Shrewsbury 1 Hibernian 4: Neil Lennon fires warning to rivals Falkirk after tearing League Two side apart
Neil Lennon's red-hot Hibees face Falkirk in Saturday's curtain-raiser, now unbeaten in pre-season friendlies
NEIL LENNON warned Championship rivals Falkirk that Hibs are raring to go after they ripped Shrewsbury to shreds.
Liam Fontaine, Grant Holt, Jason Cummings and James Keatings sunk the League Two side at New Meadow.
The new boss’s red-hot Hibees face Saturday’s Falkirk curtain-raiser unbeaten in pre-season friendlies and buoyed by their gallant Europa League display against Brondby.
Lennon beamed: “We’ve had excellent preparations. The two games against Brondby were great physically and mentally.
“You’re never fully up to speed until you get into the season but as pre-seasons go we couldn’t have asked for much better.
“There was a lot of quality against Shrewsbury. We got off to a really good start and played with real intensity.
“We could have won by more. We’re at a good level to be able to come here and play as well as that.
“I couldn’t have asked for more. We scored four great goals and looked a threat.
“I want to play like that next week if possible, with plenty intensity. Everything we’re asking of them they’re doing.”
Lenny fielded his strongest side without injured quintet David Gray, Fraser Fyvie, Marvin Bartley, Danny Handling and Dylan McGeouch.
They went ahead after four minutes when Fontaine headed Keatings’ free-kick in off the bar.
Two minutes later Holt stooped to power home a near post header after brilliant work by teenager Scott Martin.
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Former Motherwell and Dundee United winger Jim O’Brien pulled one back for The Shrews with a free-kick just outside the box in 55 minutes.
But Hibs restored their two-goal lead on the hour, Cummings capitalising on a slip by former Hibee Gary Deegan to slot home.
And three minutes later Keatings sent a Cummings pass looping over keeper Jayson Leutwiler.
Lennon was delighted with former Raith keeper Ross Laidlaw, who made a couple of excellent first-half saves, but he still hopes to sign new No1 Ofir Marciano.
The Israeli cap is expected in Edinburgh today and Lennon said: “Hopefully we’ll get it concluded. You are never happy until it’s done but if we can get that over the line it will be great.
“We’re pleased with Ross as well. In his two games he’s been outstanding.
“The plan is for Marciano to be the No1. He’s an international with good attributes but if that doesn’t work out I know I’ve already got a good goalkeeper in Laidlaw, who has put a marker down.”