LENNON AND DUFFY IN FURIOUS CONFRONTATION
butted to get McGregor sent off with him. As both sets of coaching staff clashed, with Morton assistant Craig MacPherson also involved, Lennon claimed that Duffy asked him for a fight. However, the Northern Irishman — who was involved in an infamous bust up with Rangers boss Ally McCoist after an Old Firm Scottish Cup replay in 2011 — defiantly insisted that his own conscience is clear if the SFA launch disciplinary action. Lennon said: ‘The guy tried to break my player’s leg, then Darren McGregor goes over to him — and he feigns a headbutt, holding his face when Darren made no contact. ‘The next thing I’ve got the Morton manager asking for a square go — fair enough, I won’t back down, with their assistant manager, and their players coming at me. But it’ll be: “Bad old Lenny, it’s Lenny’s fault.” Rubbish! ‘I reacted in the way any manager would. It was disgraceful and the Morton boy’s behaviour was embarrassing. ‘He tried to break my player’s leg then got my captain sent off in an act of cowardice. I have to take that? No, sorry! No wonder I was angry. ‘I’m not having that. He [Duffy] has come all the way from his technical area to mine. I didn’t do anything but shout at his player, which I had every right to do.’ After receiving the first red card of his coaching career, Duffy denied throwing any punches. ‘It was a poor challenge from Kudus. It was dangerous, it was reckless, and I think the referee would have dealt with it,’ he said. ‘He would have probably given a red card but unfortunately their bench reacted then our bench reacted — including myself. One or two things were said. It was a bit of a melee then the referee sent us both to the stands. ‘It’s something new to me. I’ve been in football a long time and I’ve never been sent to the stand before tonight. ‘It’s my first time but it’s always good to lose your virginity, eventually. ‘But there were no punches thrown. If I throw a punch you would know about it.’
FURIOUS Hibs boss Neil Lennon last night accused Morton counterpart Jim Duffy of challenging him to a fight following an astonishing mass brawl that ended with four red cards at Easter Road. Lennon and Duffy both had to be separated after a confrontation between the pair before both were sent to the stand in the closing moments of a 0-0 draw in the Championship. The melee was sparked by a red card for Morton substitute Kudus Oyenuga following his late challenge on Jordon Forster, with Hibs captain Darren McGregor also ordered off for an alleged retaliatory headbutt. Lennon admitted shouting at Oyenuga and accused him of attempting to break Forster’s leg. He also branded the substitute ‘a disgrace’ and ‘a coward’, and claimed he had feigned being