TAM McMANUS

YOUR VOICE OF THE HIBEES EVERY WEEK IN RECORD SPORT

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THIBAULT KLIDJE is learning the language and it’s a sigh of relief that's coming from the mouths of happy Hibs fans.

The Togo striker is starting to talk the talk off the park and, on the pitch, I reckon he’s now shown he can stay in the team.

Against Livingston last weekend, Klidje was superb and a key player in the team's best performance of the season. Start to finish, it was dominant from Hibs and the record signing led the line brilliantly.

It must be said, I feel David Gray has handled the boy's introduction into our game really well.

When Klidje arrived, with the spend being over £1million, it's natural the fans were shouting for him to start games.

However, I just don't think he was ready, acclimatised to Scottish football yet, or settled in. To that extent, Gray has nursed him into the side.

Talk about patience being rewarded because Klidje was absolutely magnificent against Livi. He really tore David Martindale’ defence apart with his movement and his pace.

Klidje scored a great goal, obviously. Cutting inside and putting it in the roof of the net with a clinical and powerful finish - and then he was really sharp to win a penalty.

Throughout his whole game, he was a thorn in the Livi side and, as well as the speed and running, he held the ball up as well with a good touch.