Three takeaways from Hibs' 2-1 win over Kilmarnock

Jackson thrives

Adam Jackson is fast emerging as a key player for Jack Ross's team. The jury was out on the Englishman in his early months at Easter Road but he is now performing at a consistently high level. After strong performances at Fir Park and Ibrox recently, he has been excellent in the last two games against Ross County and Kilmarnock, chipping in with goals in both matches. At Rugby Park, he was a commanding presence at the centre of Hibs' back three, always in the right place to snuff out danger as the hosts cranked up the pressure in search of an equaliser. Jackson looks to be following the lead of Christian Doidge and Joe Newell in terms of banishing a difficult start to his Hibs career under Paul Heckingbottom.

Back three

Hibs had looked vulnerable defensively for most of the season while playing a back four under both Paul Heckingbottom and Jack Ross. With the regular concession of goals undermining their relatively impressive attacking play, something had to change. For the Scottish Cup match at BSC Glasgow, Ross switched to three at the back - a formation that served the team well during their fruitful period under Alan Stubbs and Neil Lennon. The back three against BSC featured two full-backs - Paul McGinn and Lewis Stevenson - and it didn't quite have the desired effect. In the last two league matches, however, Hibs have played a back three with two bona fide centre-backs - Jackson and Paul Hanlon - alongside McGinn, a right-back who is comfortable tucking in to playing more centrally. The new approach has resulted in back-to-back Premiership wins with only one goal conceded and Hibs generally looking far more assured defensively.

Europe in sight

This game was primarily about Hibs keeping their main rivals for a top-six berth at bay and, in that regard, the victory took them four points clear of seventh-place Kilmarnock. However, on a weekend when Motherwell were idle and Aberdeen and Livingston were defeated, the Easter Road side were also able to move within five points of third place. When Jack Ross took over in November, Hibs were in a relegation scrap and 12 points adrift of third place. The rise since then has been steady and sustained. Without being rampant, they certainly appear to be moving in a positive manner as the campaign moves towards its most critical phase. Qualifying for Europe now looks a genuine possibility.