Hibs boss Neil Lennon: Martin Boyle was the difference against Partick Thistle

Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon thought Martin Boyle was “outstanding” in his side's 2-0 triumph over Partick Thistle.

Boyle, thriving in an unfamiliar wing-back berth, finally breached the Jags' stubborn resistance on Saturday when his explosive surge forward and pinpoint delivery teed up Jamie Maclaren to break the deadlock with 19 minutes left.

A Paul Hanlon header subsequently put the contest to bed as Thistle, who saw Daniel Devine sent off after receiving a second yellow card for hauling down Florian Kamberi after 86 minutes, slumped to an eighth match without victory in all competitions.

Hibs, meanwhile, could move to within one point of second-placed Rangers with a win over Hamilton on Tuesday night.

Lennon lauded: “The difference against Partick Thistle was Martin Boyle. He was outstanding, pace, quality and only he could have caught the ball and delivered that cross for the first goal. Up until then, the game could have gone either way.

“Now we look to Hamilton. It would be huge to get within one point of Rangers and Aberdeen if we won on Tuesday.

“All we can do is apply pressure on the teams above us.

“We are still looking up the table. Rangers dug out a good point in the end and Aberdeen had a great win.

“This the business end of the season and Aberdeen and Rangers are very, very strong teams - if we can get close to them we are doing very well.”

Thistle boss Alan Archibald praised his side's response after recovering from their meek 3-0 defeat against Hearts with a hugely improved showing at Easter Road.

And he has demanded a similar level of performance when the Jags face bottom side Ross County - three points below them - in a pivotal clash on Tuesday night.

He said: “We passed the ball well enough and had a cutting edge at the top end of the pitch.

“We moved the ball well for 45-60 minutes and frustrated Hibs when they were in possession. So, we got a reaction, which is all we looked for.

“We can't go up and down - like a decent performance against Aberdeen then a collapse against Hearts.

“A win on Tuesday would be huge because it would open up a gap so it would be massive."