Neil Lennon hails ‘brilliant win’ which keeps Hibs in hunt for second place finish

Hibs’ Head Coach Neil Lennon described yesterday’s victory over Partick Thistle as a ‘brilliant win’ which keeps them in the hunt for second place.

The Easter Road side  went into the game without first choice keeper Ofir Marciano and talisman midfielder John McGinn.

The players all knew that second place Rangers had dropped two points against Motherwell in the early kick off but they started off slowly and the sides went in at half time all square.

Hibs upped a gear in the second half and ran out deserved winners thanks to goals from Jamie MacLaren and Paul Hanlon.

Thistle ended the game with 10 men after Danny Devine was rightly sent off after receiving a second yellow card for chopping down substitute Oli Shaw.

After the game Lennon told BBC Scotland: “Great three points. Hard fought win. I thought we were very flat first half. I think that’s due to the two-week break and it being a little bit fragmented and disjointed.

“That last half hour I thought we were excellent. It’s a brilliant win actually, it keeps us right in the hunt.

“We challenged the players. Historically, we don’t do so well against the lesser teams, if you want to call it that. We were lacking a little bit of energy and urgency. But the second half was a lot better.

“I think we needed the game. There was rustiness. No question. A few of them had been under the weather, a few of them carrying injuries. You could tell that they weren’t at their best. The game today will stand them in good stead for the next two games coming up.”