Hibernian "answered a lot of questions" after bouncing back from their midweek Midtyjlland heartbreak to pick up three points on the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership with a controlled victory at Dundee.

David Gray's side took the Danish outfit to extra time in Europa League qualifying on Thursday, only succumbing to a 119th-minute overhead kick. But they responded well to that disappointment at Dens.

Kieron Bowie scored with the first shot of the game, albeit it took until the 28th minute to come. Reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box, the youngster lashed low into the bottom corner.

Three minutes later, the Scotland striker had a second. Jordan Obita's shot was saved by Jon McCracken in the Dundee goal, but the ball sat kindly for Bowie to roll into an empty net from 10 yards.

It looked like Hibs were going to cruise it from there, as Steven Pressley - a manager under pressure already given Dundee's meek exit from the Premier Sports Cup group stages - watched on, frantically scribbling in his notebook.

He couldn't have masterminded Dundee's goal, which came from a Hibs slip up.

Jack Iredale lost his footing at the back, allowing Ashley Hay to nip into the box and cut back for Fin Robertson to sweep home.

Although that gave the hosts a lifeline, it always looked more likely that Hibs would score a third.

They should have had it, when Josh Campbell was picked out at the back post from a corner. Totally unmarked, four yards out, his header was straight at the keeper.

"It's all you can ask for, especially after the emotions of Thursday and everything the players put into that," Gray said.

"Everyone is looking at Hibs, how are we going to start the season? I think we answered a lot of questions today."

Not many would have backed Dundee before kick-off. After hearing Pressley's pre-match comments, they wouldn't have changed their minds.

"It's been hugely challenging, I've not hid from that fact," he told BBC Scotland. "We are still six players away from getting our squad together. We've got a lot of recruitment over the next four weeks to complete.

"The current group of players have been hugely receptive and worked very hard, but they also need support. Hopefully we can get them that support."

Pressley went on to talk about how the plans he had when appointed have been changed and ripped up, given his current squad's strengths.

It was far from inspiring and smacked of a manager who had, perhaps, misunderstood the depth of the challenge and the gravity of the situation.

While his honesty is admirable, Dundee fans won't want to hear it. They've stumbled and fallen out of the blocks in this campaign, still flat on their face as others around them race ahead.

The mood music is already gloomy and ominous.

Bowie. The Hibs striker took his two goals well and on another day, might have had a hat-trick.

Now capped by Scotland, there is a belief among some observers that he could go on to fill the number nine shirt for the national team.

It's a position where the country has very little depth. Bowie has the physicality and the technique. He has bounced back from a bad injury and, given a clear run this season, could keep forcing his way into national squads.

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley: "We worked very hard. We did some good things defensively. We had a good shape around us. Gave away two disappointing goals in a time where I felt we'd settled into the game quite nicely.

"The big frustration was in possession we didn't show the belief, we turned the ball over unopposed at times when we could have made better choices."

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "It was a real professional performance. The mentality and the character of the players was there for everyone to see.

"We responded in the best possible way."

It doesn't get any easier for Dundee - they travel to Ibrox to face Rangers next Saturday (17:45).

Hibs are back in European action on Thursday in Conference League qualifying, away to Serbian side Partizan Belgrade (20:00).