Ban is hard–but my staff have it covered
NEIL LENNON admits he finds it hard to handle his touchline ban – but is confident his backroom team will make sure Hibs cope in his absence.
Lennon served the first of his three-match suspension in Friday night’s 1-1 draw at St Johnstone.
The Northern Irishman was punished by the SFA for an angry bust-up with referee Kevin Clancy during Hibs’ 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock and also has a further two-game censure suspended for the rest of the year.
The ban is applied 75 minutes before kick-off until 15 minutes after full-time and includes the dressing rooms and tunnel area, meaning Lennon had to rely on assistant Garry Parker and his coaching staff to prepare the team in Perth. That will also be the case for the next two games against Partick Thistle and Hamilton.
Lennon, upset with referee John Beaton’s display on Friday, said: “It’s a good job I was in the stand after what I witnessed in the second half !
“I don’t enjoy it, it’s difficult. You can’t have an influence as much as you would like. But I’ve got good staff here who sent the team out in a strong frame of mind.”
Meanwhile, Hibs have been boosted by Steven Whittaker – who has had a pelvic problem for most of the season – playing his first full 90 minutes in four months.
Whittaker confirmed his return to fitness as Hibs’ development side beat their Dundee United counterparts 6-0 on Monday.