Hibs’ Head Coach Neil Lennon says that he is proud of his team after collecting the Championship trophy following yesterday’s 1-1 draw with St Mirren in front of a packed Easter Road.
Lennon however will not be resting on his laurels and he is already planning for next season in the top flight.
The Northern Irishman believes that keeping the core of the team is vitally important and he is looking to recruit the right players to compete at the highest level.
He also praised the contribution of the supporters who have connected with the players from day one.
Speaking to Hibernian TV after the celebrations, Lennon said: “I thought we played really well in the first half hour. The tempo was good and the game was great, but we should’ve been 1-0 up. Andy (Shinnie) has missed a great chance but I was quite pleased with the first half.
“We knew St Mirren were pressing, but we didn’t turn them enough, for my liking and it happened more in the second half. It was a great ball in from John and a great finish from Holty, but then we took the foot off the gas.
“I can’t be too critical of them. It’s been a long time waiting on the trophy, we’ve eased off on training a little bit and St Mirren were fighting for their lives.
“The character of the team was fantastic and I’m just really proud of the players and proud of the supporters. It’s been a great day.
“We have had a brilliant season. Whenever we have asked them a question they have answered it.
“We are back in the big show which is great and where we should be. We will have four derbies, four games against Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen which will be real tests and that is what we want.
“There has been a real connection all season between the players and the supporters from day one and I am really proud to be the manager here.
“The players can go away and have a good rest and have two or three weeks doing nothing before coming back for the pre-season.
“I’ll be working away this week and next week on contracts and budgets and it’s really important that we recruit the right players and not overspend and that’s exciting but we also have to keep the core of the team.
“I’m really comfortable here. It’s been a good fit for me and I have really enjoyed it.
“We are really pleased for Leeann (Dempster) who has worked tirelessly over the last three years to get us back up .
“George Craig and the board have also done fantastic and they can relax and enjoy themselves for a few weeks as well.
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.
