Leith club to trim managerial shortlist
HIBERNIAN will this week step up the search for Neil Lennon’s successor by cutting down a long list of potential candidates.
Caretakers Eddie May and Grant Murray were again in charge for yesterday’s home defeat to Aberdeen but the club wish to make a permanent appointment within two to three weeks.
Hibs’ former Scottish Cupwinning boss Alan Stubbs has already gone public with his interest in the job but it is understood the search will extend to take in a number of candidates with no prior connection to Easter Road.
The names of Scotland Under-21 boss Scot Gemmill and former Ipswich and Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst have been discussed as the club prepares to commence talks with suitable candidates.
Hibs severed ties with Lennon by ‘mutual consent’ last Monday after he was suspended in the wake of a team meeting at the club’s East Mains training ground.
However, defender Lewis Stevenson last night admitted that old failings continue to haunt Hibs.
Stevenson conceded that a lack of creativity — a persistent complaint of Lennon’s — was the main failing in yesterday’s 2-1 reverse.
‘All season we’ve needed to be better in the final third, and that’s still the case,’ sighed Stevenson, the club’s longest-serving player.
‘But it comes from everyone, not just the strikers. The midfielders and the full-backs as well, we need to create more quality for the strikers.’
Meanwhile, Derek McInnes was last night sweating on the fitness of three key players ahead of a ‘pivotal’ midweek clash against Rangers at Pittodrie.
Aberdeen go into Wednesday’s match with an opportunity to leapfrog the Ibrox club into second place in the Premiership table.
Goalkeeper Joe Lewis and top scorer Sam Cosgrove were both forced off injured at Easter Road. Defender Scott McKenna missed out with a hamstring complaint.
McInnes hopes Cosgrove’s back injury will respond to treatment, while Lewis — who needed stitches after colliding with a post — will be given every chance of making it for the visit of Steven Gerrard’s team.
‘These two league games, today and Rangers, could prove pivotal,’ said McInnes. ‘I’m hoping Lewis and Cosgrove will be okay. Joe has a gash above his eye but he seems eager to play.’