HIBERNIAN stalwart Paul Hanlon insists he is ready to fight fatigue to realise his Scotland dream.
Easter Road manager Neil Lennon described his players as "dead on their feet" following their hard-fought 2-1 victory against Dundee, having navigated a run of five games in a fortnight.
Lennon, ordinarily a tough taskmaster, will now afford his weary stars several days off during the upcoming international hiatus.
However, Hanlon will be on Scotland duty after receiving his maiden call-up to the senior set-up, busting a gut to win his first cap against The Netherlands on Thursday night and stake his claim for the troublesome centre-back berth.
Despite a hectic schedule, there is nowhere he would rather be.
“All the boys will get a few days' rest now, which is great for them,” he smiled. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way, I am looking forward to meeting up with the Scotland boys.
“It’s a real chance to go there and impress. I’m going to give it my best shot and hopefully catch the eye to get in future squads and get some game time.
“There are experienced players there who have played at the top level so I just want to learn from them and improve as a player.”
“I think I’m in the best form of my career, it always helps when it is at the same time the club are on a run of wins, you probably get more recognition and credit. I feel great going into every game and full of confidence.”
Indeed, Hanlon can report to Malky Mackay’s camp this morning in fine fettle after helping the Hibees to a fourth successive victory in the Premiership, however it was a more fraught afternoon than anyone would have envisioned after 63 seconds.
That is how long it took for the hosts to claim the lead through Martin Boyle, who robbed Lewis Spence before scampering forward and unleashing a superb low drive beyond the grasp of debutant Dundee keeper Elliott Parish.
However, instead of wilting, Neil McCann’s men battled back bravely and claimed a deserved leveller when a deep cross from Roarie Deacon was met by Marcus Haber, with the big Canadian directing a fine header beyond Ofir Marciano.
The Hibs custodian, however, would not be beaten again on Saturday. Somehow. He pulled off a simply miraculous save after the break, showing astonishing reflexes to deny a fizzing low drive by Faissal El Bakhtaoui from inside the box.
The flashpoint which dominated the immediate aftermath of this encounter occurred midway through the second half when a flailing arm from Hibs defender Ryan Porteous caught Spence, prompting a melee which ultimately involved around 10 players.
Amid the madness, Anthony Stokes appeared to strike Dundee’s Jack Hendry – or, in McCann’s words, "he punched him in the b****".
“I don’t think Jack would have gone down unless it was something,” said Dundee defender Cammy Kerr.
“But if he [Stokes] did do something, then that’s a decision that could have changed the game – as Stokes has put the ball in the box and they have scored."
Indeed, Stokes’ floated pass for Simon Murray was simply magnificent and allowed the prolific marksman to volley home his 13th goal of the campaign without breaking stride, moving Hibs to within two points of second-placed Aberdeen and sending Dundee into the international break rock-bottom.
“I’m standing here again thinking how well we have played – but we will go back on the bus with zero points again,” reflected Kerr.
“If we were camped in for 90 minutes, weren’t playing well or the boys were looking down in training, then it would be a bit concerning. But I can honestly tell you, we are doing everything right. Everyone in the dressing-room is positive that we will turn it around.”
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