TURNING Hibernian from insipid to inspired in a matter of days is the task Neil Lennon faces this week. The Hibs manager did not miss his players after the 1-1 draw against Raith Rovers at Stark's Park, labelling them "disgraceful", "embarrassing" and "insipid".
It may have seemed harsh given that his team came back from a goal down to earn a point through a Jason Cummings' free-kick to move seven points clear at the top.
After all, this was always going to be a perilous game. Forget that Raith had lost their previous six league games, the fact that John Hughes had arrived in their dug-out a few days previously changed everything.
Lennon knew that the former Easter Road manager would have his players wound up for such a game and maybe a point was as much as he could have expected.
But there is no harm in hammering his players in the press ahead of a Scottish Cup replay against Hearts at Easter Road on Wednesday, knowing it will more than likely provoke a positive reaction.
There was also no surprise in the fact that Ryan Stevenson, a former Hearts player, chose this game to score his first goal for his new club.
He believes the team can build on this result and start to climb up the table.
"With the new manager just coming in we wanted to play as well as we could and we also wanted to pay the fans back after the long, disappointing run of results we've had," the midfield player stated.
"We knew it would be a hard game. Hibs are the best team in the league and they have the best players but we took the game to them and, all in all, it's a good point for us and something we can build on.
"I've seen my fair share of managers come and go throughout my career but I didn't really know that much about John Hughes, however he's been top-notch since he arrived.
"I've been really impressed with him. He lets you know exactly what he wants from you on the pitch.
"It was difficult for me when Gary Locke left as he brought me to the club and I'm good friends with him but the new manager's been first class.
"He's helped to pick the players up after a bad run. The training's been great and he's left no stone unturned."
Ayr United earned the most unlikeliest of points in a 2-2 draw at Dumbarton. Down to 10 men after Ross Docherty was sent off in the first half, they trailed to a Sam Stanton double after 90 minutes.
But a free-kick from Michael Rose and a penalty from Craig Moore earned them a point had manager Ian McCall admitting: "I didn't see it coming and it could be a vital point
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