Neil McCann makes Hibs red card and penalty claim amid Kilmarnock joy as he hails 'brilliant' Easter Road ace
The Kilmarnock boss has made some refereeing claims off the back of defeating Hibs.
Neil McCann reckons one Hibs star was lucky not to get sent off during Tuesday’s dismal night at Easter Road for the hosts against Kilmarnock.
The Killie boss believes his team could have had a spot-kick with striking Joe Hugill tumbling to the ground in a challenge with Hibees centre-back Grant Hanley as a ball across goal was fizzed in. It didn’t matter too much to the outcome after George Stanger’s goal sealed a first win in Leith for the Rugby Park side in over a decade with pressure piled on Hibs head coach David Gray.
Home goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger impressed McCann as his side also had a goal chopped off by VAR. Heading into the game bottom of the Premiership, and hurting from a penalty kick elimination against Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup 72 hours previous, the Ayrshire gaffer was left proud amid refereeing frustrations.
Neil McCann on Hibs 0-1 Kilmarnock
McCann, who’s side face Hearts on Saturday at Rugby Park ahead of the three-week international break, said: "Sometimes from the outside it's easy to not find positives, because of our points and the goals against us. But hopefully we've found a positive tonight. We know as a staff how hard those boys are working. It's difficult when you're conceding goals and not winning games but my God, they kept going tonight.
“They showed there's a bit of steel in there as well. We were asked so many difficult questions tonight. At 2-0 up, it's taken away from us. A stonewall penalty on Joe Hugill, which would have been a red card, we don't get it. Our character has been tested. The fans were asking questions and voicing their displeasure at times.
“But we stood up to it. Nobody can say we didn't deserve it. That word 'unity' is a good one to use, it's what we've got in this team. But all we've done is get three points on the board, but I'm very proud."
What Hibs player performed vs Kilmarnock?
McCann added in his post-match presser: "I don't think I can ask anything more of that team down there. There was proper unity, proper togetherness, proper will to see that out. We were asked some serious big questions about character, a goal getting chopped off, a stonewall penalty on Joe Hugill. Big Rafa Sallinger had some brilliant saves.
"The time added on at the end. Then Max Stryjek gets absolutely wiped out and we get nothing. As a group of players that have just lost a penalty shootout for a chance to go to Hampden, psychologically that's a big test.
"They came through with flying colours. They showed there's a bit of steel in there as well. This team is just coming together. We're not panicking as a staff. I'm very, very proud."