The word crisis is, of course, over-used and was a simplistic assessment of Hibs' summer preparations, results from last season being counted alongside a tricky InterToto Cup encounter with IF Elfsborg, which would have tested any SPL club, as well as a mauling by Barcelona and admittedly disappointing results against inferior opposition.

Throughout, Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen remained stoic, insistent that it would be "all right on the night", an assertion which was greeted with more than a touch of scepticism from those who suggested the big Finn was under pressure, his job under threat and Hibs in danger of becoming embroiled in a relegation dog-fight.

Such talk, which clearly irked Paatelainen at times, has now all but faded into a distant memory and Paatelainen and his players will, although quietly satisfied with things so far, undoubtedly be pondering the fact that their points tally could, already, be much healthier; the early indications being that this will be a hard-fought campaign with none of the 12 clubs involved able to boast a 100 per cent record.

If goals were at a premium – just two scored in an eight-match programme before the serious action got underway – they have now begun to flow with Hibs making chances galore in games against Kilmarnock, Falkirk and, now, Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

However, while manager and players alike shelter behind that well-worn mantra that they'd be more worried if goal-scoring opportunities were not being created, the Easter Road stars need to become more ruthless inside the opposition's penalty area.

Chances were made, and missed, in the 1-0 loss at Rugby Park, again in beating Falkirk 3-2 and once more as Hibs finally broke their Highland hoodoo at the Caledonian Stadium, scoring for the first time in this, their sixth visit to Inverness on League business.

Colin Nish made it three goals in two games as he cancelled out Don Cowie's first half opener but, as the tall striker admitted, he could have claimed a hat-trick for himself although team-mate John Rankin acknowledged that others, including himself, were just as culpable.

Having scorned a glorious opportunity to equalise when Rankin's header sent him clear, Nish kept his cool to slide a shot under Caley goalkeeper Michael Fraser half-a-minute into the second half and then suffered the agony of watching a powerful header hit the inside of the post and bounce to safety.

While still kicking himself at missing that first half sitter, Nish today revealed he had no doubts he'd be the first Hibs player to score in Inverness, a fair claim given this goal made it seven in as many matches for the former Kilmarnock hitman against Caley, a record which now stands at nine in ten games over the past two-and-a-bit seasons.

He said: "I don't know what happened to that first chance, I had plenty of space, whether the ball took a bounce or not it just wouldn't come down for me and I ended putting it over the bar.

"I expected to score because I seem to do so every time I play against them. I don't know why, they just seem to be a lucky team for me."

Nish, however, added: "On another day we could have had four or five so we were disappointed not to get the three points. We should have had more against Falkirk, too, but I think what the manager is telling us is now coming to fruition. I feel we are looking very dangerous when on the attack.

"We just didn't manage to get as many goals as we would have liked but it will come, I think we have goals throughout this team."

Midfield star Rankin concurred, having screwed a shot wide against his old club following a delightful exchange of passes with Steven Fletcher which left him with only Fraser to beat.

He said: "We didn't get the result we were looking for but we got a point and that's a difficult place to go to. To come back from 1-0 down is pleasing, it shows a bit of character.

"I said before the game we had to take any chances we made; we actually created more than I thought we might. Only Colin took one but he had more as did Dean Shiels, Fletch and myself. We can work on our finishing and it's something I am sure we will be doing.

"On another day we will take our chances and we'll end up scoring I don't know how many goals."

Rankin, though, was able to take a positive from the game, the fact Hibs had scored in Inverness for the first time and taken a point from a visit there for only the second time.

He said: "Before the game the manager had said to put the record out of our minds and to concentrate on taking the three points. Five games, no goals and just one point isn't good enough for a club of Hibs' size.

"We gave a good account of ourselves but the feeling in the dressing room was we should have won. We had a difficult pre-season as has been well- documented but that's what it was, pre-season, when results don't count and everything is geared to gaining fitness. We've taken four points from three games, two of them away from home, it's not an ideal start but something we can build on."

The optimism emanating from within the Easter Road camp is well justified even if they don't feel their efforts have been rewarded in full, the emergence of a rejuvenated Alan O'Brien posing a real threat with the Republic of Ireland winger beginning to deliver a succession of dangerous crosses in every game although, on this occasion, his blistering pace was nullified somewhat by the lush turf in which the ball tended to "stick", thus preventing him from getting up to full speed. Nevertheless, O'Brien still succeeded in causing problems while Paatelainen's style of getting the ball forward more quickly – not "hoofball" but with the purpose of getting the frontmen involved and the midfield up in support – is now starting to show promise with the likes of Rankin and Dean Shiels, who had faint claims for a penalty as he was impeded going for a rebound when Fraser couldn't hold a Fletcher shot, more than willing to push up behind the strikeforce.

Paatelainen described himself as more satisfied than frustrated with the number of chances made but not taken, although he, too, admitted he was disappointed not to have won.

He said: "We should have scored two or three more than we did but we totally controlled the second half and I was pleased with that.

"I'd be more worried if we were not creating and only nicking a goal now and again from 30 yards.

"We are creating lots of chances inside the opposition's penalty area and that's through the effort the players are putting in. Hopefully that will continue and if it does we will score goals."