Hibs boss backs Ambrose for Eagles recall 

Hibernian manager, Neil Lennon, is hopeful Efe Ambrose can force his way back into Nigeria’s plans ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Ambrose has not played for his country for three years after winning the last of his 51 caps against Congo in 2014.

The 29-year-old did not contribute to the Super Eagles’ success in reaching Russia having been dropped because he was not featuring regularly for Celtic.

However, the centre-half is reaping the benefits of playing consistently at Hibs after being reunited with Lennon.

Lennon has called on Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr to recognise Ambrose’s good form at the heart of the Hibs defence.

“I don’t know if I can affect the manager’s thinking,” he said.

“Only Efe and his performances can do that.

“He is still a big man there, he has 50-odd caps and he is only 29. He is at his peak. “Nigeria have qualified and he didn’t participate in the qualifiers because he was not playing [at Celtic]. Now he is back playing hopefully he can start asking a few questions.”

Lennon described Ambrose as performing “serenely” although he quickly added: “I don’t want to tempt fate because he has always got one in him now and again.

“But he has been superb, really composed. His timing in the air is excellent and with the ball at his feet he brings an extra dimension to the way we want to play.”