SITTING PRETTY
Stunning late winner by Keatings has Hibs on the verge of top-flight return
THE Championship trophy, despite everything, is now tantalisingly close to being tied up in green-andwhite ribbons. And after all those slip-ups, false dawns and unsightly dressing-downs from manager Neil Lennon, what a thing of beauty it was which placed it very firmly in the clutches of Hibernian.
James Keatings has had to cope with being a bit-part player of late. Indeed, it took an injury to Andrew Shinnie’s shoulder to get him on the park in the dying moments of the first half.
With only four goals to his credit before yesterday, it has hardly been a vintage season. However, goal number five, which puts the Easter Road side ten clear of Falkirk and Morton, with just seven matches to play, is likely to make his strike return much more palatable.
With Hibs looking like taking their recent run to just one win in seven league matches, Keatings received a Brian Graham flick-on from a long ball upfield on the left, cut inside and released a rightfooted effort from the edge of the area which was only ever destined to end up finding its way inside keeper Robbie Thomson’s left-hand post and rippling the net.
Having set up Efe Ambrose’s 75th-minute opener, cancelled out shortly after by Craig Sibbald, it completed a fine afternoon for the former Hearts man and led to some genuine, yet constructively critical, remarks from Lennon.
‘It was a goal worthy of winning any game — he’s been due one,’ said the former Celtic boss.
‘The one that came to him two minutes earlier which he lashed at, hitting it on the volley rather than taking a touch, was symptomatic of his season. He’s a technician, Keatsy, and a good finisher. He has had to be patient and we’ve had to change the way we play a little bit.
‘We had to be direct as the pitch wasn’t great and I want us to be direct because I think we overplay at times. We all want to play super, nice football, but it doesn’t get you results.’
Results are what it is all about now and Lennon, relentless and demanding, is exactly the type to drive the team over the line.
Despite the pivotal nature of events in the second tier yesterday, he made it clear what he expects of his players as he ran through more of those who secured this victory.
Martin Boyle? ‘If he had an end product, he wouldn’t be playing in the Championship,’ said Lennon. ‘I thought he was outstanding apart from the easy bit — trying to find a team-mate on the end of a cross.’
Dylan McGeouch? ‘An important player when he is fit but he needs to stay fit if he is he going to have a significant input in football,’ said his boss. ‘He has creativity and good feet but we’ve not seen enough of it and he needs to add to his goal tally. The same with Fraser Fyvie.’
Marvin Bartley? ‘We know he is not a great technician but he was a driving force and does the dirty work well. But we need more goals from midfield. If we go up, I will be looking for more from that department because we cannot keep relying on Jason Cummings.’
Hibs couldn’t be accused of a lack of fight. From the outset, the tone was set with Luke Leahy crunching into Boyle and the first of several pushing matches breaking out.
In truth, this game, played in that Leith sunshine they so often sing about, had so much going for it. The only complaint, really, is that it took a while for the proper goalmouth opportunities to arrive.
Cummings bent a first-half free-kick just wide and Boyle saw a goalbound shot blocked by the head of Lewis Kidd inside the area early in the second period.
Just when it looked like Hibs might be imposing themselves, Falkirk carved out two glorious chances. On 54 minutes, John Baird fired wide after latching on to a beautiful pass from Bob McHugh, who then saw an angled effort saved by Ross Laidlaw.
Cummings and Boyle had penalty claims waved away by referee Kevin Clancy before Ambrose opened the scoring. The Nigerian ghosted into space inside the box to connect with a fine free-kick from Keatings and there was no way Thomson was ever going to stop his downward header.
The lead he had provided, though, lasted all of two minutes. Aird fired in a corner from the left for Falkirk and Sibbald produced a header that squirmed between Laidlaw and the near post and crossed the line. Game on. Again.
It wouldn’t be long until it was Game Over, though. And if that is the title race now over, too, what a magnificent goal it was to end it.