Hibs coasted to a 4-1 Premier Sports Cup victory over Bonnyrigg Rose in front of a sell-out crowd away at New Dundas Park.
A botched clearance inside the opening two minutes allowed Joe Newell to dispatch calmly into the home net before Ewan Henderson made it two just before the interval but that was far from the final goal of the half. Instantly did Robbie Horn's men hit back through a fantastic lobbed effort by Kevin Smith.
Newell then made it a brace for himself to cap off a manic three-minute spell in first half stoppage time, with the game just about done from then and the second half becoming an exhibition match in feeling. Henderson was on hand though to deliver a fourth goal for his team. It was a return to form for Hibs and manager Lee Johnson will be pleased after a humbling 1-0 loss to League One club Falkirk last time out.
READ MORE: Josh Doig explains his Hibs exit and the Aaron Hickey chat that helped sell him on Serie A transfer
They round off their group stage with a home tie versus Morton on Wednesday.
Johnson's men are top of Group D by a point but Falkirk hold a game in hand. Here are three things we learned from this match.
Calm Newell
The midfielder was a key man in all four Hibs goals, scoring two of them and playing a major role in Henderson's first and second.
He responded well to an error to lash home a shot early doors and his pass into his midfield partner allowed the Hibees to double their lead.
An instant response could have stung them but Newell again was the calmest man in the ground, dancing through a crowd to restore a two-goal cushion. He then teed up Henderson again for a fine finish mere minutes from full-time.
First impression
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Momodou Bojang has had to wait a while for his Scottish football debut because of work permit issues following his transfer on loan from Rainbow FC.
He was introduced off the bench against lower league opposition and showed some confident touches and turns of pace in his cameo appearance.
Getting him up to speed with Premiership kick-off coming against St Johnstone in less than a fortnight's time will be key for Johnson and his staff.
The wait goes on
While Bojang's work permit paperwork is solved, that can't be said for Jair Tavares, Ellie Youan or Marijan Cabraja.
The three summer recruits from Benfica, St Gallen and Dinamo Zagreb have all yet to be granted the necessary clearance to take part in competitive matches for the Easter Road club.
Cabraja only signed this week but Tavares and Youan face missing the entire League Cup group stages due to their respective paperwork not yet sealed.
READ NEXT:
- Hibs in transfer coup as they beat Premier League clubs to Reuben McCallister signing
- Hibs hand five promising young stars first pro deals as Steve Kean lays down challenge
- Hibs new boy Momodou Bojang reveals details of Lee Johnson chat that sold him on Easter Road move
- Joe Newell in 'not good enough' Hibs verdict as he hopes Falkirk loss was a 'little blip'
