ALAN STUBBS, the Hibernian head coach, reckons Jason Cummings is reaping the rewards of a change in style after he netted his 10th goal of the season at the weekend.

The Scotland under-21 cap is on course to be the Easter Road side's leading goalscorer for the second year running after reaching double figures only 15 matches into the campaign.

The 20-year-old has now scored in seven of his last nine appearances and admitted after his goal in Saturday's 2-1 win over Raith Rovers that he may have to revise his targets for the season.

Cummings bagged 22 goals last term in his first full campaign as a top-team regular but Stubbs has consistently talked of the talented youngster still having lots to learn.

His goal on Saturday showcased his repertoire of ability: controlling a long Mark Oxley kick-out expertly before deftly lobbing over Rovers goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert.

Stubbs believes the former Hearts trainee, who was plucked by Hibs from part-time football and a gardening job just over two years ago, is benefitting from playing higher up the pitch.

Stubbs said: "It was a great finish. We've been telling him to play on the shoulder [of defenders] more and more, because he had a habit in his game where he wanted to come towards the ball all the time when I first came to the club. And his strengths are not necessarily [in doing] that. He's got better at coming towards the ball, much better.

"But his biggest asset, with his pace, is playing in between defenders and giving them a real problem."

At the other end of the pitch, Hibs have enjoyed nine shut-outs in 15 outings this season but Stubbs knows his rearguard will endure their stiffest examination in weeks when they host Rangers on Sunday and has urged them to be more diligent in defence.

He added: "We switched off for one second [on Saturday] and it cost us. This week we can't switch off for one second, at all."