Hanlon happy as Hibs answer doubters with win over Saints
Captain Paul Hanlon believes Hibernian answered a few questions from doubters with their commanding 3-1 win over St Johnstone on Saturday.
A cloud of disappointment hung over the Easter Road club after failing to reach the top six in the cinch Premiership.
However, nick mont go mery’ s side responded well in the first post-split fixture at mcdiar mid Park with a terrific early freekick from Emiliano Marcondes opening the scoring before 34-year-old Hanlon, on for the injured Will Fish midway through the first half, notched his 28th goal for the club in 561 appearances just before the interval.
Second-half substitute Dylan Vente netted a third after 76 minutes leaving Saints substitute Benjamin Kimpioka to grab a last-gasp consolation for the below-par Perth side.
Hanlon, making his first appearance in over a month, told Hibstv: “Obviously there were a few question marks around us about our mentality and what it would be like goingin to the game–ithink we answered some of those questions.
“We’ve tried our best to lift the spirits in the last couple of weeks and have tried to enjoy training that bit more – but there is nothing like winning a game of football on a Saturday.
“We knew how important this game was, not only for ourselves but for the fans as well, to send them home happy after a good win. The only disappointment was not keeping a clean sheet as that would’ve been the cherry on the top.”
Hanlon was more than happy to play his part in such a commanding victory. He added: “It was great, I absolutely loved being back out there. I have had to be patient this season in terms of getting minutes, and i’ ve needed to be as ready as I can when called upon. igott he shout to go on and it was great to contribute to a good win. The goal was an added bonus in what was a big win for us.”
Craig Levein struggled to take many positives from St Johnstone’s defeat but seeing his squad bolstered by two fitagain players offered some encouragement. Attacker Drey Wright came off the bench on the hour mark as part of a triple substitution to make his first appearance since October after a knee injury. Then in the 84th minute midfielder Cammy Macpherson was introduced for his first appearancesince november following a thigh problem before fellow substitute kim pioka scored the late consolation goal.
With four fixtures remaining, Saints are one point ahead of Ross County in the Premiership relegation play-off spot, with the Dingwall outfit losing 2-0 to bottom side livingston in West Lothian.
Levein told Saints tv: “It was a difficult game for those two to get minutes in. As a team we weren’t really fluent in our play, our passing, our attack.
“But yeah, to see them both on the field, we still have four games left and at some point in those four games, I’m sure they’ll be able to help us.
“We are in the same place as we were before the match with regards Ross County, so it wasn’t too damaging.
“But the fact that we didn’t pick up any points was the disappointment.”