Hibernian 4-0 Livingston: Thibault Klidje impresses as Easter Road side move up to third in Scottish Premiership

Record signing Thibault Klidje shone as Hibernian climbed up to third in the Premiership following an emphatic 4-0 win over Livingston at Easter Road.

The Togo international opened the scoring with a fine effort after only nine minutes and then won the second-half penalty which was converted by Jamie McGrath.

Junior Hoilett climbed off the bench to grab a brace late on as Hibs snapped a six-game winless league run in style.

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The Leith side dominated most of the match and were deserved winners as they bounced back from the derby disappointment against Hearts.

Hibs manager David Gray handed only a third start to Klidje, with Martin Boyle dropping to the bench following his travels with Australia during the international break.

Klidje did not take long to make his mark after breaking the deadlock inside nine minutes.

After taking in Dan Barlaser's pass on the edge of the box, Klidje showed great skill to spin away from Mo Sylla.

The angle was against him as he bore down on goal but Klidje showed good composure to drive a shot high into the net.

The Lions tried to respond immediately and had a good chance when Daniel Finlayson found the unmarked Mahamadou Susoho in the box but the midfielder's half-volley from 12 yards sailed wide.

Hibs continued to look most threatening for the remainder of the first half and it was Klidje who was in the thick of the action.

A deflected Barlaser pass fell kindly into his path but he did not make proper contact and goalkeeper Jerome Prior made a comfortable save.

Hibs striker Kieron Bowie then fired a half-volley just wide from a poor defensive header from Sylla before Klidje pounced on a Danny Wilson error to race clear.

But again Klidje was disappointed with his effort after dragging a shot wide.

The forward then turned provider with a threaded pass that set up Nicky Cadden but the winger fired a first-time shot over from inside the box.

Hibs stepped it up a gear after the interval as they looked for a second goal.

McGrath had a volley tipped over before Bowie also had a first-time shot pushed over the bar by Prior.

But Hibs got their two-goal cushion from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute when McGrath sent Prior the wrong way.

Referee Ryan Lee had no option but to point to the spot after substitute Cristian Montano blatantly tugged on Klidje's jersey.

Hoilett added further gloss to the scoreline with a double.

The Canadian international glanced home a Chris Cadden's cross in the 79th minute.

The same pair combined again in the 89th minute with Hoilett slamming a shot high into the net from inside the box.

'Klidje's patience paid off'

Hibernian manager David Gray post-match:

"I'm delighted for Thibault. He's had to be patient to get another start, and he's been restricted to a few appearances from the bench, but he certainly took his opportunity, which is great to see.

"There's always expectations, you can't do anything about what people pay for you and that's just the nature of the world at the moment.

"There's a settling in process, not expecting too much, being patient with him.

"He played against Livingston the last time and he was a threat the same way, running in behind.

"He always looks to be on the last line, on the last shoulder, and the game plan we put in place was to try and exploit that space in behind, which he's done really well.

"I'm delighted for him, strikers want to score goals so that's something that will do him the world of good."

'Hibs punished us'

Livingston manager Davie Martindale post-match:

"Hibs really punished us for our own mistakes. It's a harsh reminder of how difficult the Premiership is now.

"Add to that Danny had an injection last week in his knee and struggled a bit with it.

"Danny being Danny, he would never tell me he's sore so I made that decision for him.

"Danny would play every single minute of every single game with niggles, with knocks, with injuries, if you let him. He said he was okay but I could see in his movements that he wasn't himself.

"Shane Blaney came off with a muscle and Adam Montgomery was also a muscle injury, which is not ideal. I thought Adam was probably our best player.

"Connor McLennan took a head knock. At half-time, I was speaking to him and I wasn't overly sure he was giving me the answers I was looking for.

"I asked the doc and physio to have a look. He was a concussion sub. It's not ideal and plays a part in the game as well."

What's coming up in the Scottish Premiership?

• Hibernian fixtures
• Livingston fixtures

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