Hibs’ Head Coach Neil Lennon was delighted with the performance of his players during Saturday’s 1-0 win over on-form Queen of the South at Palmerston Park on Saturday although he would have preferred a more flattering score-line.
Hibs dominated the game however it took a John McGinn volley in the 52nd minute to secure the three points that increased the club’s lead at the top of the Championship to eight points.
Lennon also revealed that the goal was as a result of a set play practiced on the training ground but he praised both James Keatings and McGinn for the execution and their bravery.
Hibs now face Ayr United at Easter Road on Saturday knowing that the last time they met in Leith it was the visitors who emerged victorious scoring two late goals after Marvin Bartley was wrongly sent off.
Speaking after the game to Cliff Pike of Hibernian TV, Lennon said: ” I’m really pleased with the performance. It was a thoroughly deserved win.
“I would have liked to have had a more flattering score-line though. We had a great spell after we scored and totally dominated and had some great chances but their keeper made two great saves.
“I would like us to be a little bit more prolific in front of goals but we had great control of the game but it was a superb performance and we dealt with everything Queens threw at us.
“Our shape was good. We defended well as a unit and I thought for a spell we were devastating and with a bit of luck we could have been two or three up.
“As a manager, you are never comfortable at 1-0 as anything can happen, a deflection or an own goal or lack of concentration.
“Our goal came straight from the training ground. It was something we had talked about and it was really well executed although I thought we had a bit of luck with the deflection.
“It was a great delivery from Keatsy (James Keatings) and John (McGinn) timed his run perfectly so fair play to the players for having the bravery to do that in the first place.
“Queens have been in good form. You have to remember that. They scored three at Dundee United then went to Dumbarton and won so to come here and win as convincingly was very pleasing.
“If you keep winning, you keep asking questions of everyone else which is all we can do at the minute.
“A lot of people thought we would have gone with the wingers today but on a pitch like this sometimes the ball can run away from you. It’s difficult to dribble on at times and it’s rare to see anyone going on a mazy run so I thought the set up of our team was the way to go and it proved to be the case.”
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.
