Hibs’ Leigh Griffiths to be fit for Killie

By DAVID HARDIE
Published on 26/02/2013 12:00

Hibs boss Pat Fenlon is confident top scorer Leigh Griffiths will be fit for tomorrow night’s SPL clash with Kilmarnock.

The Scotland striker was forced to limp out of the action midway through the second half of Sunday’s match against Dundee United having fired Hibs into a 2-1 lead with a stunning shot, taking his tally for the season to 18.

The sight of the 22-year-old being replaced by Eoin Doyle immediately raised fears regarding his fitness, not only for tomorrow’s game but Sunday’s William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final against Killie at Rugby Park.

Fenlon, however, has played down those worries, revealing that Griffiths, who was seen nursing a knock in the first half at Tannadice before playing on, is expected to be ready to face the Ayrshire outfit.

Describing Griffiths’ performance in the draw with United as “exceptional”, the Easter Road manager said: “Leigh has a bit of a dead leg but it’s not too bad. He should be okay.”

Nevertheless, Hibs fans aren’t likely to breathe easily until they see their talisman take to the pitch tomorrow, Griffiths’ importance to the side underlined by the fact he has scored exactly half of the Capital club’s league goals this season.

Having endured a barren spell by his standards, with just two goals in 13 matches, the on-loan Wolves star has now struck in each of Hibs’ last three games.

While Griffiths’ performance on Tayside drew widespread praise, Fenlon was keen to 
emphasise the team effort, 
delighted to have seen his side return to form in their away matches against St Mirren and United. He said: “Leigh was exceptional but I thought as a team we were very good.

“We’ve picked up four points out of six at difficult venues – now we have to make sure we make that count.”