Johnson hits bar after Hibs six-y football
Lee Johnson reckons Hibs’ six-goal rout over Aberdeen has set the bar for the rest of the season.
But he expressed sorrow that the ruthless performance cost rival Jim Goodwin his job.
After a swashbuckling display against dismal Dons, the Englishman praised his players for handling the pressure and executing his gameplan to perfection.
He said: “It was a brilliant performance.
“It’s lovely when a plan comes together – and today it did. The boys were outstanding.
“Our first-half display definitely sets the bar in terms of playing forward, breaking lines. In my mind’s eye, that’s how I want my teams to play.
“You can’t always score six but you need that attacking intent.
“We also have to keep bringing the young lads through. Three academy products including Josh Campbell put in really good performances.
“I’m proud of everyone at the club because it was a big performance for a number of reasons.”
Goodwin was sacked minutes after the final whistle but Johnson has backed the Irishman to make a quickfire return to the game.
He said: “I shook his hand – I know Jim, I’ve played against him a number of times.
“It’s a ruthless business, this game.
“I’ve been on the end of scenarios like that myself – but he’ll be fine.
“He’s a good manager with a good track record and he’ll get another job quickly.
“But I want to talk about Hibs, and the plan, and the plan coming together in terms of the performance.”
Johnson singled out scorers Will Fish and Kevin Nisbet – and fears hat-trick man Campbell won’t be short of suitors after his display.
He said: “I’ll be turning my phone off for the next few days – just in case anyone comes in for him.
“I love Josh. For me he’s the perfect player – industrious, fit as anything, brave.
“We talked on Friday about him getting three or four more goals before the end of the season to set him up as that real box-to-box No.8 or industrious No.10.
“He’s nearly done it in one game!
“I feel proud of him. As an ex-midfielder myself I took him under my wing and tried to improve.”
Johnson revealed Nisbet is the designated penalty-taker but he gave up the chance so Campbell could get a chance at his treble.
“It was really unselfish of Nizzy,” said Johnson. “I’m not sure I would have given away the penalty if I was him.
“But you could see the stealth in Josh’s eyes that he knew he was going to score.”
Nisbet got on the scoresheet just days after rejecting a move to Championship side Millwall. He started on the bench but scored a breakaway moments after coming on.
He said: “When Kevin gets the bit between his teeth he’s got a laser focus to score goals.
“He rang me up on Friday and said: ‘I’m coming back and want to start’.
“I believe he’ll be here beyond Tuesday – there’s nothing bubbling away that I’m aware of.
“We wanted to play forward early.
“We knew Aberdeen would press us in a certain way.
“I thought Will started us off really well with that – he was outstanding.”