Neil Lennon was delighted with his team’s performance in yesterday’s excellent win over Motherwell in front of a packed Easter Road.
The Hibs’ Head Coach was forced to field a changed starting XI due to injuries to key players, but the replacements more than justified his decision.
Oli Shaw scored Hibs second just before the break and was voted sponsor’s man of the match whilst Ryan Porteous was a colossus in defence and Marvin Bartley controlled the midfield.
Fatigue played a part near the end but goalkeeper Adam Bogdan was on hand secure Hibs’ first clean sheet of the season.
New signing Jamie MacLaren featured for the last 25 minutes and was unlucky not to have scored after Shaw set him up with a good chance.
Lennon is hoping to have his top striker Florian Kamberi back in the team for Thursday’s Europa League third qualifying round asHibs look to progress to the play offs for the lucrative group stages.
After the final whistle Lennon told Cliff Pike of Hibs TV: “I was really surprised by the quality of the performance against a very good side and it was a great result and great gals but it was the team’s performance and a clean sheet as well that pleased me.
“On the back of Thursday which took a lot out of the boys, mentally and physically, it’s a great result and I was delighted with the boys that came in as well.
“I was delighted with the start we made
“I thought Marvin (Bartley) was superb and Ryan (Porteous) and Oli (Shaw) both had great games as well and they should be really pleased about their contribution today.
“Flo (Kamberi) has a knee problem at the minute and it’s trying to get a balance between Thursdays and Sundays. We thought we’d give him half and hour today but the way things went we didn’t need to so he should be fit for Thursday.
“In terms of Darren (McGregor), he has this puffiness in his knee which blew up again this morning so he was out.
“I wanted Marvin for some physical strength. Vicky (Slivka) had cramp on Thursday night and the turn around was really quick so it was just common sense to get some fresh legs in there allied to what we already had.
“I’m delighted with the two young lads who have been chomping at the bit and Marvin. It’s been a bit frustrating for him but his attitude has been superb. I thought he had a huge influence in the game along with John McGinn and Stevie Mallan.
“Stevie has fantastic skill. the quality and speed that he hits the ball and the control as well as he can hit both corners. It’s a real asset that he has. I’ve been so impressed with him.
“Adam (Bogdan) has started to find his form as well. he was outstanding today and he gives us a calmness. I think the Hibs’ fans can see what a good goalkeeper he is.”
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.
