KO'D MART IS on the Mend
WORRIED Hibs boss Nick Montgomery was last night breathing a sigh of relief after learning Martin Boyle was stable in hospital.
But he was also fuming after accusing Rangers ace John Lundstram of milking the moment to get Nathan Moriah-Welsh sent off in their Scottish Cup clash.
Talisman Boyle had to be stretchered off following a worrying mid-air collision with John Souttar.
Monty said: “He’s landed on his head. Martin is stable and that’s the most important thing.
“Football’s just a game and while Martin’s an important player for us, he’s a human being too.
“I think it’s a bit of concussion and and maybe a little bit of neck pain. Fingers crossed he makes a speedy recovery because he was in a bit of pain.”
But the Hibs gaffer was also feeling sore after seeing his team miss out on a place in the semifinals as they finished the evening with nine men.
Jordan Obita got his marching orders after collecting a second yellow for an off-the-ball swipe at Rabbi Matondo – with Mariah-Welsh also seeing the red card just two minutes later as he went in on Lundstram with his two feet off the ground. But the Hibs manager said: “I’ve got a lot of respect for John Lundstram. He’s a top, top player.
“But I thought the way he went down, Nathan didn’t catch him.
“I’ve seen that one back and he’s gone across him to try to block him playing a ball down the line.
“But John has gone down and the referee was very quick to give the card.
“I was really surprised he didn’t go to the VAR monitor to have a look considering it was three metres from where the incident happened.”
Gers went ahead after Obita brought down Dujon Sterling for a penalty - with Lundstram converting the rebound after David Marshall saved James Tavernier’s spot-kick.
Montgomery added: “There’s just sometimes a bit of inconsistency.
“A couple of weeks ago, against Celtic, we had the exact same incident with Martin Boyle – a quick winger running inside, the full-back chasing and contact.
“Martin gets a yellow card and we get a penalty given against us here but I’m focusing on the positives.”