BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
NEIL LENNON has lambasted his “sloppy” players after Hibernian slipped to a shock 1-1 draw against Ayr United.
The Honest Men arrived in the capital without a win in the league since October 22 but turned in a stubborn, dogged display against their underwhelming hosts, claiming the lead after four minutes thanks to stunning solo strike by Rab Crawford.
While Hibs equalised thanks to Jason Cummings’ 15th goal of the season, it was Ayr who were celebrating come full-time – while Lennon was left weighing up whether to wield the axe ahead of next weekend’s Edinburgh derby in the Scottish Cup.
Lennon said: “It was a very poor performance in the first half. Ayr’s goal just summed it up . . . if we had backed off any more we would have been in the away end! Awful, just awful.
“We should be winning these games. I’m frustrated by the sloppiness, the decision making and the final ball. If you take Jason [Cummings] out of it then you are looking for who will step up.
“I’m giving people chances to play and they are not taking the opportunities.
“Does it give me food for thought ahead of the Hearts game? Yes, it does. I’m sick of talking about the game next week – it’s not top of my agenda and it shouldn’t have been for the players. I’d prefer for my players to be at it from the start against Ayr, and I didn’t feel we were.”
Ayr boss Ian McCall added: “Quite obviously, Hibs deserved their point, but I really don’t think they cut us open too often and to concede so late – and with a preventable goal – is disappointing.
We could have been cuter on the counter-attack, but if you had offered us a point before kick-off we would have taken it.
“We won’t be judged on games like this – although I wish we were – we’re unbeaten at Easter Road!”
