James Collins believes Hibernian’s last-gasp leveller against Partick shows the “never say die” mentality new manager Terry Butcher has brought to the club.
The former Aston Villa player felt that under previous boss Pat Fenlon there is every chance the Hibees would have surrendered all three points after Kris Doolan’s opener for the visitors.
But, while the Edinburgh club were far from fluent, they showed the requisite spirit and determination to rescue a draw in the dying moments, with Collins hitting home from close range.
“Sometimes things have to change, and things have changed here. The new mentality is a ‘never say die’ attitude,” he said.
Meanwhile, Doolan admits conceding a late equaliser diminished the joy of netting one of the finest goals of his career.
The 27-year-old opened the scoring in scintillating fashion, picking the ball up just inside the Hibs half, and dancing past challenges from Jordon Forster and Paul Hanlon before clipping the ball over Ben Williams.
“It was right up there with the best I have ever scored,” he said. “When it comes from so far out … it has to go up there with my favourites.”
Elsewhere, Kris Boyd scored one and made one to see Kilmarnock triumph 2-1 over Ross County.
The striker’s seventh-minute delivery across the face of goal fell to Chris Johnston at the back post and he smashed the ball low into the far corner of the net.
Boyd scored the winner after Stuart Kettlewell had replied for the hosts.
John Hughes’ first game as Inverness boss ended in stalemate as the Highlanders were held to a 0-0 draw by St Mirren in Paisley.