Read the manager's press conference after today's 3-1 win over Hibs.

How pleasing was that today?

The mentality of the group was absolutely fantastic because the preparation couldn’t have been any worse. We lost Alfredo and Glen in training, Rabbi was on the bench but unable to come on. Scott Wright we lost overnight, Arfield came on but was playing through a problem. Coming to the game and knowing Hibs’ form I thought it might be interesting because we probably had 12 unavailable. The mentality of the starting team was outstanding and I thought we were clearly the better team. Hibs are fighting for a European place but you didn’t feel that in the game and I thought we were comfortable throughout, certainly after James’ free-kick. On his 400th game it’s a fantastic moment for him, Ianis’ first goal in 15 months. For what he’s been through I am delighted and then Todd. We were dominant in terms of the ball but I thought John Souttar was absolutely outstanding.

A lot to build on in that showing?

We had no Helander, Davies, Goldson, or Barisic in the backline, then no Davis, Lawrence, Roofe, Tillman, Kent, Morelos, Colak. For us to put out a team like we did today shows strength in depth. There were only a couple of moments on counterattacks but we were happy to defend that two-vs-two because we backed ourselves to create and score. Fashion, Hagi and Cantwell were a constant threat while the midfield and centre-halves were good.

What about John Souttar?

He is an excellent football player. The most important thing for him now is getting through this week, getting a good off-season and coming back strong after a good pre-season, he’s not been able to have one for a while. A mention for Leon who had a huge experience in the first half of the season. Football was a little bit harsh even if he was living his dream. Today to come in for his first start in months, I thought he did really well. He’s starting to show nice aggression to his game, not only being a nice technical centre-half.

How is Connor Goldson?

He will be out for about 10 weeks. He had a funny land on his foot with a couple of minutes to go last week and wanted to play on. After we’ve had it scanned and seen a specialist. He will probably be six weeks to stay off it and then a four/five-week rehab back into next season. All going well, he’ll be available for the first game of next season, albeit he might have a slightly modified pre-season compared to others. This season seems to be the worst ever with injuries for the club, certainly in my time associated. Let’s hope that’s out the way and next season we get a clean bill of health.

Does that leave the Champions League qualifiers touch and go?

We will look to strengthen every area in the summer with new faces to contribute and you saw today with the two boys, I was delighted. The big thing for me is that the mentality has been good with key players stepping up. Todd is standing up for the team and there’s real clarity in how we are playing. No doubt come the summer we will be in a stronger position squad-wise with more clarity after a good pre-season.

What did that mean for Hagi?

Ianis is a boy that’s so professional and works so hard and football is his life. When that’s taken away it’s really cruel, living away from family and what not. There was some dark days but the rehab team and physio did a great job to get him back. First half he was slow in moments but once he got the goal it brought him to life again, he’s still trying to get his fitness back at this level. Delighted for him, you can see he is a well-liked player from the group. He’s a player that again, next season you’d expect a lot more from.

How is Nico Raskin?

Nice is fine, it was a strange one, a clash of knees, it’s touched a nerve. He wanted to continue but once he put weight on it he knew right away he couldn’t. let’s hope he’s ok because I thought the midfield three worked really well, it certainly gives Todd and Ianis a real platform to play. The one disappointing thing is conceding late on given the preparation and players we had missing, I’ll take that.