HIBS SEETHE AS CELTIC TRIO ESCAPE CENSURE
HIBS are privately furious that Celtic players Jozo Simunovic, Scott Brown and Oliver Burke have avoided being issued with notices of complaint after Easter Road defender Darnell Johnson was pulled up by SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte.
On-loan Leicester City player Johnson is facing a two-game ban after being charged with an alleged breach of disciplinary rule 200 — serious foul play — for a tackle on Parkhead full-back Emilio Izaguirre.
The challenge happened in the 80th minute of managerless Hibs’ 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park on Wednesday and led to the Honduran left-back being stretchered off. Even though 20-year-old Johnson was booked for the challenge by referee Craig Thomson, Whyte has decided that further action is necessary.
A fast-track hearing has been pencilled in for Tuesday — although Johnson will be available for today’s Scottish Cup visit of Raith Rovers.
However, Hibs officials are said to be stunned that, while their player is facing punishment, Celtic captain Brown, defender Simunovic and striker Burke have not been cited.
Hibs were less than pleased with Simunovic’s aerial challenge on striker Oli Shaw in the same game but the Celtic centre-half has avoided retrospective punishment. Shaw was forced off after taking a blow to the head in the incident.
They also feel that Brown’s tackle on Mark Milligan warranted potential retrospective punishment, while the Leith outfit believe striker Burke fell to the ground far too easily inside the box.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday to address his challenge on Izaguirre, Hibs player Johnson said: ‘I try always to challenge fairly, respect to Emilio Izaguirre for greeting me after the match. #true professional.’
But Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who admitted that Izaguirre had avoided a serious injury, said of Johnson after the game: ‘He is over the ball, the boy, and I think it scared Emilio a little bit in terms of he has had issues with his ankles before when he has broken them. It wasn’t a good challenge at all.’
Rodgers claimed that Simunovic’s challenge on Shaw did not merit any disciplinary action.
He said: ‘It was a strong challenge, an aggressive challenge. But I think defenders will tell you when you jump in with a young striker, you have got to be strong and committed in the challenge. I think it was that.’
Meanwhile, caretaker Eddie May will take charge for a fourth game today as Hibs continue their search for a replacement for Neil Lennon.