Moroccan flavour adds spice as Hibs kick-start season

Hibernian picked up only their second win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice Park yesterday. And Kevin Thomson, the Edinburgh club's captain, hopes the result will act as the springboard for their campaign ahead of the visit of Rangers next week.

"We were a bit poor in the first half," he said. "In recent weeks it's been the opposite - good in the first half and poor in the second half.

"We're just delighted to get the three points and hopefully that kick-starts our season and sets us up for a big game next week."

Dundee United's player-manager Craig Brewster felt his side were denied a penalty in the first half when Rob Jones appeared to foul Noel Hunt in the box.

He said: "Did we have a shout for a penalty in the first half? These are the decisions which can go against you and they went against us today." But he admitted United did not deserve anything from the game.

Hibernian manager Tony Mowbray singled out Moroccan duo Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun for praise saying: "That's why we spend so much time preparing work permits and watching them in training for weeks and weeks."

Goals from Chris Killen, Dean Shiels and Ivan Sproule brought Hibs the much-needed victory.