High-five for Hi-bees

Hibernian cruised into the Active Nation Scottish Cup quarter finals with a comfortable victory over Montrose at Easter Road.

Manager John Hughes made one change to the team who defeated St Mirren, with Paul Hanlon replacing Sol Bamba in defence. Recent signing Alan Gow had to be content with a place on the bench, while Montrose fielded a young team with former Hibs keeper Andy McNeil in goal.

The home team started strongly and McNeil was called into action after only two minutes, with a great save from a Liam Miller shot. It was, however, the visitors who almost took a shock lead, after Ian Murray lost possession in his own box, but John Gemmell shot wide.

This miss proved costly after four minutes when Hibs opened the scoring. A Derek Riordan shot was parried by McNeil and Colin Nish made no mistake from 6 yards. The early strike settled the supporters’ nerves, and Hibs created several good chances.

Anthony Stokes had an appeal for a penalty rejected on 20 minutes, after McNeil appeared to bring him down, however referee Alan Muir waved play on.

Hibs were not to be denied, and doubled their lead five minutes later. Ian Murray found John Rankin with a quickly taken free kick, and the midfielder’s cross was stabbed home by Nish for his fifth goal of the season.

Half Time Hibernian 2 Montrose 0

McNeil received a warm reception from the Hibs fans in the Famous Five Stand at the start of the second half, and it was his team mates who created several chances in the early stages, as Hegarty, first, and then Davidson both had shots which went close.

On 62 minutes, a fierce shot from substitute Zemmama was well saved by McNeil, and from the rebound, Ian Murray slipped the ball to Nish who should have completed his hat trick, but his tame shot was easily saved.

Seven minutes later, Hibs secured their quarter final place with a contender for goal of the tournament from Derek Riordan. The striker picked up a loose ball in midfield and struck a stunning drive into the top
corner from 30 yards.

John Hughes immediately replaced Nish and Stokes with Benjelloun and new signing Gow.

Montrose pulled a goal back after 73 minutes with a 25 yard strike from Chris Hegarty who was booked for his celebrations.

Hibs restored their three goal advantage a few minutes later when Benjelloun headed in a Zemmama cross. The scoring was completed in 87 minutes when Murray slipped in Gow who beat two Montrose defenders before side footing the ball past McNeil.

At the end of the game, several Montrose players exchanged jerseys with their SPL opponents, and many of the Hibs team congratulated former team mate McNeil whose saves kept the score-line at a respectable level.

After the game, John Hughes said: “It was a good professional performance and we could have scored one or two more, but credit to Montrose. They were hard working and resolute and deserved their goal due to their second half performance.”

Montrose manager Steven Tweed said: “We fought well and were still in the game at two nil, but that was when full time fitness took over. Hibs are a quality side.”

Keeper McNeil also praised the quality of the Edinburgh side. He said:” Hibs showed their true class today and I think they are probably better than the team I played in which won the League Cup. We did OK though and gave a decent account of ourselves.”

The draw for the quarter finals will take place at 1pm on Wednesday 10th February.