Adam Montgomery gets some space down the left for Saints, but his low cross is smothered by goalkeeper David Marshall.

Hibs go up the other end and Alex Mitchell makes a crucial intervention to stop Mykalo Kuharevych from getting a shot away.

Rory Loy
Former Dundee & St Mirren forward on BBC Sportsound

St Johnstone have their first effort on goal, but it's not pretty.

Connor McLennan picked up the scraps out on the left from that free kick, jinked inside but fired the ball well wide.

Hibs defender Rocky Bushiri clatters into the back of Nicky Clark and Saints have the free kick on halfway and some respite.

Madness from Bushiri. He was getting nowhere near the ball.

Callum Davidson is out barking at his players. St Johnstone have been off it so far.

Meanwhile, their fans are bouncing in the away end. On the pitch, Joe Newell launches a throw into Saints' box, but the visitors clear.

Mykalo Kuharevych has been furiously putting himself about up top for Hibs.

This time he's a little too keen and hacks down Ryan McGowan.

Rory Loy
Former Dundee & St Mirren forward on BBC Sportsound

St Johnstone have barely touched the ball so far.

A lovely move from Hibs ends with Martin Boyle feeding Mykola Kukharevych, and the Ukranian lashes a shot over the bar.

He was looking for the top corner, but a return to Boyle might have been the better option.

Chris Cadden and Martin Boyle are combining well down the right for Hibs.

This time Boyle gets a shot away in the box but it's well wide.

A first job for the VAR Willie Collum as Martin Boyle takes a tumble as Alex Mitchell's leg went out to clear the ball in the box.

Referee Kevin Clancy is straight out with the booking for simulation. A check's been completed and the decision stands.

Boyle got to his feet rather sheepishly which told you a lot there.

Hibs have certainly started like a team with a point to prove after last week's 6-1 scudding at Celtic.

Mykola Kukharevych has been impressive so far as Liam Gordon has to make a good tackle to stop him getting to the by-line.

Michael Stewart
Former Hibernian midfielder on Sportsound

It's two early chances at a raucous Easter Road for the hosts!

Mykola Kukharevych is denied from eight yards on the angle by St Johnstone goalkeeper Remi Matthews a moment after Martin Boyle's close-range shot was blocked by Andy Considine.

We're up and running at Easter Road!

The pre-match music previously mentioned was some guy playing 'Freed From Desire', by Gala, on the fiddle.

Not what I expected. Anyway, here we go.

Hibernian manager Lee Johnson tells BBC Scotland: “It's brilliant [here tonight], the performance has to match that. Certainly, in terms of bravery after last week.

“A big performance, a brave one, is required tonight.

On VAR: “It’s very interesting, it’s new to a lot of us, and hopefully it gets through very crisply without any teething problems.

"It’s a passionate game up here, and the fan of all clubs bring that, and what we don't want to do is slow that down.

"We want justice for decisions but not to slow the games down."

St Johnstone Callum Davidson tells BBC Scotland: “It’s a great a night, all credit to Hibs for reducing the price of the ticket as well, it will make it a great occasion.

"I am a little bit jealous of the players being out there on the pitch right now!"

On VAR: "It’s a moment in Scottish football where something different is happening, it’s maybe strange halfway through the season but hopefully we’ll get good decisions.

"Hopefully it’s used as little as possible, it doesn't disrupt the game, correct decisions are made, and that the game flows.

"When the referee's not involved in the game, it’s a good game I always say!"

After a pretty positive start, St Johnstone have lost their last three league games.

They've all been by a single goal, and they were so close to snatching a draw against Celtic a fortnight ago.

But Callum Davidson's men are just one point above the bottom three sides, so a win tonight would be a great boost before their nearest rivals play tomorrow.

Hibs boss Lee Johnson has been a fairly vocal figure since arriving in Scottish football in the summer.

After last week's 6-1 demolition at Celtic Park he questioned his side's mentality and criticised some "schoolboy" defending.

He's great for a quote, but is it the most effective way of getting the most from his players? I guess we're about to find out.

Image source, SNS

The old ground in Leith will be bursting at the seams this evening as a Friday night kick-off and very reasonably priced tickets have brought out the punters.

Hibs, who capped all ticket prices for the game at £10 for adults and £5 concessions, expect their biggest attendance since defeating Hearts 1-0 on 4 January 1989.

St Johnstone requested additional away tickets for the fixture on Tuesday, after announcing they had sold out their allocation of 1,058. Their appeal was rejected on Wednesday.