James Scott signed off from Hibs with a stunning second half hat-trick as the Easter Road club pulled the shutters down on a miserable season with a rare win.
The Hull loanee made his mark in a 4-0 closing day victory to at least provide a ray of sunshine in Leith for a side without a manager and facing a huge job in the summer to repair the damage of a wretched campaign.
The fact Scott is now heading back to Humberside means his treble provides little more than a short-term lift for a side needing major surgery.
But Hibs’ biggest win of the campaign at least secures eighth - although it does little to mask a chaotic campaign which has seen two managers sacked and bragging rights in Edinburgh lost to Hearts.
Scott’s treble after Paul McGinn had opened the scoring saw off a Saints side who rang the changes ahead of Friday’s play-off final against Inverness and who also handed a final appearance off the bench to former Hibee Liam Craig.
As one career ended another five began with Hibs teenagers Murray Aiken, Robbie Hamilton, Allan Delferriere, Jacob Blaney and Oscar MacIntyre handed their debuts off the bench by David Gray taking charge of his last match.
But it was all about Scott on the day. And the caretaker boss admits he has no idea if the 21-year-old, who has a year left on his Hull deal, would be back in Leith next season.
He said: “It’s great he got his goals today, I thought he played well on Tuesday night as well.
“Credit to him, to get a hat-trick today is great for him personally. He will say himself he’s had a frustrating season and not played as much as he would have liked.
“But whether he is here next season or not that will be between him, the club and the new manager.
“In terms of scoreline and reaction from Tuesday night and the way the season has gone, the frustration we have spoken about all season .. it’s as positive as it can be and gives the fans something to go away feeling good about.
“Everyone needs to go away and reflect now. Press reset and come back in a better place knowing where we were this season is not good enough.
“If we apply ourselves properly and get the right manager in who recruits properly then this is a very good club who can push up the league.”
Gray admits he is desperate to remain part of the set-up under the new boss having been first team coach under Shaun Maloney and his predecessor Jack Ross.
Gray said: “That will be decided by the new manager and the direction the club wants to go in.
“Myself and Eddie May were asked to do a job until the end of the season which is now done.
“I’m comfortable with the situation in terms of where I want to be. I love working for the club, I really care about it so given the opportunity I would be desperate to stay.”
Darren McGregor was also handed a return by the caretaker - his first start since December.
And Gray added: "It wasn't just sentimental reasons that he played today. He played because after Tuesday night, in terms of the reaction we needed, I knew I'd have someone I could trust, who cares about the club immensely.
"He's had nothing but success since he's been here, he's a great professional. You don't play as many games as he has, to the age he's at, without looking after yourself and doing everything right. He's a leader and he's an example to the young ones in how he goes about his business. He's dealt with challenges his whole career.
He's been huge for Hibs. He's been part of a hugely successful period. He joined in my second year and we won the Scottish Cup, then went on to win promotion, then had a record points tally in the SPFL, and has played his part in semi-finals and finals.
"Firstly, it's because he's a top player, secondly, his attitude and his determination and workrate, and, thirdly, he really cares about the football club."
