Hibs’ midfielder John McGinn believes that Neil Lennon is certain to be a contender for this season’s ‘Manager of the Year’ award.
Lennon took over from Alan Stubbs in 2016 after Hibs’ Scottish Cup victory and since then he has guided the club to the Championship and a potential second place finish in the top flight with four games remaining.
Hibs face on-form Kilmarnock at Easter Road on Saturday before travelling to Pittodrie the following week. A midweek Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle is then followed by a home fixture against Rangers.
They currently sit fourth, three points behind both Aberdeen and Rangers.
European football next season looks likely although a Motherwell victory over Celtic in the Scottish Cup final could mean that only the top three would qualify.
Speaking after Saturday’s memorable victory over Celtic, McGinn said: “The manager’s been a huge part in that but so was Alan Stubbs before him.
“He changed the dimension of the club, made it a lot more professional and the gaffer here has carried it on.
“You can see the real progression in the football club by how many people come through the gates — and if it keeps going at this rate then they’re going to have to put more seats in.
“The manager’s a certain contender for the manager of the year award.
“I think with our budget, we’re probably about fourth or fifth, so if we go finish higher than that then I don’t see why it’s any different to Stephen Robinson, Steve Clarke or all the managers who are doing well for their clubs.
“The way we played against Celtic in front of a great crowd, these are the games you want to play in. I think we really thrive on that.
“What you need to do against Celtic is not let them play higher up the park. You noticed that with Rangers last week.
“Obviously we respect Celtic because they’re the top team in the country but you have to try to implement your strengths into the game.
“That was what the manager drilled into us all week. He was very meticulous in trying to stop Celtic building from the back, trying to nick the ball high and then break on them. Thankfully it worked.
“We could have been a few more goals ahead but Hibs being Hibs we made it difficult for ourselves in the end.
“There were a few dead bodies but we managed to get across the line.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
