Lennon Time to man up
Neil Lennon has told his Hibs side to take a leaf out of his book and take criticism on the chin.
The Easter Road gaffer had a pop at Jason Cummings and his team-mates after last week’s 0- 0 draw at Queen of the South.
The former Celtic skipper believes current stars are protected too much, unlike during his playing days under Martin O’Neill at Leicester and Parkhead.
And Lennon doesn’t expect his own troops to hide after his assessment, rather he wants to see a positive reaction against Dundee United today.
The 45-year- old, who is looking for a first win in three, said: “It’s a manager’s prerogative to criticise his players. These days we get really sensitive when managers have a go at them.
“When I was playing it was par for the course. You took it and said, ‘I’ll show you’.
“Sometimes you just want a reaction. I thought our play in the final third against Queens could and should have been better. I’ve got every right to voice that opinion.
“When they play well I’ll praise them to high heavens. I’ve got a good bunch here and I don’t think they’re over- sensitive. They won’t sulk too much.
“I remember being dug out by the manager in dressing rooms loads of times – on a weekly basis, in fact.
“But you never take it personally. Martin knew me, he knew he’d get a reaction and he did. Sometimes you do it for a purpose. I was critical of Jason last week. He knows he didn’t play well but his reaction is a shrug of the shoulders and, ‘I’m ready to go again’.
“I tend to treat players all the same. If there’s something I’m not happy with I won’t be shy in telling them.
“It’s football. Are we going to hold their hands all week?”