Paul Hanlon insists that his main priority is a clean sheet every week although he was happy to contribute at the other end to give Hibs the lead against Dumbarton at Easter Road yesterday.
Typically the modest defender was quick to praise his team mate Jason Cummings for the quality of his corner just before half time.
The goal came at the perfect time for Hibs as the fans were becoming frustrated and going in at half time with a 1-0 lead meant that Dumbarton had to attack in the second period.
Despite totally dominating possession, it took a 76th minute strike from Brian Graham to secure the three points and Hanlon also praised the contribution of the former Ross County striker.
After the game Hanlon told Hibs TV: “Today was about getting back on track after last week’s result, so I’ll take the three points.
“You can’t always win playing the best of football, it’s about winning ugly sometimes and it can lead you to a championship, so that’s what we’re going for.
“Dumbarton tried to play football without creating to many chances but they had spells of pressure.
“As a defender I set out for a clean sheet every week and it was good to get that.
“Jason’s corner just missed their front man which is the perfect area and there was so much pace on it I just had to touch it and I knew it was going in.
“When I was running back after scoring the goal, I looked at the time and it was just on 45 minutes which was perfect. It gave us something to rest on and they have to come out after that.
“Before the goal I had a couple of chances as well. We worked on set pieces yesterday and it’s always good to help the team with a few goals.
“Brian’s (Graham) record speaks for itself. It was a great finish from him today. The last goal he scored here at Easter road was more of a scrappy goal so he has that in his locker.
“He puts himself in those positions and doesn’t let his head go down if he misses.
“Even when he is dropped out of the team he has always came on and helped us.
“It’s all about the squad. We have a few injuries of big players for us but we have boys coming in and doing the job.
“We just need to keep going and the manager will utilise the squad when he feels that he needs to.”
Photo by John Preece
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
