TWO STRONGS MAKE A RIGHT
BETFRED CUP LATEST Lenny brings in Lithuanian bulk for Hibs’ attack on Premiership
NEIL LENNON insists new Lithuanian duo Deivydas Matulevicius and Vykintas Slivka will give Hibs the muscle power they need to compete with the Premiership’s big guns.
The Easter Road boss has added brawn to his squad in the shape of striker Matulevicius from Belgian’s Royal Mouscron and ex-Juventus midfielder Slivka after using burly Grant Holt to spearhead their Championship promotion bid last season.
Lennon believes the powerful Lithuanians – both standing at an intimidating 6ft 3 in tall – can help Hibs outmuscle their rivals as they end their three-year exile from the top flight against Partick Thistle next weekend.
Lennon said: “Deivydas and Vykintas will bring a physical presence. I think you always need that.
“Grant Holt gave us that presence at the top end of the pitch last season, especially when we got into the winter months and the conditions were a little bit more difficult to play in.
“Deivydas will fill that role. Slivka is a talented, technical player who has a goal in him and has good legs which you need.”
Lennon could not conceal his delight at netting ex-Juve kid Slivka on a three-year deal from the Serie A giants after initially agreeing a one-year loan stint. He believes the 22-year-old rising star will turn out to be a prized asset for Hibs. Lennon said: “My chief scout showed me some footage of Slivka last season and I liked what I saw. “It was too early to make a decision on him so we have kept an eye on him and he ended up being a free agent and we have got him on a three-year contract. “Hopefully he can adapt to the game and there may even be a resale value on him later on which for a young player, is what you are looking for. “I hope Slivka can settle and have a bit of stability in his career and perform as well as we believe he can.” Meanwhile, Lennon insists summer signing Danny Swanson isn’t trying too hard to impress for his boyhood heroes. The former St Johnstone
ANTHONY HAGGERTY
midfielder missed a penalty in the 6-1 Betfred Cup win over Arbroath and has picked up two bookings in two matches, ruling him out of today’s final Group D clash with Alloa at the Indodrill Stadium.
But Lennon did reveal he had a quiet word with Swanson after his yellow for a late challenge on Ross County’s Michael Gardyne.
Lennon said: “His last two performances have been exceptional. He still needs to get up to top speed, fitness wise, but I have been very pleased with what I have seen from him.
“I know the club means a lot to him and I have been conscious of that because sometimes you can try too hard but while that might have been the case early on I think he has settled in and his football is very good.”
Victory over the Wasps should see 2016 runners-up Hibs, who sit just one point behind leaders County, qualify.
He said: “This match against Alloa is all about sealing qualification. We put on a great display against Arbroath and we are looking good but I am not getting carried away.” Alloa boss Jim Goodwin hopes his men can bounce back after losing to Montrose in midweek. He said: “We have to be well organised and give a far better account of ourselves to take confidence into our league opener
with Raith.”