Hibs’ Head Coach Neil Lennon quoted his old Celtic boss, Martin O’Neill after yesterday’s 3-1 victory over Partick Thistle, describing his team’s performance as ‘astonishingly brilliant.’
While the comment was made ‘tongue in cheek’ there is no doubt that Hibs have fired a warning to other sides in the top flight with a comfortable win over Thistle who achieved top six status last season.
After losing an early goal, Hibs took command and deservedly took all three points thanks to goals from Martin Boyle, Steven Whittaker and Simon Murray.
The ‘feel good’ factor was emphasized by the large crowd of almost 18,000 which included a new singing section situated in the Upper Famous Five who backed the team throughout with a selection of new songs dedicated to individual players.
After the game a delighted Lennon said: “As my old manager used to say, we were astonishingly brilliant.
“We got off to a really poor start. You can get like that, a little bit drowsy with the atmosphere and all the pomp beforehand, but the reaction from the team was fantastic.
“I thought we dominated the game, in terms of goal attempts, our passing was good, our physical attributes were good, our physical fitness was good.
“Simon (Murray) was superb. His first touch, his willingness to close people down, then to take the penalty and score it will give him a real shot of confidence.”
When asked about the reception which greeted the players he responded: “The fans here have been amazing, since I’ve walked in the door. We are now looking like a big club again.
“To have a big crowd in the building and to go home with the three points, with a great performance, it’s all good.
“But it’s just the start. We’ve got big games coming up in midweek and, obviously, next weekend, but I can’t ask for any more than what I’m seeing from the players at the moment.”
Hibs face Ayr United on Tuesday at Easter Road in the last 16 of the Betfred League Cup.
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.
