STEVIE MALLAN is adamant those sides above Hibernian in the race for Europe will be casting nervous glances over their shoulders as the capital club continue their rampant form.
The Paul Heckingbottom honeymoon period continued last Friday night when goals from Paul Hanlon and Mallan proved enough to see off a stubborn Livingston side 2-1.
The Englishman has taken 16 points from a possible 18 since succeeding Neil Lennon as head coach at Easter Road.
It has been a remarkable turnaround given the Hibees had won just two of their previous 14 league matches when Lennon was initially suspended prior to their trip to St Mirren in January.
At that point, they were eighth in the Premiership and seven points adrift of the . Now, given their vastly superior goal difference to seventh-placed Motherwell, a draw against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night would effectively be enough to guarantee a top-half finish this term.
Mallan, however, has loftier goals.
“I think we are at a point now where we can look around us and see where we are in the league. We can look at the next place, then the next place,” said Mallan.
“People will be looking at us now and see that we’re coming.
“When the new manager came in, our aim was to make top six and I think a lot of people wrote us off because of the way we were playing; maybe understandably so.
“But we are unbeaten in the league since the gaffer came in and that was exactly what we needed and we are now chasing down the teams above us. We’ve come out of nowhere and it underlines what we are doing well as a club and all the hard work we have put in.”
A triumph over Steve Clarke’s Killie at Easter Road would see Hibs move to within just three points of the Ayrshire outfit, who currently occupy spot. Heckingbottom then takes his charges to Tynecastle on Saturday for a mouth-watering Edinburgh derby.
“The next two games are both six-pointers,” continued Mallan. “It just makes it that bit more important that we go out and win.
“We are in form and we know we can beat anyone with the way we’ve been playing. We could not be in a better place right now.”
That assessment also applies to Mallan, who was back to his sparkling best in the second half against Livingston.
After a turgid first period from all involved, the former St Mirren playmaker was the game-changer after the break, setting up the opening goal for Hanlon with a wicked corner-kick before notching a magnificent solo strike to secure the points.
Ryan Hardie’s late converted penalty ensured a nervous finale but was ultimately moot.
It was a welcome return to form for , who now boasts a laudable 11 goals for the campaign but continues to strive for perfection.
“I’ve wanted to do a bit better this season, although I might just be my own biggest critic,” he smiled.
“I feel like, with the chances I’ve had through the season, I could have more goals. But I won’t grumble too much about my stats.
Relief
“My first season at Hibs has exceeded my expectations and there is still plenty of time left in the season to improve further.
“I’ve been kicking myself at points this season when my performances have taken a little dip, but both managers I have worked under have been on my case and demanding me to up my game. It’s down to me, if I keep my standards high then it will help the team.
“It was just a relief to be back on the scoresheet and it adds another one to my tally. I always want to keep scoring and setting up goals. I was pleased with my performance.”
