HANLON HAILS HIBS’ FIGHTING SPIRIT AFTER UGLY VICTORY

PAUL HANLON reckons Hibernian proved their battling credentials under new boss Paul Heckingbottom with an uncharacteristically ‘ugly’ triumph over stubborn Livingston.

The 29-year-old readily admits Friday night’s 2-1 triumph in West Lothian was brutal to watch as both sides cancelled each other out for long periods, with the first half peppered with aimless aerial bombardments.

However, Hibs turned the screw after the break and finally broke the deadlock courtesy of Hanlon’s maiden goal of the season before Stevie Mallan doubled the advantage with a fine solo strike.

An injury-time Ryan Hardie penalty ensured a nervy finale, but Heckingbottom’s charges held firm to make it 16 points from a possible 18 in the Premiership under the Englishman and all-but assure their top-six status.

The display was night and day from the silky showings in recent weeks — but Hanlon takes plenty of pride from the hardfought win.

‘If you look at our previous game against Motherwell, we played a lot of nice football. We built it out from the back, played through the lines and got runners forward,’ said Hanlon (above). ‘But some games will be completely different.

‘We didn’t manage to do that on Friday, Livingston stopped us, but we still found a way of winning and that’s the mark of a good team — if you can win ugly when it’s needed.

‘We had to dig deep and it wasn’t the easiest on the eye, but it was just about getting the three points.

‘It’s always difficult at Livingston. There were limited chances and they stopped us from playing. All credit to them for that. But we dug deep, kept going and got two goals in quick succession.

‘We probably made it a bit difficult for ourselves by conceding the penalty but it was a great win in the end.’

Hibs face Kilmarnock on Wednesday night before a mouthwatering Edinburgh derby against Hearts next Saturday ahead of the split.

And Hanlon is adamant the sky is the limit if they can continue their blistering league form.

A late charge for a European place is far from outlandish, given Hibs’ recent results.

‘Between now and the end of the season it will be all the teams around us that we’re playing, so it’s all to play for,’ said Hanlon. ‘Every game seems to get bigger and bigger.

‘It will be a really exciting end.’