Easter Road men will be ready, pledges Lennon

Hibs manager Neil Lennon insists the travel and accommodation disruption for the trip to Greece is far from ideal, but stopped short of accusing Asteras Tripolis of any underhand tactics.

Following the drama of Hibs officials having to source another plane just 12 hours before Tuesday’s departure, Lennon last night also revealed how the club’s hotel booking was cancelled last weekend, with no explanation given.

The late switch has meant that some of Lennon’s backroom staff are now unable to stay with the rest of the group.

There was also a further twist when the new hotel suffered a brief power cut yesterday.

The former Celtic boss was speaking as he faced the media ahead of this evening’s clash with Tripolis at the Theodoros Kolokotronis stadium, where the Leith outfit will attempt to defend the 3-2 lead from last week’s second qualifying round first leg victory.

Despite the off-field difficulties, Lennon insists his team will be ready for the game as Hibs strive to successfully negotiate successive European ties for the first time since 1973.

He believes his team, who fought back from two goals down in the first leg, will need to find the net in Greece.

He said: “We feel we’ll have to score at some stage in the game.”

Steven Whittaker could miss out while goalkeeper Ofir Marciano remains on the absentee list with a finger injury.