Pat can re-ignite Hibs, Lennon

Aug 17 2012 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

FORMER Hibernian midfielder Danny Lennon believes Easter Road gaffer Pat Fenlon is set to awaken a sleeping giant ... but is hoping to catch tomorrow’s SPL opponents napping before that happens.

Fenlon took over the reins at Hibs last season after successful spells with Shelbourne and Bohemians and has also enjoyed a stint in charge of the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21 team.

Despite a difficult season in the SPL, he took Hibs to a Scottish Cup semi-final.

And Lennon reckons his old club will be a tougher nut to crack during this campaign.

He said: “Hibs are a massive club and have the history to prove it.

“They were the first Scottish club to play in Europe and, in the Famous Five, possessed arguably the greatest ever forward line in the history of Scottish football. But this is the here and now and they have been down in the doldrums for a few years.

“I think Pat is the man to bring back the good times to the club. He has had a massive turnaround in personnel since he took over but, in the likes of Leigh Griffiths and James McPake, he has two cracking players.

“He is now, slowly but surely, starting to put his own stamp on the team.”

Lennon can also see similarities between Fenlon’s early days at Easter Road and his own in Paisley.

He said: “We both had to try and get the best we could out of the players we had inherited.

“It’s not easy and managers need time but it’s not always something you are given.

“I watched the Edinburgh derby last week and thought that Hibs played well. They certainly deserved their point.

“In saying that, they were dismantled a bit by Dundee United in their opening game of the season.

“I expect a tough game against them but wouldn’t be too unhappy if Pat has to wait another week for his sleeping giant to re-awaken!”