Hibernian 0-2 Inverness CT

Inverness showed Terry Butcher what he will be missing should he switch to Hibernian as they eased to victory over his prospective charges.

With Butcher in the stand and expected to move to Hibs on Monday, Nick Ross gave Caley Thistle the lead after only 14 minutes from the penalty spot.

Hibs went further behind four minutes later when Billy McKay rounded keeper Ben Williams.

And Inverness eased to a win that means they move into second spot.

Nicholl showed his disappointment as Hibs faced defeat by Caley Thistle

Hibs caretaker Jimmy Nicholl told BBC Scotland shortly before kick-off that, should Butcher be the new manager, this was an ideal opportunity for the home players to prove their worth.

But they failed to grab the opportunity with the kind of insipid display that led to Pat Fenlon's departure from Easter Road.

As a clinical and classy Caley Thistle leapfrogged Aberdeen in the Premiership table, Hibs were suffering their fourth defeat in a row and are now without a win from their last five games.

Inverness, with assistant manager Maurice Malpas in charge, had gone into the game unbeaten in five games against the Edinburgh side.

Caley Thistle, however, looked like they were determined not only to donate their manager but a goal to Hibs as three early back-passes put goalkeeper Dean Brill under pressure.

Hibs looked equally ill-at-ease with the unusual circumstances of having a manager with a foot in both camps in the stand and presented the visitors with the opening goal.

Striker Collins, who had replaced suspended midfielder Liam Craig in the starting line-up, gave the outstanding Graeme Shinnie a British Bulldogs shove in the back as the Inverness full-back broke into the penalty box.

Ben Williams has shown his prowess at saving penalties since joining Hibs, but this time the goalkeeper could only get the slightest of touches on Ross's spot kick.

Looking dazed, Hibs went further behind four minutes later when Shinnie, after another fine run and one-two, set up McKay and the in-form striker sped past Williams to score.

Hibs' defence was all at sea and Alan Maybury was close to an own goal when he slid in to intercept an Aaron Doran cross and directed it against the inside of a post.

Shinnie sent a powerful effort wide from 20 yards and Williams denied McKay a second goal when his heel diverted the striker's low drive wide.

Hibs defender Jordan Foster sent a header wide from a corner, but high balls into the box were all the home side had to offer with attacking ideas in short supply.

A chorus of boos having greeted his side at the half-time whistle, Nicholl hauled off Tom Taiwo and Ryan McGivern during the break and replaced them with Rowan Vine and Abdellah Zoubir.

Although that led to some extra pressure being exerted on the Caley Thistle defence, Hibs' revival soon petered out.

Inverness were content to threaten on the break and play out an efficient victory that will emphasise the rebuilding job Butcher faces should he make the switch to Leith.