Ewan Henderson is eager to respond to the urgings of Hibs gaffer Lee Johnson and maintain a killer instinct.
The playmaker was outstanding as his team surged up to third in the Premiership with a comprehensive win over St Mirren. Henderson capped a sparkling performance with an assist for Mykola Kuharevich before curling home a delightful third.
Johnson sees bundles of talent in his 22-year-old and is driving to try and get it out of his classy midfielder on a regular basis. The Hibs boss left no one in any doubt of the regard in which he holds Henderson after the win but he also outlined the fact he wants more. Johnson said: “That’s probably the one I’ve been most frustrated with. He was probably one of the first picks on the team sheet in pre-season then had an excellent first league game against St Johnstone.
“I’m just looking for that killer instinct and he showed it. We’ve been demanding him to be a killer and he was. I think he could have been even more. There was a good opportunity in the first half to bend one in at the far post but he got there which was great.
“Then there were a couple of through balls that a player of his quality I think should execute. Maybe I’m being harsh but that’s where I see him. Sometimes if a manager isn’t on you, not striving, not pushing you to be the best then you’re probably on your way out.
“Whereas I expect and demand a lot from him. I’m not accepting mediocrity from a player of his talent.”
Johnson’s words were relaid to Henderson and he spoke of the desire to keep it going with a first top-flight goal of the season in the bank. Hendo said: “I agree with the gaffer. I’ve not been at my best this season. I started off the season well then dipped a bit in form. I’m honest in the way I play the game so I’m always going to be harsh because I know what I’m capable of.
“Hopefully I can just continue doing what I did and see where it goes. I feel that after this I’ll have a bit more confidence in my game.
“Scoring goals makes you more confident too. Any footballer will say it’s the best feeling in the world and it is. Hopefully I can continue to do that. I’ve got a target for the season but I like to keep it to myself as I might not hit it.
“I like the way the gaffer wants us to play. It suits my style of play. I just need to keep my head down in training, keep working hard and hopefully keep scoring goals.”
To WIN tickets to your SPFL club's 2023 home matches, enter the competition below. If the form is not working CLICK HERE
Alongside Joe Newell the duo excelled in the middle of the park to lay a platform for the success kickstarted by Martin Boyle’s
VAR-awarded penalty in first-half stoppage time. Henderson said: “Joe’s a top player. I’m close with him off the pitch as well. He helps me every day in training. He’s always speaking to me on and off the pitch about things I could do better and how I can improve my game.
“I love playing with Joe and everyone knows how good a player he is. With his experience playing in England at a high level in the Championship he’s there to help me and make me a better player.”
It was a complete display by Hibs. Johnson delivered a line with a smile about rating Rocky Bushiri at £10million after the defenders got a clean sheet but he and the rest of the backline needed David Marshall to make saves in the first half from Saints’ Johan Ayunga and Curtis Main to get it. Boyle and Kuharevich struck to give Johnson his biggest league win since taking charge.
Such is the tightness of the division a victory after three straight defeats was enough to launch Hibs back up behind Celtic and Rangers in the standings. Henderson said: “It was similar when I came here in January. It was a tight league. You’re playing against top teams every week so you’d expect it to be tight.
“It’s good we’ve overcome those three defeats and that’s us sitting third. We went on a good run and were sitting with four wins in a row a few weeks ago. I think some people forget about that.
“We’ve had a good start to the season so hopefully we can continue in that way. There’s not an easy game in Scotland. You’re not playing against teams where you should be winning every week. Every team is good.
“Consistency is a big thing. That’s why Celtic and Rangers are where they are in the league. We just need to hopefully do what they do and go on a good run from now on.”
READ NEXT
