John Collins claimed Abdessalam Benjelloun's return to the Hibernian side is like having a new player after the 2-2 draw with Dundee United.The striker sparked the Easter Road club's comeback in the SPL clash against the Terrors on Saturday.

The Moroccan made his first appearance since mid-September when he came on as a second-half substitute.

The 22-year-old showed great technique to create space inside the box to pull a goal back after the hosts went 2-0 down.

Benjelloun has been left out of the team of late after firstly feeling the effects of fasting for Ramadan and then picking up an injury.

But Hibs boss Collins is delighted he can now call upon the striker for matches.

He said: "It's like a new signing now, he has not really participated this season with Ramadan and injury.

"You saw with his goal the way he went one way and then the other.

"It was a great boost, it's great news for us and it's a new signing.

"He probably needs another 90 minutes in the reserves this week.

"It's better he came on in the game when they are tied so he could make an impact."

After a lively first half that brought no goals, United took the lead in the 65th minute after David Robertson nodded home a Sean Dillon cross.

Robertson added a second in the 73rd minute in a near-identical move to the first goal, this time converting Willo Flood's cross.

However, Hibs showed great character to earn a draw.

Benjelloun got himself on the score sheet three minutes later and Mickael Antoine-Curier scored from the penalty spot after Dillon was sent off for felling David Murphy.

Collins was delighted with the way his players responded to going two down.

He added: "It was two good goals from them but we showed great spirit and self-belief.

"There are two ways you can go when you go two behind.

"Players can hide but there was a great fight back and, in the end, we could have gone on to win it."

Even though United failed to close out the game to collect the win, manager Craig Levein praised his side's performance.

He said: "My overriding feeling is off real pride of how the players played.

"I see it as a step forward in our progress.

"We passed the ball excellently in the second half and competed for 90 minutes.

"I would rather credit Hibs with a great comeback and I could not criticise my players."

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