LENNON HAILS HIBS’ STRONG MENTALITY
NEIL LENNON praised Hibs for showing mental strength to grind out a Scottish Cup fifth-round replay against arch rivals Hearts. Lennon was delighted his side managed to keep a grip on the trophy following a disciplined display in a hostile atmosphere and on a dry, rutted Tynecastle pitch which made passing football impossible. ‘We were very good,’ said the Hibs boss. ‘It was impossible to play any kind of cohesive football on the pitch, so we had to play the pitch the right way and we did. ‘We were strong defensively, we could have taken care of the ball a little bit better in the final third — but I thought we were excellent. There was nothing between the teams. We showed our pedigree today on a big occasion, the mentality of the team was very good. ‘I am very pleased with my team and to come here and play like that against a Hearts side who were rampant in their previous two games says a lot. There is nothing between the teams and now we are taking them to Easter Road. ‘We might have a slight advantage because we are at home but Hearts are a team that are fourth in the Premiership and we are in the Championship and I was very impressed with what I saw from my boys.’ A veteran of Old Firm derbies, Lennon savoured his first experience of the capital equivalent and added: ‘I know what it means to both sets of supporters. It is not the Glasgow derby but it’s an excellent derby — and I felt quite relaxed during the game.’ Hearts crafted two firm chances at the start of each half, Esmael Goncalves and substitute Bjorn Johnsen unable to beat recalled Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano. After three games unbeaten, however, Ian Cathro insists his side will have no trepidation over an Easter Road replay next Wednesday despite crashing out after a second match at the same stage last season. ‘We have our frustrations from not being able to do entirely what we wanted to do and we will just look forward to that game coming around and the next chance to do it,’ said Cathro. ‘I think what we saw was a game which was a typical derby. Lots of breaks, lots of stoppages, lots of fouls and the game fails to come to life really. ‘The way the game was, the stoppages, it just broke all the time. It’s difficult with the atmosphere and the whole sense of what the derby is. We needed to try to play past that a little bit better. I’m somebody who loves football. I think we could have played more of it.’