Pundits heap praise on Hibs 'difference-maker' in Kilmarnock win while giving opposing verdicts on red card
The BBC Sportscene pundits disagreed with each other on David Watson’s second half red card at Rugby Park.
Hibs beat Kilmarnock 3-1 in their own backyard to end a five year wait for a Rugby Park win, however a second half red card decision was the main talking point after the match.
As Elie Youan finds his form again, the Frenchman bagged a brace in Ayrshire, but on another day could’ve had three or four. Jamie McGrath also impressed for the Hibees and put the game to bed with a late penalty after being taken out in the box by Killie defender, Jack Thomson.
At 2-1, the home side were still in the game, however a David Watson late tackle on Dan Barlaser gave referee David Dickinson no other option but to dismiss the Scotland under-21s captain. Former Celtic captain Peter Grant and ex Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith had opposing views on the decision on BBC’s Sportscene.
Grant and Naismith disagree on Killie red
In what was only the second red card of the Kilmarnock midfielder’s career, Grant believes that his ‘intent’ for the ball should’ve been taken into consideration and a yellow would’ve sufficed. He said: “I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt here because I've watched this young man playing and he gives everything.
“I genuinely think he's made an attempt to play the ball. I know you'll disagree with me, if you land on someone's ankle now unfortunately he gets a red card, but you can see he's not going to do the player, that's the one thing I would say, I think he's just tried to nick it there where he's landed.”
After presenter Stephen Thompson joked that Grant enjoyed a tackle during his playing career from ‘time to time’, Naismith believes Dickinson got it right. He responded: “you don't want to take that energy out of his game because that's his game, he's so good at it. Unfortunately in today's game any misstep or where you place your foot above the ankle is a red and ultimately that's what he’s been punished for.”
McGrath the ‘difference-maker’ for Hibs
After grabbing a goal and an assist in last week’s monumental Edinburgh Derby victory, Jamie McGrath once again impressed for David Gray’s side in Ayrshire. Grant believes the Irishman has the x factor that Hibs have been lacking in recent years.
He said: “McGrath's been brilliant for them, I think he's been the difference-maker at times and that's the big thing you need in a team and that’s what Hibs are - a team. They’ve got a great mix of player and I think that’s very important to them.”
Naismith added that some of the pressure has now been taken off winger Elie Youan, as Hibs now have strong depth in most positions. He said: “Youan, who at a period in his Hibs career was the only man that was creating anything, now has probably that bit of pressure taken off him and we've seen that today.”