A real Hibs hero is heralded by fans

When even the opposition manager is acclaiming Leigh Griffiths and saying that he’s ready for a call-up to the Scotland team then you get an idea how big a performance the striker delivered at Easter Road.

“Griffiths was a wee talisman for Hibs,” said Danny Lennon. “The future is bright for Scotland with young players like him coming through. He was the difference between the sides.”

Griffiths is still a Wolves player, but the chances of him ever going back there are slim. The chances of him remaining long-term at Easter Road is what the locals will be pondering, though. Not just fans but fellow players. Among them, club captain, James McPake.

“Their (Wolves’) loss is our gain,” said McPake. “Every time Leigh gets the ball you think he’s going to score. He’s buzzing. I’ve known him since he was 16 and he hasn’t changed a lot. You just need to know how to handle him, need to know how to speak to him.”

McPake was talking about the striker’s myriad discipline problems from last season. “He was hurting last season when Hibs weren’t doing very well. He couldn’t get why the fans were on his back because he’s a big Hibs fan himself. Is there anybody else he’d like to play for more in Scotland than Hibs? Not sure. This is where his heart is, I think. But if he keeps playing like that it could be hard for us to keep him.”

Keeping him has to be a priority now for Pat Fenlon. “We want to keep him and he wants to stay,” said the manager. “He’s a special talent at the moment. He’s a very, very good player.” One that the Easter Road crowd serenaded at the end. A new hero in their midst.