Lennon: Win was as good as beating Barca
Neil Lennon hailed Hibs’ win over Rangers as being “up with Barcelona” as the greatest achievement of his managerial career.
In 2012 Lennon led Celtic to their historic Champions League win over the Catalans at Celtic Park, a match remembered for Tony Watt’s wonder goal.
And after watching the Edinburgh club make light of their injury concerns to record their fifth win of their last seven games against the Light Blues, he said the pride he felt in his players was at a similar level.
“In the context of my time as manager here with Hibs, it’s the best result I’ ve had, no question,” he said.
“In my managerial career, under the circumstances with the injuries, it is right up there with Barcelona.
“I have Paul Hanlon out, Darren McGregor out, Steven Whittaker out, David Gray out then we lose Brandon Barker.
“So I’ve got Lewis Stevenson, who is a leftback playing at centrehalf, I have John McGinn playing left wing- back, Martin Boyle playing right wing- back. I’ve got two strikers who haven’ t played together and I have Scott Allan making his second debut.
“It’s an incredible performance and all the plaudits should go to the players. They were amazing today.”
Rangers manager Graeme Mur ty, by contrast, was bitterly disappointed as he felt Hibs winner, from a penalty awarded for a James Tavernier foul on Scott Allan, should never have stood.
“Of course I’ve got an argument with the penalty. Am I going to say it out loud? Probably not,” he said
“Tavernier said it was the softest thing he’s ever seen. Add the expletives where you like.
“I asked him, ‘Have you put your hands on him’. He said, ‘No’.
“It’s a penalty. There’s nothing you can do about it now but it’s a lesson to us all that if you get into that area, the last thing you want to do is let the referee be a factor in the game.”
Meanwhile, Murty says he couldn’t believe his luck that he has been able to pick up Scotland youth international Glenn Middleton.
“He’s an exciting player who I’ve known for a long time and I was really surprised when I heard he was going to leave Norwich, a bit shocked to be perfectly honest,” he said.
“I got straight on to the phone and we made it happen.
“He’s desperate to be here, he’s a passionate Rangers fan and he ticks lots of boxes.
“He’s an exciting, pacy, left- footed player who can beat people and finish.”