Hibs boss questions defender’s dismissal

Jack Ross questioned the red card shown to Ryan Porteous in Hibs’ 2-1 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox – but conceded the centre-back had given the referee “a decision to make”.

Kevin Nisbet’s eighth-minute header had given Hibs an early lead yesterday and the visitors were on top for large parts of the opening 30 minutes until Porteous, inset, was given his marching orders for a challenge on Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo.

Hibs head coach Ross said: “As it happened, I didn't even think it was a foul, but that was from my view.

“I then watched it and the first couple of angles I had the same opinion. From the angle behind the goal, it doesn’t look great, but what I don’t quite understand is the match official’s view must be the same – he’s not watching it from behind the goals.

“But I think Ryan gives him a decision to make. I don't necessarily agree with the decision, but I can understand why it’s given.”

Despite having to play the final hour of the game with 10 men, Ross refused to hang

Porteous out to dry, instead choosing to highlight his improvements. Ross said: “I know he will get criticism, but I think Ryan is a brilliant player, a top centre-half in this country.

“He has an aggression about his game, but you need that as a defender. I am not going to tell Ryan not to be aggressive, but I think he has made big improvements in his decision-making, but he doesn’t need to go to ground. He has put himself in a good position, he has read the situation well.”

Although Hibs held their lead until the the hour mark, Ross was left fuming at the manner of the goals conceded as Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos headed the equaliser and winner respectively. “I am angry and frustrated because we came here believing we could win and showed in that first halfhour we could,” he said. “The first 30 minutes I thought were excellent, really good, and we deserved to be ahead and were in a good place in the game.

“The sending off was the defining moment, not necessarily because you can’t win it from there, but 60 minutes against a good team is tough.

“I am angry at the manner of the goals we conceded, I told the players that.”