The busy post-break schedule continues on Saturday when Partick Thistle come to Fir Park. Analysis of the defeat at Easter Road will be quickly overtaken with preparations for the first of three home league fixtures.
The Partick squad had the luxury of a free midweek and Alan Archibald was able to take a seat in the Easter Road stand on Wednesday to size up his next opponents. What he saw was a team that was well organised but short of a creative spark.
A left weighted kick-off
With Cadden and Cifti rested on the sidelines for most of the game we went through the motions and came close to matching Hibs. Dunne did well to block a low drive but the ball fell perfectly for Kamberi to give Hibs the lead after half an hour. Tait was out of position just after the break and Boyle's telling run set up Barker's goal. As Stephen Robinson admitted afterwards, "the second goal killed the game".
It was not until all three substitutes had been committed that we looked like an effective forward going team. We have to hope that a full strength eleven starts on Saturday.
Thistle have recorded three wins since they beat us 3-2 at Firhill in December. They overcame Hamilton, Ross County and St Johnstone but still occupy eleventh place, albeit with a six point gap above the Staggies. Of more concern is that they are now only five points behind us so the importance of Saturday's result is obvious.
Lawless, Sammon and Edwards scored in Perth last weekend as the revival continued but we seem to have unearthed a striker of our own. Curtis Main is on a 3 from 3 run of goals and looking good. His strength and energy combined with height and build make him an ideal partner for Ciftci with Tanner in support. If that threesome take to the pitch on Saturday we could be looking at a 1-0 win.