Ref wrong to rule out goal and book Boyle, insists Ross
JACK ROSS reckons a Ryan Porteous goal was wrongly chalked off during a battling 2-1 defeat for his Hibernian side at Ibrox yesterday. And the Easter Road manager believes referee Don Robertson made a further error in booking Martin Boyle for diving during the first half. Porteous found the net as Hibs pushed forward during the second period, but it was ruled out to due an apparent earlier foul on Filip Helander. The Leith outfit were trailing 2-0 at that point but set up a tense finale when Kevin Nisbet cut the deficit on 78 minutes. ‘I couldn’t put up a strong argument (at the time) because I couldn’t see closely enough,’ said Ross of the disallowed goal. ‘I did ask why the foul had been given. ‘I got the opportunity to see it before I came and spoke, and it’s not a foul. But that happens — some decisions go for you, some don’t. But I don’t think anybody watching it would think it’s a foul. It’s just body-to-body.’ Boyle was shown a yellow card for simulation after falling after a challenge from Connor Goldson. While Ross is clear it should not have been a penalty, he doesn’t think it was a dive and is concerned about Boyle being in the spotlight over previous incidents. ‘I think we have to be careful that we don’t think that if it’s not a penalty, it’s a yellow card,’ added Ross. ‘And we do have to be careful that because other managers talk about him, it doesn’t become a thing. ‘I asked him at halftime and he gave me an explanation. I don’t think it was a penalty. But I don’t think it was a yellow card. We have to be careful we don’t think it’s got to be one or the other.’ Asked if he felt Boyle was getting a reputation, Ross (right) replied: ‘He shouldn’t. That sometimes can happen but I will defend him because of how quickly he moves with the ball and how quickly he moves his body. ‘I’ve no argument with the decision not to award a penalty. I just think we’ve got to be careful we don’t think it has to be one or the other.’ Hibs again came close to taking something at Ibrox, having lost 1-0 at the venue in December. ‘We’re obviously disappointed to lose the game,’ said Ross. ‘We’ll never be satisfied with that. ‘But it’s very difficult to be critical of the team. We’ve pushed really hard a very good team who have had an exceptional season. ‘Like the last time we were here, we caused them a lot of problems as well and that’s testament to the performance the players produced.’ The Easter Road side are due to travel to Stranraer for a Scottish Cup last-16 tie on Saturday lunchtime but are waiting to see whether the game will be affected by the rejig being considered due to the funeral of HRH Prince Philip taking place later that afternoon. ‘It would be nice to know as quickly as possible,’ added Ross. ‘The governing bodies have to recognise that we don’t just turn up and play football matches. ‘There has to be an appreciation of the professionalism involved in it. For us to plan our working week, and plan our preparation and build-up for the game, players take this job seriously. ‘So it would be nice to know as quickly as possible and hopefully we can do that. ‘It might not change anything for us but it would be nice to have confirmation as soon as possible.’