HIBS midfielder Stephane Omeonga has accused Scott Brown of saying ‘some really bad things’ during Sunday’s fiery clash with Celtic.
But the Belgian insists he relished the chance to take on the Hoops skipper and his champion team-mates in the goalless draw at Easter Road.
Omeonga enjoyed a ding-dong battle with Brown as Hibs spoiled Neil Lennon’s return to the capital and potentially prolonged the Parkhead side’s title celebrations beyond this weekend.
The 23-year-old has revealed the former Scotland captain lived up to his reputation for trash-talking against his old club.
But the wind-up merchant failed to get the same reaction from Omeonga as he did with red-carded Alfredo Morelos in last month’s derby against Rangers.
The on-loan Genoa player said: “I enjoyed the game, I enjoyed running and getting some balls back and running forward and just helping the team to get that result, it was a good one.
“It was a great battle in midfield with Scott Brown, obviously everyone saw it.
“I’m happy I had the chance to play against that kind of team and that kind of player.
“We all know him [Brown] and he said some really good things about me on the pitch… I’m joking! He said some really bad things!
“But it was good, it was a good football game.”
PLEASURE
The point stretched Hibs’ undefeated sequence since Paul Heckingbottom took over as manager to nine league games and kept them in the hunt for a fourth-placed finish that could earn European qualification.
Next up is Sunday’s Edinburgh derby against Hearts and Omeonga believes the Easter Road side will take on their bitter rivals with burgeoning confidence, particularly after their 2-1 win at Tynecastle earlier this month.
He added on Hibs TV: “It’s just a pleasure to be on the pitch and just to do what the gaffer asks us to do. Even at the training centre, it’s just a pleasure to work that way.
“I just hope it will keep that way to the end of the season.
“If we approach all the games that are left the same way [as Sunday] I think we can achieve a good thing at the end.
“Of course I am looking forward to the derby. If we won the one away we should definitely win the one at home.
“It would be a great gift for the fans because they deserve it.”
