Ross County manager Jim McIntyre hailed substitute Brian Graham after the striker helped inspire the Highland club to a 2-1 Scottish League Cup final victory over Hibernian at Hampden.

The Premiership side had taken a 26th-minute lead through Michael Gardyne on Sunday, only for second-tier Hibernian to grab an equaliser seconds before the interval thanks to a fierce strike from Liam Fontaine.

The momentum seemed to be with Hibs at the start of the second half, but the introduction of substitute Graham for Northern Ireland international Liam Boyce gave County more purpose.

The striker had two efforts harshly chalked off for offside and a foul before Alex Schalk tapped home a 90th-minute winner to give County a first major piece of silverware since they joined the Scottish Football League in 1994.

"When you make substitutions, we are always looking for that impact," McIntyre said of Graham's 59th-minute introduction.

"I felt the ball wasn't sticking enough up front. Liam Boyce has done fantastic for us this year. He's got 18 goals and he's been hugely instrumental in what we've done, but I think you've got to be ruthless.

"If it's not happening then you've got to try and be decisive in figuring out how you are going to win the game.

"Brian was really disappointed when he didn't play from the start, but I thought his attitude when I gave him the news he was going to be on the bench was that of a model professional.

"He left my room saying that he would be making an impact when he came on and fair play, he certainly did."

The Highland club are currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership and McIntyre said all plans for celebrations following the League Cup victory are off until their place in the top six is confirmed.

"We've got a massive four games coming up to try and secure the place we currently have in the top six because every team is fighting and scratching for it," he said.

"If we can manage to do that then it's been a fantastic season."

Defeat ended Hibs' hopes of a treble trophy haul.

The Easter Road side must now turn their attention to Wednesday's Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, while also getting their Championship promotion bid back on track following a run of three straight defeats.

"We certainly played our part in the game, but unfortunately we have contributed to our downfall as well," said manager Alan Stubbs.

"We did great to get back into the game and I thought overall we looked in control of the game, but I just felt we didn't create enough clear chances.

"The players have nothing to be ashamed of. I feel for them as it is never a nice thing to experience -- losing it in the way they have done -- but that is the cruel side of cup finals."