How Hibs have become the most dangerous team in Scotland outwith the big two

Hibs fans certainly can’t complain about a lack of entertainment under Jack Ross, with the Easter Road side emerging as the most free-scoring in the Scottish Premiership outside the Old Firm since the manager’s arrival almost four months ago.

Friday night’s Scottish Cup victory over Inverness Caledonian Thisle provided a perfect example of what the Easter Road team are all about at present, with five goals - all scored by different players - and two goals conceded, simultaneously highlighting their attacking firepower and their lingering sense of vulnerability at the back.

As long as Hibs continue to win more than they lose, which they have been doing under Ross, then any concern about the number of goals conceded will be outweighed by a satisfaction at the way their team invariably penetrates and punishes opponents.

Hibs have scored 26 goals in 11 matches in all competitions since the winter break. Celtic, with 34 in 12 games, are the only other Premiership team to have scored more in this period. Ross’s side have scored at least two goals in eight of those 11 matches since the turn of the year, which is pretty impressive considering they have also missed three penalties in their last three home games.

For context, Aberdeen, currently above Hibs in the league, have scored only 12 goals in 11 games in all competitions since the winter break, while Rangers - second in the league - have scored 20 goals in 13 since the turn of the year.

Hibs are the top scorers in the Premiership outwith Celtic and Rangers, with 40 goals. Livingston have 39; Motherwell 36; Aberdeen 35. This stat is particularly impressive since they managed only 12 goals in their opening 11 games under Paul Heckingbottom. Their scoring rate since the Yorkshireman’s departure in early November has been notably better than every other non-Old Firm team.

Hibs’ potency owes plenty to the fact they have goal threats all over the pitch. In all competitions this season, 19 different players have scored for the Easter Road side, with Jamie Gullan and Stephane Omeonga becoming the latest players to add their names to this list. Celtic have also had 19 different scorers, while Rangers have had 18. Motherwell have had 17 scorers, while Aberdeen have had 15.

Impressively, Hibs have had nine different players who have contributed at least three goals in all competitions: Christian Doidge, Martin Boyle, Scott Allan, Marc McNulty, Greg Docherty, Stevie Mallan, Daryl Horgan, Adam Jackson and Florian Kamberi, who is currently on loan at Rangers.

Aberdeen, for instance, have only six players who have scored at least three, while Hearts have just five. Six Hibs players have scored at least two goals since the winter break alone, with David Gray, Paul McGinn, Steven Whittaker, Vykintas Slivka and Paul McGinn the only notable outfield players yet to score this term.

With so many players currently providing a goal threat, Hibs - still in the Scottish Cup and in the hunt for Europe - appear to have the artillery to finish the season with a flourish.