DISGRACEFUL!
Lennon fury at ‘unprofessional’ Hibs as they are held by struggling Raith
FURIOUS Hibernian manager Neil Lennon last night labelled his side a ‘disgrace’ after they were held to a draw by Championship strugglers Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park yesterday.
The two points dropped meant the league leaders missed the chance to move nine clear of second-placed Dundee United.
Former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson gave Raith — who remain without a win in 15 matches — the lead early in the second half before Jason Cummings quickly equalised.
But the ‘unprofessional’ performance left Lennon raging as his team prepare for Wednesday’s Scottish Cup fifth-round replay against city rivals Hearts at Easter Road. ‘We were a disgrace,’ said a fuming Lennon. ‘I didn’t even celebrate our goal. We were insipid, disrespectful to the opposition and ordinary. Everything we had last week (against Hearts in the Cup) was missing this week for the first hour.
‘We’ve given an hour start to a team that hasn’t won in 15 games. The last half-hour was great, but that’s not what I want.
‘It was unprofessional. We are going for the title and the reason we haven’t been promoted out of the league is because the players are complacent.
‘You have to earn the right to play and we didn’t. If the players think they know better than me, then good luck to them.’
Asked if his players’ minds were on the Scottish Cup replay this week, Lennon replied: ‘That’s an easy excuse. We had a chance to go nine points clear. I’m pleased we’re seven clear. But we’ve had too many draws for my liking and not enough quality or leadership.
‘Raith wanted it more than us. Am I angry? F ****** right I am. Some of them will not play on Wednesday.’ FORMER HIBEE HUGHES HOPES TO KICK ON WITH RAITH: PAGE 8