Houston hands it to Hibernian

FALKIRK manager Peter Houston last night handed the Championship title to Hibs after seeing his side sunk by an injury-time goal from James Keatings at Easter Road.

Neil Lennon’s side now sit ten points clear of the Bairns and Morton, who lost 1-0 at home to Dunfermline Athletic, with just seven matches of their season left to play.

And, although Morton could reduce that to seven by

winning their game in hand, Houston believes the race for the trophy is now as good as over.

‘This more or less guarantees Hibs it,’ said Houston. ‘Of course, nothing is guaranteed in this mad world of football, but it has put them in a very strong position.

‘Hibs can only lose it now.’

Lennon found it impossible to disagree. He believed his players showed a winning mentality by hauling the three points out of the fire and preventing themselves from going seven league games with just one victory.

‘That may be a huge goal in the context of the season,’ he conceded. ‘It’s in our hands now. There is no question of that.

‘Even if Morton win the game in hand, there is still a significant gap, but we’ve still got a bit of work to do. I think, psychologically, it was huge for us after dropping points last week (to Dumbarton).

‘It was nice to win the game in the manner we did because we haven’t done that as often as I would like this season.

‘It’s testament to the fitness and character of the team. Their mindset is strong.

‘It was really important to win and, with Morton losing, it could be a pivotal day in the run-in, so I’m absolutely delighted.’

Hibs had taken the lead through Efe Ambrose with quarter of an hour to play before Craig Sibbald levelled two minutes later. Sibbald was beaten to the ball by home goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw in the dying moments, sparking the move that led to Hibs’ winning goal, and Houston admitted it was hard to take.

‘Craig is almost on the end of a long ball over the top and he couldn’t nick it over the keeper,’ he said.

‘They go up the park and get the break. That’s two weeks in a row we have lost and not deserved to lose.’