Lenny being in dugout takes the heat off me

WHEN Brian Graham was a young footballer trying to make his way in the game, he was given a piece of career advice he remembers to this day.

‘A very good mate of mine said to me: “When the fans start to sing that you are a w ***** , you’ll know you are doing something right”,’ said a grinning Graham.

Needless to say, the Hibs striker tends to feel like Lionel Messi every time he returns to his first club, Morton, where he spent five seasons in his formative years.

A tendency to score important goals against the Cappielow side while playing for Raith Rovers has ensured his standing in Greenock remains lower than a snake’s belly.

However, the presence of Neil Lennon in the away dugout today after the infamous Battle of Easter Road mass brawl between Hibs and Morton 10 days earlier promises to take the heat off the 29-year-old.

‘I got dog’s abuse the last time we played Morton and I suppose I will get it again this time,’ added the Easter Road forward.

‘But I always remember when I started out as a player, my mate told me when the fans started that chorus, then I would know I was doing okay.

‘When I was at Raith Rovers, I scored a goal against Morton when they were vying with Partick Thistle for the title, so that’s why I get abuse.

‘But it’s all good banter, part and parcel of the game. Will the manager take the pressure off me on this occasion because he will be getting the most stick (from the supporters)? Yes, probably.’

The Battle of Easter Road on March 29 kicked off when Morton striker Kudus Oyenuga launched a hideous late tackle on Hibs substitute Jordon Forster in the dying embers of a 0-0 draw.

As Lennon bawled out the Morton sub, Darren McGregor remonstrated with the forward, who fell theatrically, earning the Hibs captain a red card for ‘headbutting’ that was this week downgraded to yellow.

Oyenuga was sent off for his challenge and serves the second of a two-match ban today.

In the aftermath, Morton boss Jim Duffy confronted Lennon in his technical area before a mass brawl broke out, ending with both clubs, both managers, and Morton assistant manager Craig McPherson all being summoned to appear before the SFA on April 20.

As rivals from each team clashed on the touchline, there was no chance for Graham to swap tips on the finer points of tiling — of all things — with Morton midfielder Ross Forbes.

‘Yes, we did a tiling course together through PFA Scotland in January,’ explained Graham.

‘Actually, Ross wasn’t too bad at it. My brother-in-law has a tiling company, so I just thought I would go and have a look and perhaps think about that line of business when I have finished playing football.

‘But Ross and I didn’t get the chance to speak about it after the last game. What happened that night all happened so quickly and we were rushed down the tunnel and told to go to our dressing rooms. So I didn’t get to see anyone.

‘But the tiling course has been great. I do it on my day off. Playing football doesn’t last forever and it’s not as if myself and all the other guys here have played in the English Premier League and have become multi-millionaires.

‘Michelle Evans at PFA Scotland does a great job and regularly sends you newsletters every month about courses you can try.’

Hibs are nine points clear of Falkirk and 11 ahead of Morton, who have a game in hand, in the Championship.

Victory in Greenock today would take Lennon’s men a step closer to a Premiership return after three long years in the second tier.

This match promises to be a fiery encounter as the Battle-ofEaster-Road protagonists meet up again, with Lennon declining to confirm whether or not he will shake Duffy’s hand before kick-off.

But Graham insists winning the league is all Hibs are focusing on this weekend.

‘We have to be professional,’ he insisted. ‘What happened the last time happened. We can’t change that. But we have to fully focus on the football and keep cool heads.

‘It’s that time of the season when everyone in the dressing room wants to be playing, so it’s daft to pick up yellow and red cards.

‘Yes, everyone has been asking about what happened. Fans stop you in the street and ask what went on but, with all due respect, we will wait to see what the outcome is (on April 20 at the SFA) and take it from there.

‘I would love to go up to the Premiership with Hibs. This is the biggest club I have played for and it’s fantastic to come out for a home game and see 16,000 fans in the ground.

‘Everything about this club is great and I’m really enjoying my career at the minute.

‘A club as big as Hibs should be in the Premiership — but we have to earn it.

‘You don’t just get promotion because you are Hibs but, hopefully, we will get over the line soon.

‘It would be good to get it done as quickly as possible.’