LiveLivingston 0-3 Hibs: Visitors in dreamland with three-goal lead at half-time
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Christian Doidge and Efe Ambrose battle for the ball during the last meeting between Hibs and Livingston
We’ll have the latest team news, snap reaction, and more from West Lothian as Jack Ross leads Hibs into the second game of the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership season.
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The Tony Macaroni Arena hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Easter Road side in recent seasons but the Capital club will hope to rectify that in this meeting – the closest thing to a league derby for the visitors.
Follow all the action below…
Last updated: Saturday, 08 August, 2020, 16:38
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Melker Hallberg enters the fray with Daryl Horgan going off. Looks like the Irishman took a knock as he tried to create a chance on the left.
Scott Tiffoney replaces Scott Robinson as the hosts make their third change of the game.
Boyle breaks and tries to square it for Nisbet but the Livingston defence cuts the ball out before it reaches its destination. That was a huge chance for Hibs to put this game out of sight.
Horgan receives the ball from Boyle and tries to squeeze the ball in at the near post but McCrorie is equal to it and puts it behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.
Hibs have looked a bit rocky since conceding, losing their shape a bit, and Livingston have obviously taken heart from reducing the deficit. There are options available to Jack Ross if he wants to shake things up, as he did last week to good effect. Fraser Murray, Jamie Gullan, or Scott Allan could all refresh things in the attacking third while the experience of cup-winning trio Gray, McGregor, and Stevenson could also be called upon if necessary. In midfield, Melker Hallberg or Ben Stirling could bring some fresh energy. No sign of any activity on the bench just yet though.
Confusion in the Hibs ranks as referee Euan Anderson awards a spot-kick. Porteous is booked but it looked like Hanlon who tangled with an opponent. Dykes sends Marciano the wrong way to give Livi a glimmer of hope. Livingston 1, Hibs 3.
Bartley booked for a challenge several weeks late on former team-mate Paul Hanlon… the Livi captain possibly lucky not to get worse than a yellow as he gets some treatment on his ankle.
Doidge lays it off to Boyle but the Australian international’s shot is deflected out for a corner
The teams are back out, no changes for Hibs but Livingston have made two changes – Poplatnik and Forrest on for Devlin and Sibbald
Half-time player ratings…
After a flat opening 20 minutes, Hibs appear to have woken up, and how! Horgan is causing Livi all sorts of problems down the left, setting up Nisbet twice for the summer signing’s first goals in green and white, and Doidge got in on the act shortly before half-time after a good old fashioned stramash in the box. Livingston 0, Hibs 3!
The floodgates have opened! A stramash in the box, possible shouts for a penalty, and Doidge bundles the ball in from close range! Livingston 0, Hibs 3!
It’s a second goal for Hibs, and a second goal for Nisbet! Horgan whips the ball in from the left and Nisbet outjumps the two centre-backs and his header drops into the goal via the post. Livingston 0, Hibs 2!
Hibs take the lead with around 25 minutes played, and Kevin Nisbet opens his account! Great ball across the six yard box from Horgan and Nisbet smashes the ball in from close range. Livingston 0, Hibs 1!
Mark Atkinson’s thoughts
Hibs much the better team here. Livingston assistant manager David Martindale on the brink of exploding with anger due to the performance of his players. His industrial words are piercing the West Lothian air…!