Source: Team_Talk
Hibs v St Johnstone reaction
Hibernian boss Colin Calderwood thinks Garry O'Connor is heading towards a Scotland recall after scoring twice in the win over St Johnstone.[LNB] Calderwood was full of praise for the striker after he took his tally for the season to 10 goals but St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes hit out at the forward when he accused him of diving to win a decisive second-half penalty.[LNB]O'Connor finished clinically towards the end of an open first half to put Hibs back in front and converted the controversial spot-kick to put Hibs 3-1 ahead.[LNB]The former Lokomotiv Moscow and Birmingham striker has rediscovered his fitness and form since returning to Easter Road in the summer and Calderwood would prefer he rested during the international break.[LNB]And the Hibs manager believes the forward will have to wait a while longer for his international recall as Scotland boss Craig Levein prepares to name his squad for next month's double header against Liechtenstein and Spain on Thursday morning.[LNB]When asked if he thought O'Connor would make it, Calderwood said: "I doubt it but he's heading in the right direction. It's not something we crave.[LNB]"I think it will come in the fullness of time but his progression and his attitude since the start of the season has led him to where he is now, and you can see the quality within him."[LNB]McInnes was disappointed with his side's defending for the first-half goals. [LNB]Ivan Sproule shot Hibs ahead in the 17th minute after the visiting back four were stretched before Liam Craig volleyed an equaliser two minutes later.[LNB]But he blamed O'Connor and referee Steve Conroy for Hibernian's third after David McCracken was judged to have tripped the forward.[LNB]Cillian Sheridan pulled one back with two minutes left but Hibs held on for their first SPL win at Easter Road since February.[LNB]"The game was far too open for me in the first half, as the away team you want to be more compact," McInnes said.[LNB]"We've got to defend the first two goals better but at the same time we looked like we could score ourselves.[LNB]"We felt there would be another goal in us. I thought second half we bossed the game and were the better side passing the ball.[LNB]"The third goal proved pivotal. The first two goals were our own doing, the third certainly wasn't.[LNB]"For me O'Connor has dived and made the referee make a decision, and unfortunately the referee has made the wrong decision.[LNB]"It was clear to me at the time and having watched it again it certainly was the wrong decision.[LNB]"I told the referee how I felt but the damage was done. The second goal came too late but it should have been enough to get us a point.[LNB]"The biggest culprit for me is O'Connor because he made the referee make a decision by diving."
