Lee Johnson applauds 'Grade A' Hibs as boss peels back the curtain on touch and go Martin Boyle decision

Lee Johnson hailed his Hibs players for burying their Escaldes nightmare with a six-goal supershow at Easter Road.

A quickfire double from Martin Boyle - back after nine months out with an ACL injury - paved the way for a 6-1 second leg victory. Josh Campbell also helped himself to a double while Christian Doidge and Elie Youan also got in on the act. The only concern for Johnson was losing two keepers to injury - with David Marshall injured in the warm up and his replacement Jojo Wollacott coming off with a thigh problem after only 18 minutes.

That meant untried Max Boruc was throw on for a debut. But Johnson said: “It was excellent. The boys went in with an A Grade attitude, we broke their spirit early which was key, and just had every man at it. It was a difficult game last week, we’ve taken a lot of stick but we never lost our belief and that showed in our performance.

“There was no edginess, the players were all confident, we played our way. We had to get on the front foot and disrupt their back four. That’s what we did in the end and that’s why they couldn’t handle us.

“I’m pleased for the players because it sets us up nicely going into the St Mirren game. It’s almost acted as a sharpener for that game as well as seeing us through a very important game.”

Johnson reserved praise for Boyle - and admitted he may have to delve into the transfer market to solve a potential goalkeeping headache ahead of Sunday’s league opener. He said: “It was needs must with Martin in one sense but he was also ready and passed all the physical markers on Tuesday. He has worked extremely hard and has deserved the minutes. He’s been champing at the bit.

“I believe in him and I believed he would (make an impact). I see him every day. I’ve