Lennon regrets angry reaction to sending-off

HIBS: Easter Road boss unhappy over media portrayal after Rugby Park red card

Neil Lennon expressed regret at his angry reaction to being dismissed by referee Kevin Clancy at Kilmarnock but still insists the decision was unjust.

The Hibernian head coach will face two Scottish Football Association charges of misconduct and criticising match officials in a manner which indicates bias or incompetence or impinges on their character.

Lennon was sent to the stand after Kris Boyd netted on the rebound to seal a 2-2 Ladbrokes Premiership draw after Clancy had penalised Hibs defender Ryan Porteous for handball in the box.

The former Celtic manager sarcastically applauded the official after being ordered off and later described the standard of officiating in Scottish football as “amateur” and “Mickey Mouse”.

Ahead of the visit of Hamilton tonight, Lennon said: “I didn’t agree with the penalty decision and I didn’t agree to me being sent off.

“I was far more upset about the sending off than the award of the penalty. However, my reaction to the sending off was regrettable.

“But it was adding insult to injury. I see other managers behave a lot worse than my behaviour was on Saturday.

“I disputed the decision at the time, like any other manager would. There was no conversation between me and the referee and I was sent to the stand. No chat. Off you go.

“Hence my reaction which I have already said I regret. I am not proud of it. I am not happy with myself about it and I am sure I will get punished.

“But there are mitigating circumstances. I can accept the referee getting it wrong but I can’ t accept getting sent off. I felt it was wrong and unjust.”

The Northern Irishman was also unhappy at how he was portrayed.

He said: “You are talking about one incident this season.

“We have had 28 league games this season and after 23/24 of them I have gone to the match delegate and said what a good game the referee had. It never gets reported.

“I talk the Scottish game up more than most but I am always made out to be the villain of the peace when I give an honest opinion of what I am seeing.

“I am not doubting the integrity of any referee, it is a bad decision and I am giving an opinion on it.

“Because it’s me, it’s being made out to be me against the SFA or me against referees. It’s not.”

Lennon faces a disciplinary hearing at Hampden on March 15.

New father Paul Hanlon returns to the Hibernian squad for the game against Accies. The Hibs defender became a dad for the first time hours before the 2-2 draw at Kilmarnock on Saturday and had to miss out.

Florian Kamberi rolled his ankle against Killie but should be fit and Martin Boyle’s ongoing achilles problem will be assessed.

Hamilton pair Shaun Want and Georgios Sarris will miss the trip to Easter Road with a hamstring injury and twisted ankle respectively, while Darian MacKinnon remains out with a knee injury

Neil Lennon admitted he was ‘not proud’ of his dismissal at Rugby Park and expected SFA punishment.