Hibs’ Head Coach Neil Lennon was delighted with his players’ ‘very special’ performance in last night’s derby victory over Hearts at Easter Road.
In fact, the Northern Irishman who played and managed in many famous Old Firm derbies went as far as saying the result left him with as good a feeling as any other.
His only ‘complaint’ was that the margin of victory should have been greater as the scoreline flattered the visitors.
Hibs scored in the second minute thanks to a superb strike from Simon Murray and Lennon praised his contribution after missing the last few games, but it was the midfield that earned most of his plaudits and in particular man of the match Dylan McGeouch.
Speaking immediately after the final whistle, Lennon said: “I’m very very happy. You know me it takes a lot to make me happy.
“The first half was perfect, in terms of intensity and pace, maybe only Celtic could live with that.
“The scoreline flatters Hearts. We were thoroughly dominant.
“I’ve been involved in a lot of derbies – and that is as good as any in terms of feeling. We came through it brilliantly.
“I think we should have won by more. At 1-0, I said to them they might score from a set play, deflection, anything. But it’s great to have a clean sheet.’
“We forced the game. We pressed them, made them make mistakes.
“I can only be very vocal about a very special performance, as good as I’ve seen here. There’s a rawness about the derby. You can see how much it means to them.
“I think we’ve played well against Celtic away, Aberdeen here, Celtic in semi-final. We haven’t been far away, so I’m very happy with how things going.
“We were light, as well we lost Anthony Stokes, Danny Swanson, we don’t’ have Darren McGregor or Liam Fontaine. But the players out there did the club proud.
“It’s a great finish. He’s been champing at the bit, a bit off colour in the last few games.
“Seeing Oli Shaw coming on at weekend gave him shot in arm. And he responded.
“But we had great players all over the park. The two wingers were fantastic. Brandon Barker was incredible.
“The three midfielders were great. We know what Marvin Bartley does in there. Dylan McGeouch and John McGinn are as good as anyone in the country at the minute.
“Dylan’s football was unbelievable tonight. The one where he dinked it over someone and played in a great ball, that’s priceless. The two of them break the lines brilliantly. That’s a real talent in itself.
“Dylan’s work rate and physicality have improved. We’re getting the best out of him.
“It’s the injury problems. He would be in and out with hamstring problems. But a new specialist seems to have got to bottom of it. He’s playing wonderful football.”
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.
