Card-happy rookie Europa League referee to take charge of Hibs tie

Card-happy Lithuanian referee Manfredas Lukjancukas will take charge of Hibs' Europa League match against NSi Runavik of the Faroe Islands on Thursday night '“ having already sent off Easter Road defender Ryan Porteous.

Hibs will hope to avoid the wrath of officials in Europe. Pic: Getty

The 20-year-old was given his marching orders as Scotland’s Under-19 side lost 2-1 to Hungary in their final European Championship match in a tournament played in the Czech Republic in March last year for a late lunge on Hungarian substitute Balin Tomasvari.

Lukjancukas had earlier shown the red card to Celtic’s Michael Johnston, scorer of the Scots’ goal, and to a Hungarian player.

At 26, Lukjancukas became the youngest referee in the Lithuanian A Lyga and at present is something of a rookie on the international scene, having only taken charge of one Europa League match, last season’s first qualifying round match between Macedonian side Rabotnicki’s 6-0 win over San Marino’s Tre Penne.

He’s also taken charge of two Under-21 internationals, a couple of UEFA Youth League games and a brace of Under-19 Euro qualifiers including that Scotland match. But, incredibly, in those seven games he produced the red card six times, along with 34 yellows.