Hibernian Football Club News

• Nickname:The Hibees
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Mixu Paatelainen

• Ground:Easter Road
• Capacity:18,000

Mixu hits back at Smith

11 Mar 2008 - 11:16:25

Click To Enlarge

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen insists he did not try to get Rangers striker Nacho Novo sent off in the weekend Scottish Cup clash between the two teams.

Gers boss Walter Smith was furious with the Hibs bench's reaction to Novo's two-footed challenge on Thierry Gathuessi and was sent to the stands after clashing with Paatelainen.

Smith then accused the Easter Road backroom staff of having spent the entire match trying to goad the referee into handing out yellow and red cards to his players.

But Paatelainen has hit back at the accusations, saying: "We aren't interested in getting opponents booked or sent off.

"We never asked the referee to give a red card to anyone. Regarding yellow cards we didn't ask for any, we only wanted consistency.

"All we want to do is make sure our players keep calm on the pitch and I felt Thierry handled the situation really well.

"It was a horrendous tackle, one that could have broken his leg, but he got up as soon as he could and did not roll about on the ground.

"Words were said by Rangers players to him which I thought was ridiculous and it's amazing someone who has been the victim of such a tackle then takes pelters from the crowd."