Parker: Now I’ll get a good night’s sleep!
Hibs No.2 Garry Parker last night admitted that there was as much relief as there was joy after finally winning a game for the first time since October 6.
The Englishman was well aware of what the result meant for morale ahead of next weekend’s meeting with league leaders Celtic at Easter Road.
“A win is so important, just to give you confidence going forward – it’s a big weight off our minds,” he claimed.
“That was a massive relief for us. It was vitally important and now they can have a couple of days to get themselves together again and build for next week.
“They’ll feel better about themselves, of course they will. When you’re not getting results week after week it’s a case of sleepless nights – I’ve been having them, I tell you.
“Today we go away happy because we’ve won the game but we know there’s still a long way to go.”
Parker had been highly – and publicly – critical of the below-par performances of his players but insisted he wasn’t worried about a potential backlash over his comments.
“Not really, it needed to be said,” he stressed. “It doesn’t bother me one bit – I’ll tell them. And you could see a difference in Flo Kamberi today. He put himself about, had a few shots and their keeper has had a great save from him.”
Parker also argued that the changes made by manager Neil Lennon were critical in finally getting the monkey off their backs.
“I think the first half we did OK but the second half, when Emerson Hyndman came on, he changed it for us,” he said.
“Here’s a player who comes on and wants the ball. And when he is on the ball – moving it, passing it – it rubs off on everyone. You could see by the end that we were passing the ball about quite well and we deserved the goal.
“We’ve had a few players out but that is no excuse and to have him back on the park made a difference. Also Darryl Horgan, his contribution for the goal. The subs made a difference.”