McGregor impressed by composed Ambrose
THERE is a joke doing the rounds that the smoke wafting across Tannadice on Friday night was not the product of a thrown pyrotechnic but the vapours emanating from a cigar held in the languid grip of Efe Ambrose.
Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster has called for an end to the senseless use of such paraphernalia but, while reiterating her stance, even she saw the funny side of the Ambrose gag on social media.
Amid a scrappy clash that saw ten players booked and featured a further two red cards, the on-loan Celtic defender was an oasis of calm, timing his tackles to perfection and using the ball cleverly.
No one was more impressed with the Nigerian’s performance than his defensive partner Darren McGregor.
‘I just give the ball to Efe and he does the rest,’ exclaimed McGregor, after a 1-0 victory that extended Hibs’ lead at the top of the table. ‘He can leave you on tenterhooks sometimes with the things he does but he has shown his class.
‘He has been at Celtic for many years, played in the Champions League and the Africa Cup of Nations.
‘He has come here and it’s a stroll in the park for him — or so he thinks!
‘It’s a difficult league, but he is composed and assured on the ball and that breeds confidence. He is a very good addition to the team.’
Manager Neil Lennon moved to land Ambrose on an emergency loan after losing both Paul Hanlon and Liam Fontaine to injury and already the partnership between the new man and McGregor looks a good fit.
‘He likes to pass it and I like to header it, so it’s a good combination,’ added McGregor. ‘But being a centre-half can sometimes be difficult when your partners are changing.
‘It has been me and Paul for the majority of the league campaign and Fonts has been there, too, and I was comfortable with those guys — and even Jordon Forster.
‘But that’s the second game I’ve played with Efe and I feel like there is already a bit of a connection, so hopefully we can build on it.
Jason Cummings’ winning goal earned a victory that widened Hibs’ lead over United to ten points.
McGregor added: ‘The gaffer was smart in his approach — he didn’t want to blow it up.
‘But I’d agree it was the biggest league game we’ve had in a few years.’