Lennon reads riot act to Hibs’ shot-shy strikers
NEIL LENNON ripped Hibs’ shot-shy strikers apart after they drew a blank against Queen of the South.
But the Easter Road gaffer insists his hitmen have put themselves back together in time to hit the goal trail against Dundee United.
Lennon slammed his attacking players’ inability to convert chances after his side missed a golden chance to claim top spot in the Championship last weekend.
In United, they will today face a side with their own designs on promotion.
And Lennon reckons his blast has got the reaction he was looking for from his newly fired-up front men.
“It’s a manager’s prerogative sometimes to criticise his players,” said Lennon. “I think these days we get really sensitive when managers come out and have a go at players, but when I was playing it was par for the course and you took it and said: ‘I’ll show you.’
“Sometimes what you want is a reaction.
“I think we could have created more chances, even with 10 men, away from home against Queen of the South.
“I thought our play in the final third could, and should, have been better and I’ve got every right to voice that opinion.
“When they play well I’ll praise them to high heavens.
“But I’ve got a good reaction. I’ve got a good bunch in there. I don’t think they’re over-sensitive and I don’t think they sulk too much either.”
Jason Cummings was singled out after missing two golden chances at Palmerston, but Lennon insist she only did so because he knows the 21-year-old can take it.
He said: “I know I was critical of Jason, he knows he didn’t play well and his reaction is he shrugs his shoulders and says, ‘I’m ready again’.
“There are some players you have to deal with a little more softly, softly. But I tend to treat players all the same. If there’s something I’m not happy about I won’t be shy in coming forward to tell them.
“If there’s something I am happy about I won’t be shy in coming forward to tell them that either.
“This is football. Are we going to hold their hands all week?”