SENTINELCELTS

Morning,all.

I really don’t know where to start with this match report. We never got going and rarely looked like scoring. Yet,for a goalless draw,it was actually a decent enough game.

From a neutral point of view,that is. From mine,it was garbage for almost all of the 90+ minutes I had to endure. I’m sure most of you felt the same. The only highlight of the day for me was that I was sitting next to a couple of Hibs fans of my acquaintance who continually bad-mouthed Neil Lennon.

Apparently,he lay down to Celtic when he was their manager. I pointed out that while giving them back their long-lost league credibility,he had won two,lost two,drawn two against us. And undefeated against us at home.

“But what about the cup?”,asked one. “Fuxake,he wisnae even yer manager then!”

Educating pork,fun for all the family. Shows you how widespread and vicious the unreasoned hatred of Neil Lennon is.

To the game,then. We started appallingly badly,allowing Hibs four good chances early on. We couldn’t quite get into our stride,and the first half saw few proper chances created by us. Ollie had a decent shot well saved,but he did little else of note,bar passing the ball to the opposition.

As Scott Brown was guilty of pretty much the same,it was left to Callum McGregor to put out the fires. I doubt that was his intended role,the way the side was set up,with Jonny Hayes and James Forrest playing wide,was crying out for Callum in a more forward position. It didn’t work out that way!

Some of the Hibs players were a tad over-enthusiastic in their tackling,and the referee-who was otherwise doing well-could have been a bit more timely with his cards. The first didn’t arrive until nearly half-time,for another off-the-ball go at our captain. Scott had clearly had enough of being kicked by Omuenga,and caught him hard but fair on the touch line. Kambieri showed his disapproval-and courage-with a hard push in the back.

Four other Hibs players were to follow him into the book as the agricultural approach much beloved by all of our opponents continued.

Fifteen minutes into the second half saw the introduction of Tom Rogic for the woeful Ntcham. I don’t know what it is with him,he has all the attributes but has been bloody awful this season. If he doesn’t improve dramatically next season,he can forget about the big clubs calling.

Tom gave us a better option up front,with Callum moving back alongside Scott Brown,whose game suddenly took a turn for the better. Callum still managed a screamer on target a few minutes later,but Hibs full-back Gray got his head in the way of it. The effects finally percolated through to his brain about fifteen minutes later,and he was led off with suspected concussion!

With Scott Sinclair then coming on for Hayes-who had been one of our better players,I thought-we tried to up the tempo,but Hibs were still hitting us on the break,and only a fine stop from Scott Bain kept us level. Having said that,his opposite number,Marciano,was landing some knockout blows of his own,with top saves from Eddie twice,Forrest and Kris Ajer leading to the spoils being shared.

Once again,we had flattered to deceive for most of the match,and once again,we had pinned our hopes on a late flurry. Once again,it was in vain,as we had to settle for a third goalless draw in our last six league matches. I don’t know what the answer is to our malaise in front of goal,but it appears that Neil Lennon doesn’t either. That has to be a cause for concern.

Overall though,we have to take the positive,which is a nine point cushion with only four games left. Yes,it is difficult to watch-and bloody difficult to write about!-but that’s the way it goes. Grind out the title and hope for better days.

They can’t come soon enough!

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Above article by BMCUWP. Put your opinions in the spotlight,mail them to Mahe for Article of the Day.

sentinelcelts@gmail.com