Something has got to give in race for second, says Hibs boss Neil Lennon

NEIL LENNON last night hailed his players for keeping themselves in the race to finish second until the death.

Hibs’ hopes of bagging the runner-up spot in their first season back in the Premiership were boosted by yesterday’s draw with Aberdeen.

They sit three points adrift of the Dons and two behind Rangers with two games remaining.

Their next one is an enormous Edinburgh derby on Wednesday night.

But, whatever happens over the next seven days, their manager reckons his stars have proved themselves worthy of mixing it with the best in the country.

“That’s all you can ask from the players really, it’s seven points out of nine, post-split. That’s a tremendous return,” he said.

“There’s another huge game on Wednesday, but then Rangers and Aberdeen have to play each other, so you expect something to give there.

“Then Rangers come to us and Aberdeen go to Celtic, so it’s still all to play for.

“It’s a great statement of intent from the players – not just for the present but for next season – that they can compete at the highest level in this country.”

They certainly did that at Pittodrie.

Lennon’s side were combative from the start against the Dons – and could have claimed an early lead had Jamie Maclaren not missed from the penalty spot.

They had to content themselves with a point.

But, overall, Hibs’ gaffer was happy with the way his side went about the game, from start to finish.

He said: “I’m delighted with our performance and I’m delighted with the mentality of the team.

“I thought we were strong and resolute when we had to be, and we should have won the game.

“We had two great chances. I know Aberdeen hit the bar, but the threat they posed was mainly from set plays, which I thought we dealt with.

“In the throes of the game I thought we were very good, very strong.

“We’ll go back with a point, which could have been a bit better, but we certainly never looked like losing the game.”