Michael Gannon Lenny’s being serious – now Hibsmustbetoo

WHEN the heat of the battle is still smouldering it’s not always the best time to take Neil Lennon’s post-match comments at face value.

But the Hibs hierarchy should take note at his Tynecastle tirade. History has shown their gaffer is a man of his word, even if they are uttered when the steam is still coming out of his ears.

Lennon’s revelation he could quit Easter Road at the end of the season might have felt like a bombshell being dropped on Leith but the sound of the Lancaster’s propellers have been clear for a number of weeks if you have been listening carefully.

This is no empty threat in the aftermath of a painful derby defeat. It’s no sabre rattling to squeeze a few extra quid out of the Hibs board to fund a rebuilding job.

Lennon might have been fuming at his side’s display against Hearts but he meant every word.

There have been whispers behind the scenes at Easter Road for a while now. It’s not that he is unhappy in his job. Far from it.

He has been embraced by the green half of Edinburgh and has launched himself into reclaiming the club’s status as one of Scottish football’s powerhouses.

It has been mission accomplished on that front. He might be gutted at an “unacceptable” fourth in the table but he could be the only one at Easter Road.

A top-four spot, a possible European place and 17 points ahead of Hearts going into the final day of the season is not a decent job done, it’s a remarkable one.

Hibs have the fifthbiggest budget in the country and are in their first year back in the top flight after three years in the Championship.

Lennon has built a cracking side and if it wasn’t for the early adjustments on their return they might have had second spot sewn up with weeks to spare.

Just look at the impact his January signings made. If Flo Kamberi, Jamie Maclaren and Scott Allan had been on board from the get-go it would have been a different story.

Ifs and buts mind you but it’s another example of what Lennon does.

He has a reputation as a motivator but is also a master recruiter and that is what’s going to give the Hibs board a headache when their boss goes on his long walk to mull over his future.

The equation will be simple for Lennon. Back him in the transfer market and he’ll do the business on and off the pitch.

If the Hibs board are happy to set fourth as par for the course, he’ll shake hands and dig out the golf clubs until he gets a job offer that tempts him.

That’s the challenge for Rod Petrie and Leeann Dempster. Celtic will still be on another planet but Rangers will tool up and Aberdeen have to chuck Derek McInnes a few quid or he’ll be facing a similar dilemma to Lennon.

Hearts will be stronger next year as well. There is no such thing as standing still in football when the game is quicksand.

Lennon is allergic to accepting second best.

He made similar threats at Celtic and stunned everyone by carrying them out when it came to the crunch.

When Lenny says he will chuck it, he’s being serious. Now we will find out if the Hibs board are as well.

Back him in transfer market and he’ll do the business on and off the pitch