SNS GroupHibernian head coach David Gray was happy to make an exception by singling out Josh Mulligan for his “outstanding” display against Falkirk.
Mulligan’s all-action performance helped set the tone for a comfortable 3-0 win as Hibs returned to winning ways following back-to-back defeats.
The former Dundee midfielder was involved in the opening two goals in the first half and drew fouls that led to three Falkirk players picking up bookings.
Such was the level of the 23-year-old’s performance that he even pipped Kieron Bowie, who scored twice, to the man-of-the-match award.
Gray said: “I don’t like singling people out.
“But for what I asked the players to do at the start of the game and trying to get on the front foot, I think Josh Mulligan certainly led by example on that front.
“I thought he was outstanding actually in the first half.
“His power, his intensity, his aggression with and without the ball. He gets an assist on his through-ball to the penalty and then plays in Kieron.
“He’s definitely playing at a very high level.”
Mulligan played his part in the breakthrough after 36 minutes when his pass picked out Martin Boyle in the box before the forward was tripped by Filip Lissah.
Boyle sent his spot-kick straight down the middle.
Former Scotland Under-21 international Mulligan then picked out Bowie in the area and the striker curled a stunning effort into the far corner.
Falkirk improved after the interval, but Hibs made sure of the three points when Bowie tucked away Josh Campbell’s lay-off from close range in the 80th minute.
Bairns manager John McGlynn said he could take encouragement from his team’s second-half showing.
Falkirk thought they had got themselves back into the game when Ethan Ross scored in the 64th minute, but VAR ruled he was offside.
McGlynn said: “We were on top in the second half and I believe that, if the goal is allowed rather than being disallowed, then 2-1 is game on.
“We were the better team in the second half, full stop. We were a team very much in the ascendancy and it’s a really good goal.
“When I look at my monitor, which doesn’t have lines, it looks like it’s onside.
“Obviously VAR is there to make sure these things are right. I think that would have given us a great lift, having played so well in the second half.
“It may well have made Hibs a little bit more edgy and led to a little more anxiety, which would have transmitted from the stadium.
“It wasn’t to be and we gave it a go.”
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