Hibs boss Neil Lennon demands more from his players despite moving into top four
A Paul Hanlon goal was enough to give them victory at Ross County
Hibernian boss Neil Lennon saw his side climb into the top four of the Ladbrokes Premiership - then warned rivals they can get better.
Paul Hanlon's first-half goal earned the Edinburgh team a 1-0 win at Ross County and the clean sheet pleased their manager as much as anything.
Victory in the Highlands moved Hibs just two points behind St Johnstone and Aberdeen and came on the back of their Betfred Cup quarter-final win against Livingston which secured them a semi-final crack at all-conquering Celtic, who they visit next weekend on league business.
Lennon said: “I am frustrated at times because I know we can play better.
“If we had drawn here I would have been sticking my head in the oven because in our last three games in the league against Dundee, St Johnstone and Motherwell we've been the better team for the majority of the game and created clear-cut chances and not taken them.
“Every time we go away from home at the minute the opposition goalkeeper seems to come away with the man of the match performance. The difference this time was we kept a clean sheet. One of these days it will flow and we will win the game more comfortably and I can sit down and enjoy it.
“It was important to win because we hadn't since Ibrox (on August 12). That gets us comfortably in the top six, so it's been a good week with a semi-final place secured.”
Frustrated Ross County boss Jim McIntyre feels, despite just one league win so far this season, they will turn around their fortunes, with bottom-placed Kilmarnock next up for his 11th placed side, who are just one point better off.
He said: “We are not far away and that's why we are encouraging the players to keep being brave.
“I would be more annoyed if we don't keep trying to do the right things and they start shipping their responsibilities for whatever their roles are in the team. They are not doing that, you can see that. We need to help ourselves out by defending better when the ball comes into our box and equally take our opportunities.
“I have the belief that this team will get the break and get that win. We have put a run together every season we have been here and I fully expect us to do it again this season. It's just about confidence and getting the job done."