Hanlon urges ‘unplayable’ Griffiths to save Hibs before ban kicks in

Paul Hanlon has urged Leigh Griffiths to hit his “unplayable’” best in the coming days and help ensure Hibs remove themselves from their relegation battle with Dunfermline before the pair are due to square up next month.

Easter Road manager Pat Fenlon was hugely critical of referee Craig Thomson’s decision to caution Griffiths for simulation in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock and insisted TV pictures proved the on-loan Wolves striker was brought down by Michael Nelson.

The booking means the 21-year-old hero of the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen will be banned for the potentially-pivotal encounter with Dunfermline Athletic at Easter Road on 7 May.

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Hanlon admits the former Dundee and Livingston youngster will be sorely missed by the capital club, who passed up the opportunity to haul themselves to within touching distance of safety with Sunday’s loss but remain six points ahead of Dunfermline with a vastly-superior goal difference.

Nevertheless, the Scotland under-21 skipper is hopeful Griffiths can peak at the right time against St Mirren on Sunday and Aberdeen next Wednesday to make sure that Hibs can look forward to their eagerly-anticipated Scottish Cup final with Hearts with the comfort of SPL safety secured.

Hanlon, who is on duty with the young Scots ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Italy at Easter Road, said: “We’ve got four massive league games between now and the end of the season and our main priority is to be in the SPL next year. That’s the main focus for everyone at the club.

“Sunday was frustrating. The game itself was frustrating. Kilmarnock didn’t have any real chances in the game apart from the penalty and we’re disappointed we never put one in the back of the net at the other end. I think we deserved at least a point from the game and it was a major disappointment that we got beaten. I just heard this morning that Leigh is going to miss the Dunfermline game. That’s a major blow for us. He’s been brilliant for us in recent weeks and when he’s on top form he’s almost unplayable, so hopefully he can put two good performances in between now and then and we’ll be looking to try and be safe by the time we play Dunfermline.

“It’s just up to him to keep playing well for us and then we’ll try our best without him.”

Players from both Hibs and Hearts are currently trying their best to talk down next month’s cup showdown at Hampden as they bid to keep a lid on the excitement and Hanlon has confessed the match is off limits within his Hibs-supporting family as well as they try to cope with the already building nerves.

However, with their top-flight place still hanging in the balance with four league matches remaining, Hanlon believes there is plenty to focus the minds of him and his team-mates.

He added: “My family are all Hibs fans. They’re just trying to keep the cup final out of their minds.

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“Their nerves will get too much for them if they keep thinking about it.

“They’ll all be going through to Hampden for the cup final. It’s a massive game for us.

“I’m just concentrating on the league game and, when I’m here, concentrating on this Italy game for Scotland.”

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