Hibs’ Head Coach Neil Lennon was delighted to overcome the challenge of on-form Dumbarton at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium on Saturday.
Hibs had to withstand a period of pressure after Kris Commons opened the scoring but Lennon insisted that his players had enough chances to wrap the game up in the closing 15 minutes.
After the game Lennon told Hibernian TV: ” Dumbarton are on the up. They have been excellent in the last few weeks and Stevie (Aitken) has got the ‘Manager of the Month’ award.
“Falkirk and Dundee United have both come here and lost so it’s a big win.
“Yes we rode our luck a little bit but we had great chances in the second half to add to that.
“I’m very positive. It wasn’t a day for pretty football due to the conditions and Kris (Commons) has come up with a great goal but in the last 15 minutes we could have made the result far more comfortable.
“We don’t have a divine right to come to any ground and play the type of football that we want to play. You have to remember there is an opposition up against you who want to stop you. It was always going to be tough today and that proved to be the case.
“We have overcome that however and with other teams dropping points around us it’s been a good day.
“It’s always good to send the Hibs fans home happy and they are happy today.”
Lennon was also quick to praise the contribution of his players including Fraser Fyvie who returned from a period of injury, goal scorer Kris Commins and goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw as well as his substitutes.
He continued: “It was a fantastic contribution from Fraser (Fyvie). We took a risk with him. We thought he’s only get through maybe 50-55 minutes then bring John McGinn on but Kris (Commons) felt his calf and with Chris Humphrey still being a bit undercooked we had to make changes.
“I think the subs made a bearing on the game. Holty (Grant Holt) gave us a physical presence and John McGinn is John McGinn and Jordon’s ability at the back so I’m very pleased with the 14 who were but there today.
“Kris was terrific again . I don’t think he has been 100% fit but he’ a great player. I’ve known him for a long time. he brings quality, intelligence and goals.
“I thought Ross (Laidlaw) was terrific, particularly in the second half when he came out and smothered Stirling and that was a big moment in the game and I though he handled everything Dumbarton threw at him. It’s another clean sheet, I don’t know how many that is this season but it’s very good consistency.”
Lennon also revealed the reason for Paul Hanlon’s absence. “Paul (Hanlon) had a cortisone injection and has a real problem with his pelvis for 4-5 weeks. He shouldn’t have played at Falkirk on the plastic pitch then he came through the game against Dundee United. I didn’t want to lose him for any period of time and while I wouldn’t call this a two week break, I can use the squad more with the cup game next week and give Paul some more time to come back for the league.”
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.
You’ve got to say Hibs will come up now.
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