“We got brought down to earth with a bump and, on reflection, I was too hard on the players”
Hibs manager NEIL LENNON admits his verbal blast at his team after their 4-1 loss to Aberdeen at Pittodrie was a bit over the top.
the players yet, but I will in the morning. I thought I would give the players a few days away from me and vice versa. Sometimes that’s good – we have another three games in a week and I want them to be back at it.
“They were outstanding in the two games against Celtic and Rangers and then there was a flatness against Aberdeen, who played very, very well. All you’re looking for is a reaction and I’m sure I’ll get one. We’re playing some really good football, albeit Aberdeen was a reality check for us. Sometimes that’s good for a team.
Overall, though, the Northern Irishman’s half-term report was positive. “I’m very, very happy,” he claimed.
“We’re fourth in the league having just been promoted. It has been a very good year and there’s more to come from this team. Our activity in January will have a say as well, but I’m absolutely delighted so far. It’s been better than I expected.”
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright , pictured,claimed recently that there is only one top-six slot up for grabs, insisting that Celtic, Aberdeen, Rangers, Hibs and Hearts were guaranteed to occupy the top five places, but Lennon has been around the block too often to fall for flattery.
“It’s still too early to say because, if you look closely, teams are already to-ing and fro-ing with their form at times and any team is capable of putting three or four consecutive wins together. That’s just Tommy underplaying his own team. He’s good at that, Tommy; the wily old cat. For me, you’ve got the top three and the rest are fighting for the rest.”
Lennon’s former club, Celtic, tasted defeat for the first time in 19 months when Hearts thrashed them 4-0 at Tynecastle last weekend but he regards that as a blip rather than the crisis many others are hoping it is.
“Celtic will win the title – if theywintheirnextthreegames they’ll be 11 points in front heading into the new year and that’s a pretty nice cushion,” he said. “I know Aberdeen have found their form again so their game on Saturday should be very interesting to watch but Celtic will win the league; they’re the best team in the country still by a considerable distance.” ● Neil Lennon will be appearing on stage at the Royal Concert Hall along with Chris Sutton Thursday, 11 January 2018. For more information and tickets visit https://legendsof-football.com/events/january-2018/
HALF-TERM REPORT “We’re fourth in the league, having just been promoted. I’m absolutely delighted so far. It’s been better than I expected”
NEIL LENNON