Ryan McGivern says doubting Pat Fenlon ‘madness’

Ryan McGivern insists it would have been “outrageous” for anyone to have doubted manager Pat Fenlon’s position at Hibs during Saturday’s stunning Scottish Cup semi-final win over Falkirk.

With goals from Craig Sibbald, Jay Fulton and Blair Alston giving the First Division outfit an astonishing 3-0 lead after just 29 minutes, it appeared Fenlon’s job was on the line as he desperately attempted to inspire a second-half comeback.

A failure to make the top-six and with the first-half Hampden display bringing back painful memories of last year’s embarrassing capitulation to city rivals Hearts in the final meant it was inevitable there would be question marks over the Irishman’s tenure. A superb strike from Alex Harris sparked a famous victory that was secured by Leigh Griffiths’ ferocious extra-time winner and McGivern was firm in his backing of Fenlon.

The on-loan Manchester City full-back said: “I don’t think anyone can say the manager’s job was in question. He’s done a terrific job since I joined and, although we haven’t made the top-six and that’s disappointing, we’re in the final, with a chance to end the season on a high. We can still do that by having five good games in the SPL to finish as high as we can and then the final.

“The manager has brought in plenty of players and things take time, so it’s outrageous if anyone was talking about his future.”

McGivern knows, however, that Hibs will not get away with beginning their May 26 final with Celtic the way they started at the weekend. “We’ll need to perform better for a full 90 minutes in the final, but maybe we can do that and get some silverware.”