HIBS ON THE BRINK OF LIFTING TITLE BUT IT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE
BARRING the kind of collapse which even the wildest imagination would struggle to conjure, Hibs will be crowned winners of this season’s Championship. It could be confirmed today, if results go in their favour. But, even with a return to the Premiership now all but wrapped up, this campaign has been far from plain sailing. In their previous two seasons in the second tier since relegation in 2014, Hibs finished with 70 points. On each occasion, it was good enough to comfortably clinch a play-off spot. However, it was also a long way off the winners; Hearts with 91 in 2015, and Rangers 81 last year. With four games left and a maximum of 12 points still up for grabs, Neil Lennon’s side have 61 points on the board. It’s not inconceivable they could win the title this year with fewer points than when they finished second in 2015 and third last season. Whatever happens, this season’s winning total is certain to be a good deal lower than previous seasons. Similarly, the team who finish bottom (currently Ayr United on 31 points) are guaranteed to finish with more points than the team who finished in last place in each of the past two years; Cowdenbeath (25) in 2014, and Alloa (21) last time around. Curiously, Hibs have lost only three league games this season — the same number of defeats as Hearts when they romped to the title in 2014-2015. But it’s the number of draws which have seen them stumble towards the finish line. In their last ten league games, Hibs have won just twice, with seven draws and a loss. But it’s all relative. If they beat Queen of the South at Easter Road today and Falkirk drop points at home to St Mirren, the only thing that matters will be the (C) placed alongside Hibs’ name in the table. ‘This league is not the cakewalk everyone expected it to be,’ said Lennon. ‘It’s improving
— and the big clubs being in it over the past few years has brought out the best in the other teams. ‘Last season, Rangers were a big scalp and so were Hibs. But for Rangers to be in the Championship for a second year says a lot about this league. ‘Look at St Mirren lifting themselves off the bottom, scoring six goals against Ayr and then winning 4-1 away from home against Morton, who were sitting third. ‘There’s not a lot between most of the teams.’ In the past six weeks, St Mirren have beaten Hibs, Dundee United and Morton. Manager Jack Ross has produced a remarkable transformation — and they will travel to Falkirk looking to complete a top-four clean sweep. The Buddies are the form team, but Lennon insists he won’t be keeping an eye on events at Falkirk. ‘I can’t control that. Garry Parker (assistant manager) will be nipping my ear about it and, if the result isn’t going the way I want it to, it will put me in a bad mood.’