Dundee 1-2 Hibernian: Kieron Bowie hits double as Hibs add to Steven Pressley’s woes.

Report as Hibernian win 2-1 at Dundee in their Scottish Premiership opener; Kieron Dowie scored twice for the visitors in the first half; Finlay Robertson scored for Dundee, who endure more pain after a humiliating Premier Sports Cup group-stage exit.

Kieron Bowie scored twice in the first half as Hibernian defeated new Dundee manager Steven Pressley 2-1 at Dens Park in their Scottish Premiership opener.

The Scotland forward scored twice in three minutes, giving the Easter Road side the lead.

Dundee, hoping to instill some optimism after a demoralising Premier Sports Cup group-stage exit that included defeats by lower-league sides Airdrie and Alloa, responded quickly through Finlay Robertson. However, Hibs, who arrived on Tayside after a gruelling 120-minute Europa League match against Midtjylland on Thursday, were able to see out the second half comfortably.

Pressley, whose appointment in June was widely regarded as underwhelming by supporters even before their cup defeat, named four summer signings to his starting XI, but talismanic captain Simon Murray was sidelined due to injury.

Despite having another testing European fixture away to Partizan Belgrade in the Conference League on Thursday, Hibs manager David Grey made only one change to the side that began the agonising extra-time defeat by Midtjylland. The Easter Road side dominated the early exchanges and scored with their first clear opportunity in the 28th minute.

Dundee got themselves in a mess trying to deal with a Jordan Obita cross into the box, and the ball fell kindly to Bowie, who drilled a low angled finish past Jon McCracken from 10 yards out.

Three minutes later, Bowie strikes again. Jack Iredale’s ball over the top released Obita, who drove into the box but was denied by McCracken, only for Bowie to follow up and score the rebound from the same position as his first goal.

Dundee were given a way back into the game in the 36th minute when Iredale slipped, allowing Ashley Hay to dispossess him and cut the ball back for Robertson, who scored from just outside the six-yard box.

In the 59th minute, Dee defender Luke Graham failed to connect with a tantalising inswinging delivery from the left.

However, Hibs appeared to be the more likely side to extend their lead in the final half-hour, with substitute Josh Campbell seeing a header brilliantly saved by McCracken before the midfielder threatened with another couple of attempts after being picked out by fellow substitute Jamie McGrath’s corners.

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