SUDDENLY CHAOTIC CAPITAL CLASH IS NO LAUGHING MATTER
FIRST up, a confession. Laughter was an inappropriate response to the mayhem of Hibs and Morton. It was mildly amusing on first viewing. A wild portrayal of Scottish football at its bonkers best. A mass brawl, a managerial bust-up and two red cards. Scenes so absurd they belonged to an episode of Trigger Happy TV. But Neil Lennon’s Press conference has altered the narrative. It’s often said there’s a case for managers ducking Press interviews straight after games. Taking time to calm down. Rarely, if ever, are they even angrier two days later. Yet Lennon came out all guns blazing. Jim Duffy, Morton and the nation’s media were firmly in his sights. And this much we can say for sure. He won’t accept a swingeing punishment from the SFA compliance officer without a fight. Kudus Oyenuga will be first in the Hampden dock. His wild challenge on Jordon Forster was the trigger for what followed. Oyenuga’s farcical collapse following a clash of heads with Darren McGregor was poor. And the decision of Duffy to charge over and confront his irate Hibs counterpart won’t go unpunished either. Assistant managers, referees, backroom staff and players were dragged in to keep them apart. The two managers were sent to the stand. Oyenuga and McGregor for an early bath. At first sight, the scenes were surreal. But no one is laughing now. Least of all Lennon. He feels wronged by his media portrayal as ‘bad old Lenny’. But managers are role models for the impressionable. The face of the football club. Lennon concedes that what happened on Wednesday was worse than his infamous bust-up with Ally McCoist in 2011. One touchline bust-up can be considered human. Two looks careless.