There was a difference of around 20C between Dumbarton and Dubai yesterday. Kris Commons, previously Celtic’s talisman, could have been relaxing on their winter break in the latter location, but has fallen so far from the picture since Brendan Rodgers took control that he could instead be found on the chilly banks of the Clyde estuary helping Hibs and Neil Lennon, his former manager, in their attempt to climb from the Championship back into the top tier.
Commons’ contribution, on the final day of a loan that Lennon would now like to extend to the remainder of the season, was a sharply taken goal after 14 minutes. His crisp half-volley as Chris Humphrey’s cross deflected off the head of Darren Barr to him reeked of the quality that might also attract other offers this month.
“I need to speak to Celtic first and foremost and then options will probably come along,” said the 33-year-old afterwards. “It’s about sitting down with the right people and finding out what my next move is.”
His goal maintained Hibs’ momentum after last weekend’s 3-0 win over Dundee United. With United dropping another two points yesterday, it puts Hibs six points clear of their closest rivals for automatic promotion and felt like a significant step towards regaining their Premiership status at the third time of asking.
“It was important regardless of the other results,” said Lennon. “It gives us a bit of breathing space.” It was a game that he was wary of beforehand, despite the success against United, as Dumbarton have often proved awkward opponents for bigger clubs as they cling proudly to their own Championship place.
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Stephen Aitken, their astute boss, was named December’s manager of the month last week in recognition of their recent form. A reminder of the resources he works with was that they named only four substitutes of the permitted six, but they deserved a draw yesterday and would have had it if Christian Nade had taken a late chance. “We did deserve something today,” said Aitken. “I don’t think anybody will question that.”
The first hurdle for Hibs was the weather, but Dumbarton’s pitch was in decent nick considering last week’s freeze and the snow still to be seen on the surrounding hills. The home side started strongly on it, with Mark Docherty’s shot being frantically charged down after Garry Fleming teed him up in Hibs box.
They came again after Commons’ strike, with only a splendid saving tackle from David Gray denying Robert Thomson when some delicate approach work from Lewis Vaughan carved the opening for his colleague. Vaughan could have shot instead and elected to do so with his next opportunity, drawing a decent save from Ross Laidlaw.
Hibs started the second half with a clear determination to put the outcome beyond doubt as quickly as they could. Lewis Stevenson’s sortie forward from left-back ended with a shot that Martin could only push out towards Humphrey, but the winger pulled his finish wide of the far post. Then Martin Boyle cut in from the left to test Dumbarton’s goalkeeper with another low shot.
Dumbarton remained in the game. Headers from Thomson and Gregor Buchanan went straight into Laidlaw’s gloves from promising positions inside Hibs’ box and the keeper then distinguished himself by diving at Vaughan’s feet after Dumbarton’s best player, and arguably the game’s, wriggled through. “I thought he was different class, outstanding,” added Aitken, of the 21-year-old.
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“When he became available at Raith Rovers we stepped in. That’s his first start and I thought he was very creative, the best man on the park. He’s got a great future ahead of him.”
Garry Fleming’s looping volley was then cleared from his own line by Gray as Hibs held out and Lennon decided reinforcements were required for the final 20 minutes, sending on John McGinn and Grant Holt for Humphrey and Jason Cummings. Dumbarton, meanwhile, pushed on Nade to provide their attacks with a fresh focal point. The travelling support were clearly delighted to see the former Hearts striker introduced, although he might have immediately silenced their taunts had he stabbed in at the near post after Andrew Stirling’s storming run down Dumbarton’s left.
Commons came off as Lennon started to close up for the day, although the final 10 minutes would have been less fraught had Boyle managed to finish an opportunity created by Holt’s nous. Instead, Hibs and their supporters had to survive a final scare when Stirling cut in from the left and fired a shot at the far post that became a pass when Nade arrived late to meet it, but the big striker could not turn it home and into the equaliser that Dumbarton craved and deserved. The roar from the visiting fans which greeted his failure to do so was then surpassed by the one from them that followed final whistle.
Star man: Lewis Vaughan (Dumbarton)
Dumbarton: Martin 7, Smith 5, Barr 7, Buchanan 7, Harvie 6, Thomson 5 (Nade 69min, 5), Carswell 6 (Lang 86min, 5), Docherty 6, Stirling 6, Vaughan 8, Fleming 6
Hibernian: Laidlaw 7, Gray 7, McGregor 7, Fontaine 6, Stevenson 7, Bartley 5, Fyvie 6, Humphrey 6 (McGinn 70min, 6), Commons 7 (Forster 80min, 6), Boyle 6, Cummings 5 (Holt 70min, 7)