The Gow Factor

New Hibs striker Alan Gow did not expect to have any problems getting used to how his new side plays. He has played under manager John Hughes before and Gow was pleased to see that his football philosophy has not changed since their Falkirk days. The on-loan Plymouth forward enjoyed a two-year spell playing under Hughes at the Bairns before earning a move to Rangers. The striker capped his debut for the Leith side with the final goal in Saturday's 5-1 demolition of Irn-Bru Third Division basement side Montrose after coming off the bench in the Scottish Cup fifth-round tie. Gow flummoxed a host of Gable Endies players as he cut in from the left flank before firing a low shot into the net from close range. Hughes has recruited Gow to enhance Hibs' attempts to finish at least third in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and end their 108-year Scottish Cup drought, and the skilful attacker is confident he can make a telling contribution.

He said: "It's the exact same with the way we used to play at Falkirk, with the training as well. It's about concentrating on passing and moving the ball quick and it suits me playing that way. A lot of the clubs I've been at, I think I've scored on my debut so it's a good way to make the fans aware of what you are about. It's been great, I drove up on Monday and I managed to train on Thursday as the boys were off on Wednesday. I have had a good reception from all the boys as well. It was good to get a game and get a goal as well. I expected to get on at some point. I have probably got a wee bit to go into terms of my match fitness as I had not played in two weeks."

Hibs had one foot in the quarter-finals by half-time following Colin Nish's brace and the scoreline would have been more emphatic had it not been for former Easter Road shot-stopper Andy McNeil's inspired performance. Derek Riordan added a stunning third after the interval before Montrose's Chris Hegarty, son of Dundee United legend Paul, celebrated his moment of glory with a stinging 25-yard drive that beat Graeme Smith. Substitutes Abdessalam Benjelloun and Gow wrapped up the convincing victory with late strikes. Hughes illustrated the attacking options at his disposal as he brought on Benjelloun, Gow and Merouane Zemmama from the bench. However, debutant Gow insists he is not daunted by the fierce battle for starting berths. He added: "There is a lot competition so I just need to work hard although I am maybe different from them. Everyone has their own style and is good in different ways. I have seen them play on television before but they are a good side with quality players, especially in attacking areas. It was quite a strong attacking bench, we were lucky no defenders got injured."