Dominant Hibs left frustrated by Saints
NEIL LENNON bemoaned a lack of composure in his “outstanding” Hibernian side as they had to settle for a draw despite dominating for long stretches against St Johnstone.
The Easter Road outfit were forced to come from behind again after losing the first goal for the fifth consecutive league game since returning to the Premiership and had an own goal from Paul Paton to thank for earning a point.
Michael O’Halloran celebrated winning the player of the month award for August by netting his fifth goal in five games, but Lennon is adamant Hibs deserved more than they got at McDiarmid Park.
“Should we have won? That’s an obvious question,” said Lennon, who this week penned a new contract tying him to the club until 2020.
“We totally dominated all aspects of the game.
“It was pretty similar to the way we played against Dundee, but to come here and play as well as that, against a team that are street- wise and battlehardened, is great.
“We matched them physically and the football we played at times was outstanding.
“We had clear-cut opportunities and that pleases me more than anything else. The only thing that doesn’t please me is we didn’t take them.
“If we had shown a little bit more composure, I think we would have won the game. But I’m very, very happy, despite that.”
O’Halloran’s electrifying presence on the wing for Saints sparked two early attacks as his scything runs pushed the home side forward at pace.
On the first occasion, Paul Hanlon came to the rescue for Hibs when he cut out Stefan Scougall’s cut- back before Steven MacLean could capitalise and then efforts from Scougall and David Wotherspoon were snuffed out. Saints appeared to be building a head of steam but their Easter Road opponents relieved the pressure with a series of their own attacks.
Wotherspoon cleared from the foot of Simon Murray just after the striker had skewed a header wide from eight yards out. John McGinn then hit a right-foot shot too close to Alan Mannus.
Hi b s also created the first
opportunity of the second- half in the 47th minute, with Mannus saving well from Martin Boyle after the winger had played a neat one-two with Murray, but within seconds they were behind.
The hosts swept to the other end of the pitch where substitute Liam Craig engineered space on the left of the box and his low cross deceived there treating defenders for O’Halloran to hammer in from close range.
However, Hibs were only in arrears for 12 minutes. Murray raced into space on the left and his cutback from the bye- line was heading for the supporting Stokes before Paton stretched out a leg to intervene, However, he only succeeded in diverting the ball into his own net.
Thereafter, the Edinburgh outfit threatened regularly but couldn’t nick the winning goal.
“I’m happy to get a point, but not happy with the performance,” moaned St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright, who was also critical of midfielder Murray Davidson for declaring himself fit after illness before being forced off at half-time.