HIBERNIAN head coach Neil Lennon’s delight at seeing his side begin their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign with a 3-0 victory over Motherwell was tempered by the dreaded prospect that John McGinn had played his last game for the club.

Just three days after seeing off Asteras Tripolis to set up a Europa League third qualifying round clash with Molde, the Leith outfit produced an empathic performance on their return to domestic action.

Stevie Mallan, with a contentious opener, Oli Shaw and Martin Boyle all got on the score sheet.

McGinn, the subjected of failed bids from Celtic and reported interest from Brighton and Blackburn, was given a standing ovation after being substituted in the 80th minute yesterday.

Hibs host Norwegian side Molde in Thursday’s first leg on the day the English transfer window closes and former Celtic manager Lennon admitted it would be nigh-on impossible to find a replacement for the 23-year-old Scotland internationalist.

Asked if McGinn had played his last game, Lennon said: “I don’t know is the answer. The only concrete bid we’ve had is from Celtic and that hasn’t met our valuation – and I would be amazed if we didn’t get more offers in for him.

“He is one of the best out of all the players I’ve worked with in terms of what he brings to the team and his influence. If he does go it will leave a huge hole, one we’ll have to try and fill.

“He is just outstanding; I think he is at the peak of his powers at the minute. He has a value and it’s a bit like [former Celtic defender] Virgil van Dijk’s situation. I couldn’t understand why no one took a punt on him early.

“Whether he will be here Thursday or not, it’s going to be a fraught couple of days either way for me. I dread him going."

Just as the visitors began to get to grips with the game, Hibs broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark with a contentious goal.

Referee Bobby Madden penalised Well captain Peter Hartley for handball – dishing out a yellow card to the centre-half in the process – after a Mallan drive cannoned off the Englishman.

The visitors’ anger over that decision was compounded when Mallan enhanced his reputation as a set-piece specialist with a low free-kick that squeezed into the far corner of the net.

The second arrived seconds before the break and although Shaw took the plaudits, McGinn’s assist was also noted.

The Scotland internationalist curled a pass around the blindside of the defence for Shaw to run on to and the 19-year-old forced a low shot under Trevor Carson from an acute angle.

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson made a double change at half-time, introducing Gael Bigirimana and Elliott Frear for Liam Grimshaw and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair.

But the substitutes were unable to alter the pattern of the game as the home side added a third in the 51st minute.

A crisp passing move culminated in Shaw finding Boyle in a central area. The pacey forward made headway as Hartley backed off before drilling a shot beyond Carson from just outside the area.

Motherwell introduced Danny Johnson but the forward was left frustrated by his attempts to find the net.

After hitting the post with only goalkeeper Adam Bogdan to beat, Johnson collected the rebound but then had his shot blocked by Paul Hanlon.

The former Cardiff City player had another effort repelled by the Hungarian shot-stopper before finding the net with five minutes left.

However, Madden had blown his whistle just moments before Johnson struck the ball for a handball infringement that again left Motherwell raging.

Hibs knew it was their day when Johnson had another drive parried by Bogdan before Conor Sammon headed off the outside of the post on the follow up.

Motherwell manager Robinson had Madden in his sights for the decision to penalise Hartley prior to Mallan breaking the deadlock with a free-kick.

He said: “It’s a crazy decision and it has a big, big influence on the game no matter what way we dress it up.”