Hibs boss Neil Lennon hails Jason Cummings despite red card

Neil Lennon hailed Jason Cummings as 'priceless' last night after his goal earned victory in what the manager claimed was Hibs' most important league match in years.

Hibernian's Jason Cummings is sent off following a second booking. Picture: SNS

But Lennon could also have added “senseless” to describe his striker after Cummings was sent off with 14 minutes left after punching the ball into the net and having been booked just three minutes earlier.

Lennon, who was later sent to the stand for persistently leaving his technical area, was in forgiving mood.

“Jason was stupid and he knows that, he’s feeling remorseful – but he’s won me the game,” said the Hibs manager.

“He has gallusness about him and he has to learn because he’s let his mates down for the last ten or 15 minutes while we were in complete control of the game. He’s a young lad and has to learn, but he’s a great talent. He’s a big game player.”

Cummings is now suspended for next weekend’s home clash against Dumbarton.

Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon criticised referee Don Robertson for the second yellow card shown to Lewis Toshney and which saw the home side play the majority of the game with ten men. “The sending off changed the game and having seen it again Lewis has pulled out of it and hasn’t touched him [Andrew Shinnie],” he said.

“It’s difficult enough playing with 11 men against Hibs, never mind ten.”