The arrival of Alan Gow has provided John Hughes with a few more options, given the versatility of a player that is well used to playing pretty much anywhere along the midfield line or as an out and out striker. And the former Falkirk player demonstrated just a little of that flexibility in his game when he was introduced to the home support at Easter Road on Saturday, Gow adding an extra dimension to the Hibernian line-up alongside fellow substitutes Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun that produced the two goals that put a more emphatic look to the final score against Montrose.

Gow admitted in his own post-match summary that he had a bit to go in terms of match fitness - but will be catching up fast with his new side facing a busy schedule over the next few weeks. Not that he will be taking a place in the side for granted - far from it: "There is a lot of competition for places here but I know a lot of the boys from playing against them. I know that I will need to work hard as I still have a wee bit to go in terms of match fitness - I had not played for a few weeks. But I think I will possess attributes that others don't have because everyone is different in a good way. It was great to score on my debut and there was a lot of good finishes on Saturday - especially Deeks - and you can see there is a lot of quality in this side. I know that I have to keep working hard and that I need to try and the aim is to get as many starts as I can between now and the end of the season."

Alan has found it a lot easier to settle at his new club with so many familiar faces in the dressing room - and he is already enjoying training again under John Hughes and Brian Rice: "It is exactly the same way we used to play at Falkirk - even the training as well is the same - it's all about concentrating, passing and moving the ball quickly and that suits me to play that. So it has been great so far - I only drove up on Tuesday and managed to train on Thursday with the boys all being off on Wednesday, and I was given a great reception so it has not been difficult to settle in.

"The desire and quality is clear at Hibernian, you just take one game at a time of course but I can see that the supporters, players and management all want to go as far as they can in the Scottish Cup and league - hopefully we'll get another break in the cup draw on Wednesday and take it further from there. Saturday was always a test for us, I've played with lower-league teams before against top clubs so know just what it was like for them. It was there biggest game of the season so they have come to Easter Road and given it all they have - but we were professional and ensured we got the victory."

Gow is now hoping he can follow up his debut appearance with a return to the SPL on Wednesday when Aberdeen visit Easter Road - the Dons on the back of a tough cup tie of their own against Raith Rovers at Starks Park: "That was a hard game for Aberdeen to go away to Raith Rovers but they are still in the competition - we will have to be prepared because they will come here and work hard and try and take something from the game, they will be looking to close the gap in the league table. We will need to be ready but we will be prepared to take all three points, the manager would never allow it to be any other way."

Pics: Alan Rennie for Hibernian TV