Topsy-turvy Hibs drive Lennon crazy

NEIL LENNON last night revealed Hibs’ topsy-turvy performances are driving him crazy.

The Hibees were on fire as they swept Ayr United aside to book a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals. Lenny is delighted to be there. But the Hibs gaffer is puzzled by his players’ inability to replicate their Cup form in the Championship – a competition he insists is the priority.

“I thought we were very good against Ayr,” said Lennon. “It was an emphatic performance – and it’s driving me mental.

“In our last three Cup games we have been spectacular. In our last four league games we have been below par.

“I’m very excited, I’m very proud of the players. We’re in a semi-final, but I would swap it for promotion.

“That’s a Championship team we’ve beaten today and, no disrespect, it could have been five or six. We were really strong.

“We need to park the Cup now and concentrate on getting promotion.

“But we are in both competitions, we are having a hell of a season.

“Our standards drop now and again, but the players are giving me everything.”

The Hibees have dropped nine points in their last four league games whilst turning in stunning performances in knockout games.

As a result, Lennon believes his players are subconsciously fixated on retaining the Scottish Cup.

“They are determined to keep the Cup,” he said. “While that’s important, for us to develop as a club we need to be in the Premiership.

“But we need to earn the right to be there. We need to try and get them to take on board what it means to win games.

“You’re not always going to do that playing fluffy football.”

Lennon does recognise his players have put the club in a strong position in both league and Cup.

But, as a winner, he demands they see things through to the bitter end.

“We’re still seven points clear and in the semi-final, so maybe I’m being a bit hard on them at times,” he said.

“They’re doing alright – but we’ve won nothing yet.”