Hibs boss hits back at Wright overdiveclaims

BY ANTHONY HAGGERTY HIBS manager Paul Heckingbottom last night backed Florian Kamberi after St Johnstone doubled down on their claims the Swiss striker is a cheat.

Perth gaffer Tommy Wright insisted Kamberi had “conned” ref Gavin Duncan into awarding the second-half penalty that hauled Hibs level in their 2-1 win on Wednesday night.

And incensed midfielder Murray Davidson yesterday branded Kamberi’s fall from a Liam Craig challenge an “obvious dive” – but Heckingbottom was having none of it.

The new Easter Road boss is adamant there was enough contact to merit a spot-kick and has told Saints to stop deflecting from their failings.

He said: “There’s contact. And it’s up to the ref to give it, isn’t it? I’ve noticed up here the refs get a hell of a hammering with a lot of people deflecting things.

“I could sit here and moan about decisions that didn’t go my way in that game.

“Everyone makes mistakes. I will – just the same as refs. PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM SAYS WHISTLER GOT IT RIGHT

“It will worry me more if referees get influenced by it which I suppose is what people’s intentions are.

“In regard to that particular incident, there’s contact. If it’s outside the box would it be a free-kick? Yeah it probably would so why would it be different inside the box?

“I’d be looking at my defenders asking why he’s going to tackle someone on the byeline facing away from goal?”

Saints star Davidson though blew a gasket as Kamberi settled for blowing kisses.

Davidson was still seething yesterday at the flashpoint that saw Marc McNulty convert the controversial penalty then add a late second to leave Wright’s team eight games without a victory. It was a match Saints had in their grasp and Davidson said: “I was very angry because it changed the game.

“It is pretty obvious it was a dive. I watched it back but I knew at the time.

“I knew by his reaction when I said to him on the pitch and he just kept blowing kisses to me.

“If he had been kicked he would have said so.

“If that was a penalty we will be seeing 10 a game now.”

In contrast to Saints’ rotten run, Hibs have won all three games under Heckingbottom.

And the Leith boss won’t allow his players to be sidetracked by the return of former gaffer Neil Lennon in tomorrow’s crunch Scottish Cup showdown with Celtic.

Heckingbottom said: “It’s easy for the players to blank it out. It’s a game against the best team in the land and we will give everything to try to win.

“Players will feel they have a point to prove so you use it positively rather than let it hinder you.”