

“Every team is as good,” he said. “If you have that or you have a team, then this is more than the value of every individual. But I disagree also with the statement that the quality is not there. We have quality in the house. I think being a team with the quality we have, I don’t see a reason why we cannot beat Hearts.

“These are special matches based on a lot of things. I’m looking forward to experiencing this. I’ve seen it in Belgium and obviously in Holland, but here the people are intense and this is what I really like. Therefore, I’m very much looking forward.”

What St Mirren boss Craig McLeish

The late equaliser, courtesy of Jason Kerr’s scrappy own goal from a corner, brought relief for St Mirren boss Craig McLeish after a performance he admitted fell short of the standards he had hoped to see following last weekend’s win over Dundee.

“I was pleased to get a point as I didn't think we were quite at it,” he conceded. “We didn't create a lot and you get nights like that were things didn't quite click for us. We shouldn't have to wait until we concede a goal to get going and it may be a bit hard on Hibs but there is more to come from us.

“Paul Nsio came on and gave us a bit of a spark and that gives is something to think about when picking the team for Saturday now. We can't turn down picking up a point when we are not at our best and we had a chance at the end to win it. Hibs are a good side and they were good again tonight and we can have no real complaints about coming away with a point.”