Jake Doyle-Hayes insists Hibs can catch Hearts as midfielder reveals inspiration behind stunning Ross County strike

Jake Doyle-Hayes admits he might have to book his fan club a return trip after 27 mates made the trek across the Irish Sea to inspire him to double his career goals tally.

The midfielder from County Cavan couldn’t have picked a better moment to net his best ever strike with his pals from the Emerald Isle in the stands to witness his gem against Ross County.

Having netted just twice in his previous 103 career games - and never for Hibs - the midfielder struck twice in the space of 28 second half minutes.

The first opened his account for Hibs at the 34th time of asking and raised eyebrows around Easter Road. His second - a stunning chest and volley effort from 25 yards - almost took the roof off the stands.

You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket and the midfielder hit the jackpot as Shaun Maloney ’s side won for the first time in six top flight fixtures.

The 2-0 victory thrusts the Hibees into the top four and cuts the gap on capital rivals Hearts to nine points.

And Doyle-Hayes insists the Easter Road side won’t give up on trying to catch the stuttering Jambos with 11 games remaining.

He said: “I don’t think it would be too hard to say they were the best goals of my career, I haven’t got that many!

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