Bittersweet win for Lenny as it may be McGinn’s last
LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP HIBERNIAN MOTHERWELL
HIBERNIAN head coach Neil Lennon’s delight at seeing his side begin their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign with a 3- 0 victory over Motherwell was tempered by the dreaded prospect that John McGinn had played his last game for the club.
Just three days after seeing of f Asteras Tripolis to set up a Europa League third qualifying round clash with Molde, the Leith outfit produced a n e mp a t h i c performance on their return to domestic action.
Stevie Mallan, with a contentious opener, Oli Shaw and Martin Boyle all got on the score sheet.
McGi n n , t h e subjected of failed bids from Celtic and reported interest from Brighton and Blackburn, was given a standing ovation after being substituted in the 8 0 t h m i n u t e yesterday.
Hibs host Norwegian side Molde in Thursday’s first leg on the day the English transfer window closes and f o rme r C e l t i c manager Lennon admitted it would be nigh- on impossible to find a replacement for the 23- year- old S c o t l a n d internationalist.
Asked if McGinn had played his last game, Lennon said: “I don’t know is the answer.
“The only concrete bid we’ve had is from Cel t ic and that hasn’t met our valuation – and I would be amazed if we didn’t get more offers in for him.
“He is one of the best out of all the players I’ve worked with in terms of what he brings to the team and his influence. If he does go it will leave a huge hole, one we’ll have to try and fill.
“H e i s j u s t outstanding; I think he is at the peak of his powers at the minute. He has a value and it’s a bit like [ former Celtic defender] Virgil van Dijk’s situation. I couldn’t understand why no one took a punt on him early.
“Whether he will be here Thursday or not, it’s going to be a fraught couple of days either way for me. I dread him going.”
The first goal came from a free- kick after r e f e r e e B o b b y Madden had penalised Well captain Peter Hartley for handball – dishing out a yellow card to the centre- half in the process – after a M a l l a n d r i v e cannoned off the Englishman.
M o t h e r w e l l manager Robinson had Madden in his sights afterwards.
He said: “It’s a crazy decision and it has a big, big influence on the game.”