Lennon fury as Hibs’ ‘amateurs’ fall short
FURIOUS Hibernian boss Neil Lennon slammed his players for their ‘amateur’ performance as they crashed out of the Irn-Bru Cup at home to St Mirren.
Alex Harris had given the hosts the lead in the first-half before Stevie Mallan equalised minutes later with a fine 25-yard free-kick.
Saints substitute David Clarkson’s deflected shot eight minutes from time sealed their place in the quarter-finals.
New manager Jack Ross, who ended his reign at Alloa yesterday in their Cup win at Bala Town, will arrive at his new job in Paisley with the players on a high.
But Lennon was left puzzled by his team’s display and described the defending for St Mirren’s winning goal as ‘nonsense’.
‘We were in control of the game in the second half,’ he said. ‘St Mirren’s second goal is from our own errors. There was no thought process into what we were doing. It was an awful goal to concede.
‘There’s not many positives to take. I changed the formation to give some players an opportunity but I’m not sure they took it.
‘There is a nervousness about them at the minute. I don’t know what the reason is.
‘The first half was insipid. The second half was better but we missed chances. We have to take them.
‘We scored but then switched off. To be fair to Mallan, it was a brilliant free-kick — but we should have never got in that position in the first place. We let St Mirren back in the game — it’s ridiculous.
‘In the main, I’m not getting what I want from the players. It’s something we need to address.
‘Maybe it’s a mental thing. It’s definitely psychological. They look like they lack urgency.
‘We’re losing to St Mirren at home and that shouldn’t be happening. The team I put out today I expected to get a good performance from them and I didn’t. Some of them are hiding at the minute.
‘St Mirren’s second goal was nonsense from our point of view. It’s amateur stuff. It needs to stop. Senior players, as well, with no thought about what they’re doing.
‘Maybe I need to look at myself to see what I’m doing wrong.’
Hibs made the breakthrough eight minutes before the break.
Harris was allowed too much room on the left before he fired a shot past Saints keeper Jamie Langfield at his near post.
But credit to St Mirren who fought back and equalised in stunning fashion four minutes later.
Hibs were furious with referee Willie Collum after Dylan McGeouch was judged to have fouled Rocco Quinn. Mallan was the man with the responsibility and he produced the goods. A wonderful effort from 25 yards flew past Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano and into the top corner.
As Hibs stepped up the pressure in the second half, Saints were not exactly rattled but Langfield’s right-hand post certainly was when McGeouch’s rocket shot from 25 yards came back off the woodwork with the keeper beaten.
Lennon introduced striker Jason Cummings and midfielder Marvin Bartley on 69 minutes as Hibs searched for a second goal.
But they were punished when Saints took the lead.
The ball fell to Clarkson in the box. His shot took a deflection and the ball trundled into the far corner as fellow substitute Lawrence Shankland moved towards the ball. The linesman raised his flag for offside but Collum allowed the goal to stand.
Saints’ interim boss Allan McManus said: ‘The boys stuck to the game plan. Their heads didn’t go down when Hibs took the lead.
‘We weathered the storm and I thought our game management was magnificent.
‘The best thing is for the team to get a result today and to have confidence when the new manager comes in.’