Master Neil Lennon schools his Hibs apprentice David Gray as Dunfermline cup tie exposes issues

Dunfermline Athletic pulled off a fourth-round shock on live television at a packed East End Park. This 1-0 win was a glorious afternoon for the Championship side, who for too many years have been on the outside looking in. Beating top-flight opposition was a reminder of what can be achieved in Fife.

The wily Lennon got his tactics and team selection spot on. His players were aggressive, energetic and fearless, led by captain and monstrous centre-half Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen. Debutant forward Olly Thomas ran his heart out. Goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet stood tall when required. And the Pars also got the rub of the green when it really mattered.

A close match looked for all the world that it was going to extra time. But in the 92nd minute, Dunfermline defender Kieran Ngwenya sent a header goalwards from a corner kick and the ball struck the unwitting Hibs midfielder Miguel Chaiwa and trundled towards the bottom corner of the goal. Keeper Raphael Sallinger twisted back across his line but couldn’t keep it out. Cue limbs.

Dunfermline fans popped out of their seats in joy. Some even popped out of the stands to spark a mini pitch invasion. It was the perfect moment to break the deadlock. Hibs had no time to respond.

Lennon took the acclaim of the Dunfermline fans at the end. It’s not been an easy time for the 54-year-old, who lost his father last month. No doubt Gerry would have been looking down with a beaming smile on his face.

Pride for Lennon, anger for Gray

Some eyebrows were raised when Lennon answered the Pars’ SOS call last season when flirting dangerously with relegation. The former Celtic manager kept them up and then signed up for the current campaign. He has assembled a young squad packed with potential but inconsistencies, hence why they sit fifth in the Championship. But boy are they playing for Lennon. The manager was understandably proud of his players.

It was an opposite emotion for Gray. This was a sore one for the Hibs head coach, who was Lennon’s skipper at Easter Road between 2016 and 2019. He gambled with his starting XI, leaving out in-form midfielder Dan Barlaser and giving club captain Joe Newell his first start for more than a year. Martin Boyle was named as a sub following a recent hamstring issue. Defender Grant Hanley also dropped out.

Not that the issues were necessarily at the back. Dunfermline’s front line was kept largely in check. A set-piece looked the only way the Pars would score. But further up the pitch, this match was another exhibit of their issues. The midfield lacks creativity and the only dangerous creative outlet comes out wide in the shape of Jamie McGrath or Nicky Cadden. If Hibs want to improve their squad during this transfer window, a playmaker should be top of the list.

Gray was let down by players such as Chaiwa and striker Thibault Klidje, who don’t do enough in matches. Klidje headed straight at Mehmet during the second half from a great position but his striking partner Kieron Bowie, who was more involved, missed an even bigger sitter just before half time when he bore down on goal only to finish weakly, allowing the Dunfermline keeper to save.

Understandably, the Hibs fans did not take this defeat well. They were one of the principal candidates for this trophy. Those that remained at full time loudly jeered the players. This was also another match when an ugly trait of Gray’s 18-month tenure reared its head: the concession of a late goal. Sitting fifth in the league, this defeat stung.

What also hurt was an ankle injury to midfielder Josh Mulligan on 35 minutes. He is Hibs’ most influential player and Gray will keep everything crossed that the knock is not serious. As he admitted afterwards, it takes a lot to keep the 23-year-old down.

Not many had given Dunfermline a chance pre-match but Lennon said after the event that Gray’s team selection had given him hope. He clearly anticipated more of Hibs’ big guns in their starting XI. His opposite number did not believe he had significantly weakened his team by bringing in internationalists such as Rocky Bushiri and Klidje.

Lennon won the debate by virtue of the late, late goal. He will now hope this result acts as a springboard as Dunfermline bid to reach the promotion play-offs. A bout of soul-searching awaits Gray and his Hibs players.