Hibernian head coach David Gray was delighted to see Kieron Bowie end his goal drought as his team ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Dundee.
Bowie, who has had to deal with the disappointment of being omitted from the Scotland squad that sealed World Cup qualification on a memorable night at Hampden, broke the deadlock with a well-taken finish in the first half.
The 23-year-old then teed up Jamie McGrath to net the second in the 59th minute as Hibs remained third in the Premiership table on goal difference ahead of Rangers.
Bowie had failed to score in his previous nine outings and it looked like his frustration would continue after missing a gilt-edged chance just moments before breaking the deadlock.
However, Gray insists he was never overly worried about Bowie’s struggles in front of goal.
He said: “Strikers get confidence from scoring goals clearly, but I’ve had a lot of conversations with Kieran recently about what he actually does for the team.
“It’s not just scoring goals, I know that’s what they get judged on but the rest of the players certainly benefit from unselfish work he does for the team.
“That will definitely do his confidence a world of good as well.
“Especially as the chance he actually takes is a really difficult one. He creates it himself, a great touch and finish.
“It was off the back a disappointing chance that he missed.
“He is still young. He’s 23 years old.
“And performances like today is what he needs to put in as regularly as he can. Scoring goals, affecting the game.
“And for all the young players in Scotland, it’s something that there is the carrot now of what could potentially be at the end of the season if you’re doing well for your clubs with the World Cup coming up.
“He’ll certainly benefit from that.
“He’s a really hard-working, humble boy that knows he’s got a long way to go and a long journey ahead to try and even think about that next step for him.”
Hibs dominated for long spells but had goalkeeper Rafa Sallinger to thank for a clean sheet after the Austrian denied Tony Yogane and Clark Robertson with two big saves at the end.
Dundee manager Steven Pressley, whose team remain one point clear of basement outfit Livingston, said: “I saw some good improvements in our performance today.
“There’s context that Hibs are way ahead of us in terms of our development as a team.
“But I thought we were brave today.
“First half I thought we took too many touches in possession but second half we were much more effective.
“I saw improvements and I think the team can take a lot of confidence from that.
“We know that ultimately we need to win games of football – that’s how you’re going to be judged.”
