No rest for Paul following call-up

HIBERNIAN stalwart Paul Hanlon insists he is ready to fight fatigue to realise his Scotland dream.

Easter Road boss Neil Lennon described his players as “dead on their feet” following their hard-fought 2-1 victory against Dundee, having navigated a run of five games in a fortnight.

Lennon, ordinarily a tough taskmaster, will now afford his weary stars several days off during the upcoming international hiatus.

However, Hanlon will be on Scotland duty after receiving his maiden call-up to the senior set-up.

“All the boys will get a few days rest now, which is great for them,” he said. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way, I am looking forward to meeting up with the Scotland boys.

“It’s a real chance to go there and impress. I’m going to give it my best shot and hopefully catch the eye to get in future squads.”

Indeed, Hanlon can report to Malky Mackay’s camp this morning in fine fettle after helping the Hibees to a fourth successive victory in the Premiership with a 2-1 win over Dundee.

But it was a more fraught afternoon than anyone would have envisioned after 63 seconds, when Lennon’s side took the lead through Martin Boyle.

However, instead of wilting, Neil McCann’s men battled back and claimed a deserved leveller through Marcus Haber and the Dens park boss was left raging at the flashpoint which dominated the aftermath of this encounter.

A flailing arm from Hibs defender Ryan Porteous caught Spence, prompting a melee.

Amid the madness, Anthony Stokes appeared to strike Dundee’s Jack Hendry – or, in McCann’s words, “he punched him in the b****”.

“I don’t think Jack would have gone down unless it was something,” said Dundee defender Cammy Kerr.

“But if he [Stokes] did do something, then that’s a decision that could have changed the game.”