Lenny all smiles for cameras this time as he chills out ahead of Ton grudge clash
EUAN McLEAN
THE smile was as wide as it was deliberate as Neil Lennon sat down for a quieter but no less fascinating meeting with the Press.
Last week the papers were full of images of him shouting and baring his teeth as he vented his fury at one of the most sensational Press conferences in Scottish football history.
Yesterday he was showing his teeth again, this time jokingly, as he gently scolded the photographers for never snapping him looking happy.
Which, in fairness, over the past nine days would be a feat akin to catching Lord Lucan riding away with Kruger’s Millions on the back of Shergar. The Hibs boss
has not been a happy Easter bunny lately but yesterday the lid had been placed on his simmering anger over last week’s infamous showdown with Morton. Or, more specifically, with Ton manager Jim Duffy. Much has been said about that night although not enough from the Greenock club who have refused to fully address the issues. Even Duffy’s newspaper column was of the “move along folks, there’s nothing to see here” tone. But his attempt to draw a line will prove futile with Hibs the visitors to Cappielow tomorrow. Ding ding, round two. Or so you’d think. Yet Lennon doesn’t. The pair haven’t spoken since that night and while the Hibs boss is unsure if they will greet each other with a handshake tomorrow, there remains a grudging respect. Not for anything that has happened over the past week but the professional in Lennon sees plenty to respect in how Duffy has lifted this Morton side on a shoestring to make them promotion contenders. So much so that he says Duffy could be a Manager of the Year contender and that there will be no attempt to settle scores today, at least not among the players. Lennon said: “There is no sense of grievance among the players. There is with me but that won’t get to the players.
“I’ve got a hearing hanging over me and I feel aggrieved about that but it’s nothing to do with the players.
“I’m sure there will be passion in the crowd but that won’t be an issue as far as I’m concerned.
“They didn’t start the season well and we beat them easily in the first meeting but Jim has found a way of playing and you must pay tribute to the job he has done.
“He should be a contender for the Manager of the Year award.” Nice tribute but will you shake hands before the game?
Lennon added: “Have you asked Jim? Does he do Press conferences? So he gets to avoid all the awkward questions.
“He’s not sitting in front of you lot having to answer the questions you guys ask. Is that fair?
“For me, that’s wrong. There’s a conflict of interests there. I do my job and part of my contract is to speak to you guys and I’m happy to do it.
“I’m sorry about last week but I was making a point. I think I’m pretty fair, pretty honest.
“I don’t avoid things, I tell you how I feel. Maybe I shouldn’t be so up front. Maybe I should just bat it off.
“Or maybe I should get a column in the paper. It would save you guys all the travel.”
I’ve got a hearing hanging over me and I feel aggrieved about that NEIL LENNON