Parker blasts Hibees’ flop show as worst of reign

Gary Parker insisted Hibs had no excuses for their worst performance since he and Neil Lennon took charge at Easter Road.

Assistant boss Parker stepped in to relieve Lennon of his post-match media duties after a turbulent few days since the gaffer was struck with a coin in the midweek Edinburgh derby.

But Parker is adamant the fallout from that night of madness cannot be used as a shield for his players after their run of 14 home league games undefeated ended with a whimper. Parker said: “Everything went wrong. I’ve never seen a team pass to the opposition so much in my life. It wasn’t good at all. “Going forward we didn’t test their keeper enough. That is the poorest performance at home since we have been at Hibs.

“Who came out the game with any credit going forward? Nobody. And that is so disappointing.

“St Johnstone thoroughly deserved it.

“It’s a first defeat at home for a long time but you could see it coming. We were flat and had nothing. We were so poor.”

Hibs didn’t even get a boost from Adam Bogdan saving former Hibee Danny Swanson’s penalty.

Parker added: “You think the penalty save might give you a lift and you can go on to create something or, with two minutes to go, at least don’t lose the game. To then concede a goal is criminal.”

Asked how Lennon was after the game, Parker added: “Neil is alright but after THAT result we’re just really disappointed.” Did his best to keep his cards in his pocket for most of the day but when he did eventually start laying down the law it was sensible and consistent. Called the Saints penalty award correctly too in what was an assured performance from one of our better referees. 8