Hibs’ Head Coach Neil Lennon insists that the league table does not lie and is testament to his players’ consistency throughout the season.

Whatever happens n the next two games, Hibs will finish the league campaign with a large lead over city neighbours Hearts but Lennon’s target is greater than ending up higher in the table than their Edinburgh rivals.

Hibs head to Tynecastle tonight knowing that defeat would result in a fourth place finish after Aberdeen and Rangers drew 1-1 last night. One point however would still leave Hibs with a great chance of finishing the season in second place for the first time since the glory days of Eddie Turnbull.

The Northern Irishman also refused to be drawn into the controversy regarding the state of the Tynecastle pitch after fellow countryman Brendan Rodgers called it an ’embarrassment’ following Sunday’s victory.

Lennon told BBC Scotland: “What are we, 20 points ahead? I think that is very, very healthy, and I think it doesn’t lie to how strong and consistent we have been this season.

“My aim or target isn’t to finish above Hearts or to be top dogs in Edinburgh really. It’s a by-part of what the bigger picture is. We have had a stellar season and we want that to continue.

“It’s a tight pitch and it’s not conducive to playing with a great deal of width, so the game gets narrow, it becomes a little bit more physical, and I can understand why Hearts are very strong at home.

“It’s taken a very good team to break that record. We’re hoping for more of the same tomorrow.

“It’s going to be dry and maybe a bit long, but it looked fine from where I was [on Sunday]. Hearts aren’t going to cut the pitch or treat the pitch to suit anyone else bar themselves, which is entirely their prerogative.

“You take any advantage you can. They play a certain way and they get the pitch to suit their style of play. You hear of managers bringing the pitches in at certain times. I have come up against that in the Premier League and in Europe so no change there really.”

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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.