Lee Johnson has dedicated Hibs' win over Motherwell to the fans as he hailed key duo Kevin Nisbet and Aiden McGeady for their key roles at Fir Park.
The Easter Road side went into the huge game in need of a big three points after a terrible run of form that resulted in a major slump in the league. At one point they sat as high as third place but went into the showdown in Lanarkshire looking over their shoulders at the relegation play-off spot.
Hearts hammered Hibs 3-0 in the Edinburgh derby going into this one but a Nisbet star of the show performance lifted the doom and gloom around Leith with the travelling support sent home with smiles on their faces. The Scotland international - just back from a long-term injury - netted a hat-trick in a five-goal thriller to lift the Hibees to within one point of the top six and just six points off the Jambos in third.
READ MORE: Kyle Magennis reacts to Lee Johnson's Hibs comments after Hearts defeat with 'came out worse' reply
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Speaking to Hibs TV after the 3-2 triumph, Johnson said: “Well first and foremost, it’s a win and it’s a great win for us. That one is for the fans by way of a bit of apology for what happened earlier in the week.
“The fans were fully backing us and were absolutely superb today. The boys fully deserved it and we celebrated in the changing room as staff and players after what has been a tough week.
“The boys were excellent today, they didn’t lack any confidence going into the game which was really important. We had a lot of football IQ on the pitch today, maybe not quite the fitness levels that we normally have but a lot of knowledge and intelligence."
On the game and the involvement of his key duo, he added: “The three goals were great goals, the disappointing bit was the second goal we conceded which made it a wee bit edgy for the last couple of minutes.
“I’m looking forward to watching all the goals back. Sometimes you don’t appreciate the quality of the goals in the heat of the moment.
“It is fantastic for Nizzy himself, it just goes to show that when we get our main players back and the more minutes we get into their legs it shows we can be really successful.
“McGeady has done really well to come back as well - the more minutes we get into his legs the better.
“It was a big game, a big win. It nudges us closer to where we want to be, and further away from where we don’t want to be.”
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