TONIGHT, EASTER ROAD, 7.45PM
Regrets – but Lenny hits out at ref’s decision to send him off
THE fire was still burning brightly inside Neil Lennon yesterday. Fuelled by a sense of injustice.
Not at the penalty decision he believes cost his side three points on Saturday but at being sent to the stand complaining about it. And with the nagging feeling he is treated differently from other managers.
The Hibs boss was hit with an SFA notice of complaint yesterday and has no issue with that. It was in the post from the minute he launched his verbals at Kevin Clancy at Rugby Park.
Lennon said: “I expected that to be the case. I didn’t agree with the penalty decision and I didn’t agree with being sent off.
“My reaction to the sending off was regrettable but it was adding insult to injury. I see other managers behave a lot worse than what my behaviour was on Saturday.
“Even when you see the referee come over to talk to me, I’m stood there quite calmly. I disputed the penalty decision at the time like any other manager would.
“There was no conversation between me and the referee and I was sent straight to the stand.
“Hence my reaction, which I have already maintained I regret. It’s not the penalty decision, in the cold light of day you get these decisions.
“He’s got a split second to make the decision. I thought it was wrong at the time and I still think it’s wrong now, fine.
“But the sending off I was far more upset about. They score the penalty, I’m thinking nothing of it, thinking of how I’m going to adjust my tactics, next thing the ref comes running over, no conversation, ‘You’re off to the stand’, hence my reaction.”
“Why I am always made out to be the villain of the piece? My behaviour is regrettable but surely I’m allowed to say I don’t agree with that costly decision.”
Lennon believes Hibs have been on the wrong end of several point-costing decisions – with David Bates’ blatant handball in the Rangers clash at Easter Road and Oli Shaw’s disallowed goal at Tynecastle just two of them – but is irked he hasn’t received a call offering apologies or explanations.
He said: “Everyone goes on about encouraging referees, I think we’ve had 28 games this season. After maybe 24 I’ve gone to the delegate and said what a good game the ref had, that doesn’t get reported.
“I talk the Scottish game up as much as I can at times which is more than most but I’m always made out to be the villain of the piece somehow when I give an honest opinion.
“At Ross County last season, Alex Schalk dives, County get a penalty. Brendan Rodgers gets a phone call of an apology. So, we get a perfectly good goal disallowed and no phone call. Does that set a precedent?
“Where’s the contact from the referees for me or any other manager? Or is it just exclusive to Celtic?”
Having got that off his chest, Lennon looked to the vacancy left by Scott Brown in the Scotland midfield and claimed his midfielder John McGinn could fill the void.
He added: “I’m a bit surprised because Scott is only 32 and still looks in peak physical condition. Again he was superb on Sunday against Aberdeen. He’s the best midfielder in the country at this stage. It’s a big loss for Scotland.
“He’s obviously thinking he needs to cut down a little bit, maybe ahead of next season, looking at Champions League again and a lot of domestic fixtures.
“That’s maybe a gap for someone like John. He had a fine game against Holland, he is playing really well. We just want him to maintain that.
“Obviously my focus is not Scotland but if he gets picked for Scotland that means he is doing something right for Hibs and with the form he has shown this season he will be in the squads for the forthcoming games.”
Hibs host Hamilton tonight with defender Paul Hanlon hoping to be back after missing the Rugby Park game to be at the birth of his son – and incurring the wrath of wife Danielle in the process.
Hanlon said: “I didn’t get back in the house until around 1.30 am on Saturday so when it came to an early kick-off against Kilmarnock, I wouldn’t have been in any fit state to play.
“I tried to leave it as late as possible but I had to text the physio to say there’s no way I could do it, especially getting through to Kilmarnock. You don’t want to let people down.
“I was trying to keep an eye on it but the signal in the hospital wasn’t great. It was one of those – she’s in pain and can’t get out her bed and I’m trying to keep up with the score!”
NEIL LENNON