John McGinn to Celtic: Hibs manager Neil Lennon admits midfielder might not be at the club for Europa League tie with Molde
Lennon says he dreads McGinn leaving the Easter Road club – because he’ll be a big act to replace
NEIL LENNON admitted he DREADS John McGinn leaving Hibs – because he’ll be a big act to replace.
McGinn was a stand-out again as Hibs thumped Motherwell 3-0 – but with Blackburn joining Brighton and Celtic among the midfielder’s admirers, Lennon admits he doesn’t know if he’ll still be at the club for Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Molde.
Lennon said: “He’s the heartbeat of the team.
“He’s got that inner drive. He’s ready to kick on but he would leave a huge void for us and I'd dread it happening.
“He’s one of the best I’ve worked with in terms of what he brings to a team and the influence he has.
“I don’t know if that’ll be his last game. It’s going to be a fraught couple of days for him.
“The only bids we’ve had have been from Celtic and I’d be amazed if we don’t get more offers in.
“He was outstanding again – he’s at the peak of his powers at the moment.
“It’s a bit like the Van Dijk situation at Celtic – I couldn’t understand why nobody took a punt on him."
Stevie Mallan, Oli Shaw and Martin Boyle scored as Hibs cruised to victory.
Lennon said: “The performance exceeded my expectations, that’s for sure. I really enjoyed it considering we didn't do anything with the players on Saturday after getting back from Greece on Friday.
“There was a calmness about us and it was nice to have three goals spread around and a clean sheet as well.
“I was delighted with the players who came in.
“We call Stevie Mallan ‘Methadone Mick’ after the ‘Still Game’ TV character but his accuracy from free-kicks is fantastic. It must be a nightmare for goalkeepers but he’s got more to his game than just set-plays.
“There are going to be greater challenges ahead but we’re in a good place at the moment.”
Key men Darren McGregor and Flo Kamberi were rested but Lennon is hopeful they’ll be fit for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Molde.
He added: “Flo should be alright. He’s got a bit of fluid on the knee and he’d 90 minutes on a heavy pitch on Thursday so it flared up again.
“Darren’s got an ongoing problem – it’s difficult for him to fit in three games in a week. His knee was puffy this morning so we didn’t take a chance with him.”
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson promised he will have a new defender - to replace £1m Cedric Kipre - in place by next week’s game against Hamilton.
He said: “We didn’t pass the ball well enough in the first-half but there were only a certain amount of defenders we could put on the pitch.
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“I can’t do anything about only having two fit defenders but it’s something I have to rectify during the week.
“An incredible decision changes the course the game. I’m not saying we lost the game because of it but to get a yellow card when he’s turned his back on the ball and it’s hit his elbow?
“It’s a crazy decision and it has a big influence on the game no matter what way we dress it up. I don’t know how it can be classed as deliberate handball in any shape or form.
“It affects peoples’ livelihoods and it affects results. Against a very good Hibs team you don’t need decisions like that going against you.
“The positives are Danny Johnson who had two one-on-ones, he hits the post and has a legitimate goal disallowed for another handball, so some decisions had a big influence on the game."