Neil Lennon has hit out at Craig Levein’s claim that the natural order has been restored after Hearts won their first match against Hibs in ten attempts.
A late goal credited to Don Cowie separated the two Edinburgh clubs in a Scottish Cup tie at Tynecastle with Levein milking the win for all he could muster.
The Hearts boss was involved in a late flash-point when he raised his hands to Hibs winger Martin Boyle but Lennon refused to take the bait and get involved.
Why do Craig Levein and Austin MacPhee turn into The Kray Twins any time a ball goes into their technical area? @JamTarts @CraigHazell pic.twitter.com/NEgxjFgxnm
— G.M (@McCutcheon14) January 21, 2018
After the match Levein declared that the natural order had been restored with Hearts winning the derby prompting Lennon to fire right back.
“What does that mean, restoring the natural order?” The Sun reported the Hibs boss saying.
“I don’t understand that. What is the natural order? Is it Hearts beating Hibs every time? It’s just a crock of c***, it’s pretty poor.
“It’s a pretty poor statement to make and I think it’s disrespectful to my club, and my players and me.
“And we have got two more games to come so we will see if the natural order is restored then.
“That’s not good. I don’t know what he means by it but they have not won in nine, this is my first defeat in five, we also should have won the league game here and they got lucky.
“There’s a lack of humility in that statement. I don’t think I have ever made a statement like that.”
Hibs are currently five points ahead of Hearts in fourth place in the Premiership after 22 matches.
The two teams are next scheduled to meet on March 10 at Easter Road with Lennon determined to ensure that his side finish their return to the top flight ahead of their city rivals in the SPFL table.