Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon makes cheeky gesture to Hearts fans as they have last laugh with Shankland double

Scottish Sun

17 hours ago

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LAWRENCE SHANKLAND was at the double for Hearts as he dished out harsh capital punishment for the Pars.
Two expertly dispatched second half penalties turned the game for Derek McInnes' side - with Neil Lennon a classic pantomime villain for the home fans.
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Lawrence Shankland celebrates his second goal
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Lennon makes gesture to Hearts fans after Dunfermline equaliser
Credit: X formerly Twitter / @PremSportsTV
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Stephen Kingsley makes it four
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
Oh yes he was.
A quickfire James Wilson opener was levelled by a Josh Cooper effort before Shankland got involved and then sub Stephen Kingsley netted a fourth in added time.
Blinding sunshine greeted the teams in Gorgie for one of the most eagerly awaited Premier Sports Cup group ties.
Two proper managers of real pedigree and while separated by leagues each still sharing big ambition for their clubs.
The conditions were absolutely sweltering - and Hearts were on fire in the opening few minutes.
Shankland - buoyed by his new deal - at the heart of it.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes gives the inside story of his management career in part 1 of exclusive interview
The frontman's superb right foot curling shot from outside the box beat a diving Mehmet but came off the inside of the far post.
Kid class Wilson, though, was on it instantly and clinically finished with a right foot shot into the ground from six yards.
Amid a temperature in the 80-degree mark, the Pars already looked like they were melting.
Ex-Hibs boss Lennon got absolute dog's abuse from the Hearts fans 10-feet away behind him at the front of the main stand - baited for fun throughout the entire game.
Hearts, however, were impressive in the opening half hour in front of almost 13,000 fans; short, sharp passing and great movement and a clear threat with Wilson and Shankland.
It was a seriously punishing spell for the Championship side, constant chasing in the searing heat.
The Pars first moment of threat for Hearts came in the 36th minute with a free kick in good position but Cooper's ball into the box wasn't picked up.
Seconds later Hearts broke up the pitch and fired the ball across the face of goal with no takers.
Lennon bit back at the boo-boys and wind-up merchants with a few teasing gestures.
But that was nothing compared to his explosion of joy and smugness soon after as his side stunningly equalised in the 38th minute.
Cooper did brilliantly well to get possession and then dart across the edge of the box before unleashing a low right foot shot which beat a sprawling Zander Clark at his near post.
Cue Lennon turning on his heels with a massive grin, cupping his ears to the silenced Hearts fans.
It was top class whataboutery and fair play to Lennon. Even some of the Jambos supporters were laughing.
But for counterpart McInnes there was nothing to smile about. Instead, he was disgusted his side had let their control slip.
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Shankland netted two spotkicks
Credit: Alamy
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Neil Lennon watches on from the sidelines
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
It gave tenacious Dunfermline a huge lift and they enjoyed their best spell of the half - tireless with their pressing, a bit more meat in their tackling and far more belief.
The superb travelling support - a 1,600 sell-out - chanted Lennon's name lustily and he responded with a raised hand.
Dunfermline finished the half the better side and there wasn't a peep from Lennon's detractors as the sweat-soaked players went up the tunnel at half time.
The Jambos fans, instead, were more concerned with their own team who had stunningly lost their way after a belter of a start.
Dunfermline were a credit; robust in defence, determined on the break.
It was a struggle for Hearts to penetrate a dogged visiting defence.
And virtually all of the pressure was on the hosts.
Yet, with 15 minutes left of normal time they were suddenly presented with a gift to go back in front - Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen's weak touch back to Mehmet was pounced on by Forrest who went past a diving Mehmet but went down.
Ref Lloyd Wilson had no doubts it was a penalty.
Shankland stepped up and sent Mehmet the wrong way.
Hearts sub Elton Kabangu was only on for a minute when he won another spot-kick, going down after turning Pars skipper Kyle Benedictus who left out his leg.
Shankland, once more, tucked it into the same corner for a 79th minute killer third.
Lennon got it big time again from gloating Hearts fans.
And after a few moments of resistance he gave into temptation and responded with a trophy lifting gesture to the main stand only he'll know the meaning of.
But it was game over and sub Stephen Kingsley made it 4-1 in the final moments.
McInnes will be pleased to get a troublesome first game out of the way with a victory.
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