BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – Capital City Press
Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs has praised striker Jason Cummings for proving that he is more than just a one-trick pony.
Stubbs insists the supporters are now beginning to see the benefit of Cummings practicing with his unfavoured right foot.
It was with that boot that the Scotland Under-21 internationalist set up Liam Henderson for the opening goal in last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Alloa after his shot was only parried by goalkeeper David Crawford.
Cummings also got on the scoresheet at the weekend with a left-footed effort to take his tally for the campaign to five, and Stubbs insists the 20-year-old is now becoming a more all-round marksman.
Stubbs, whose side travel to Livingston this weekend, said: “It’s something we have been speaking to him about and he is gaining confidence with it.
“I think over the last three weeks you’ve probably seen Jason use his right foot more than what he did for the whole of last season.
“We said to him that he was missing out on opportunities because he wanted to get the ball back on to his left foot, which sometimes you have the time to do.
“Sometimes it has to be instinctive and that’s what he’s started to do – and because he’s done it we’ve got a goal from it.”
Stubbs, meanwhile, has urged John McGinn to be more selfish in the final third after the midfielder scored his first goal for the Leith outfit against the Wasps.
Stubbs added: “When you see him, he should score more goals – he’s got a lovely left foot.
“He creates, the same with Liam Henderson, but I think sometimes you need to be more selfish and that’s what we speak to them about.”
Meanwhile, it is hoped that James Keatings will not be sidelined for any longer that two weeks after the striker aggravated a hamstring problem against Alloa.
A scan has confirmed that the former Hearts player has ‘stretched’ the scar tissue from the previous injury.
Stubbs added: “It’s just unfortunate there’s been a recurrence. James is important to the team but there’s no-one more frustrated than him. But that’s the reason why we have other strikers, it’s an opportunity for someone else.”
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