McGinn won’t rest on his laurels as Hibs strive for second spot

WHILE the bar has been set high, John McGinn insists it is not out of reach. To the Hibernian midfielder, Neil Lennon’s desire to be the best of the rest next season is a challenge to be embraced rather than feared. McGinn’s excellent contribution to the Easter Road club’s promotion push was yesterday recognised with receipt of the Ladbrokes Championship Player of the Season award. There will, however, be no chance for reflecting on a job well done when league action resumes on August 5. Lennon is demanding Hibs do far more than make up the top-flight numbers. Speaking earlier this month, the Leith manager claimed that, with the right preparation, his side could be Celtic’s closest challengers next time around. To do so will require a bold leap forward, but McGinn believes Hibs have the capability to back up Lennon’s words. ‘Yes, I think it is realistic,’ he said. ‘It’s not going to be easy. As expectant as the manager is, I think we are understanding that there are still good teams up there. ‘Aberdeen have been consistently strong over the past two seasons, Rangers will rebuild — a club that size always will. ‘And so will Hearts. They’ve got rid of a few boys yesterday. They will recruit well, but so will we. ‘We already have a good nucleus of players who know what it takes to get results. The manager has raised his expectation levels, but we’re confident we can go and do it.’ A whirlwind of passion, Lennon does not believe in making life easy for those under his command. ‘The manager isn’t your average punter,’ noted McGinn. ‘He wants the best out of us. He was very hard on us throughout the year. ‘At times he got really frustrated with us, but he knows what we can do and that’s why we are so confident we can put down a real marker next season. ‘He has mentioned a few times how it is a really good group and there is a really good work ethic at the club. We are keen to get to the standards he wants us to get to. ‘We are ambitious players and we want to get to the highest levels we can and achieve that with Hibs.’ McGinn, who joined Hibs after leaving St Mirren in 2015, had already been named PFA Scotland Championship Player of the Year. He expressed delight in gaining a similar accolade from the sponsors. ‘It’s good to get personal recognition after achieving what we have attempted to achieve over the past three seasons,’ he added. ‘My team-mates have been brilliant all season and they don’t get the credit they deserve. ‘A few of them are as worthy, if not more so, of getting the award.’