Natural order is restored...
JOHN McGARRY Allan wonder goal sets the Leith men on their way to derby glory and leaves Levein heartbroken
NEIL LENNON wrestled back the ‘natural order’ from Craig Levein in Edinburgh last night after goals from Scott Allan and Jamie Maclaren saw Hibernian dump fierce rivals Hearts at Easter Road and move 12 points ahead of them in the SPFL Premiership table.
RARELY considered a contender for the diplomatic corps, Neil Lennon has spent the past week with his lip bitten and a straight bat in his hands.
A strong believer in saying things that need to be said, how tempted must the Hibs manager have been to take Craig Levein to task over his assertion that ‘natural order’ had been restored virtue of Hearts’ Scottish Cup win in January? Hugely, you would imagine.
In the end, though, his forbearance was duly rewarded following superb second-half goals by Scott Allan and Jamie Maclaren. By full-time last night, actions didn’t so much speak louder than words as hit the mute button.
If Levein may have had a point in the historical context of this fixture then, without question, Hibs are currently capital kings. In six derbies since taking charge at Easter Road, Lennon has lost but one. There is no argument about who rules the roost.
Now 12 points clear of Hearts, Hibs are now focused on leap-frogging Aberdeen into third than looking over their shoulders at a Hearts side whose place in the top-six looks far from certain.
A game typically high in effort and adrenaline but low on quality was settled by two moment of supreme quality.
Allan’s sumptuous low strike just before the hour mark came just as Hearts were beginning to believe the most unlikely of victories might not be beyond them. Maclaren’s clincher into the same spot settled the affair with ten minutes remaining.
There was never any question of Lennon approaching this one with throttle anything other than fully engaged. With a close to full complement at his disposal, the attacking verve of Martin Boyle and Allan supplemented the twin strike force of Flo Kamberi and Maclaren.
Levein didn’t have such luxuries. Deprived of five probable starters, there was a threadbare look to his side with teenager Lewis Moore drafted in alongside lesser-spotted right-back Marcus Godinho.
What ensued initially was fast, frantic and far from easy on the eye. Referee Bobby Madden did well not to penalise any of the multiple ankle nips with a booking.
Godinho saw plenty of the ball in advanced positions but did not do enough with it.
One incisive pass did reach Michael Smith, however, with Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano grateful for Darren McGregor’s low block.
Already pushing square pegs into round holes, only 14 minutes had expired when Levein was required to think again. Harry Cochrane over-extended himself while crossing and was replaced with another 16-year-old in Anthony McDonald.
However, as the midway point in the first half arrived, the expected Hibs siege had yet to materialise. If anything, Hearts looked the team surer of themselves.
Lennon’s men did remind the watching audience of their threat with a well-worked corner involving Scott Allan and John McGinn.
It ended with the latter dropping his shoulder and letting fly from the edge of the box with his right foot. Jon McLaughlin, in the Hearts goal, watched it fly just over.
Christophe Berra then had to time a tackle on Allan in the area to perfection. He did just that. But Hibs were finding their rhythm.
Boyle epitomised this with a graceful run from right to centre which left three maroon jerseys in his wake. This time the Hearts keeper saved low to his right.
A carbon copy of that forward surge threatened to end with the winger dinking a pass through to McGinn. Godinho’s outstretched leg came to Hearts’ rescue.
It was a moment which summed up the opening period; Hibs unable to pick the lock. Hearts resolute. After seeing another goal-bound strike repelled by John Souttar, Boyle would attest to that.
The visitors offered more than just stoic defending, though.
Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith looked dangerous on the counter. McGregor did well to block one of the former’s venomous strikes at the expense of a corner. The sight of Marciano flapping at a routine cross encouraged the visitors as Madden put the whistle to his mouth.
Smith became the game’s first booking three minutes after the break for clipping the McGnn’s heels. Lafferty was fortunate not to follow suit for wrapping his legs around McGregor.
You sensed Hearts fancied this. Not just one point but three.
Godinho coming close to controlling a Naismith pass while in the centre-forward’s role spoke of their ambition.
But just as they began to believe this might be their night, Hibs struck. Seeing that his men were sitting too deep, Lennon encouraged them to push up the park.
Paul Hanlon took that as a signal to morph into a left-winger.
Showing the most delicate of touches to control the ball, the Hibs captain lifted his head and picked Allan out. The midfielder had one thing on his mind. Taking one touch to steady himself on the edge of the box, he guided the ball into the bottom corner to leave McLaughlin helpless. How Lennon enjoyed the moment.
Suddenly, Hearts were on the ropes. Maclaren came close to adding to their misery with a run and shot that McLaughlin tipped onto the underside of the bar.
Hearts grew increasingly anxious. Naismith choked when one-on-one with Efe Ambrose, then he drilled a strike off McGregor’s frame.
All debate as to the outcome was removed as the 80th minute came up. Gathering the ball eight yards out, Maclaren bobbed and weaved until a corner of the net opened up through a forest of legs. When it did, he seized his chance, curling his foot around the ball and sending it outwith McLaughlin’s grasp. Game over. Argument won. HIBERNIAN (4-4-2): Marciano; Ambrose, McGregor, Hanlon, Stevenson; Boyle, McGeouch (Swanson 90), Allan (Bartley 74), McGinn; Kamberi, Maclaren (Whittaker 88). Subs not used: Bell, Rherras, Shaw, Porteous. Booked: Marciano. HEARTS (4-5-1): McLaughlin; Randall, Souttar, Berra, M Smith (Henderson 83); Godinho, Naismith, Adao, Cochrane (McDonald 15), Moore (Amankwaa 62); Lafferty. Subs not used: Hughes, Buaben, Hamilton, Callachan. Booked: Smith. Referee: Bobby Madden. Attendance: 20,166. Man of the match: Scott Allan.