Lee Johnson has held his hands up for starting the extraordinary Tynecastle rammy with Steven Naismith that brought the Premiership season to an explosive end. But the Hibs boss is adamant the chaotic scenes were little more than a storm in a tea cup.
Johnson avoided an SFA ban for his part in the melee that saw him and defender Rocky Bushiri red carded along with Hearts goalkeeper coach Paul Gallacher and sub goalie Ross Stewart. The Easter Road manager appeared to aim a dig in the ribs at his opposite number as the capital derby ended in a 1-1 draw, sparking a full-on ruck with players and staff from both sides. Speaking for the first time since the Hampden tribunal, Johnson claimed he “didn’t actually do a lot”.
Bushiri was hit with a two game ban for his part in the melee. But Johnson, who immediately after the game admitted the two managers “don’t like each other very much”, escaped with a slap on the wrists. And asked about the outcome at Hibs training camp in Marbella last night the 42-year-old said: “Listen, I didn’t want to be banned and I didn’t want Rocky to be banned.
“Looking back they weren’t nice scenes but it never felt it was in danger of getting really aggressive. It’s a passionate league. There was a crescendo and it’s two clubs who are fierce rivals.
“Part of me thinks it gives you guys entertainment but at the same time as a club we want to act with as much class as possible. But inevitably things get heated, particularly in those derbies.
“I didn’t actually do a lot, if I’m honest, if you watch it back. I’d say I started it in terms of between myself and the Hearts manager we started it.
“But there was nothing really to it. It was the fact everyone else jumped in. I think it was probably everyone’s frustration or relief at the season ending. I can’t speak for every individual being involved in being a peacemaker but there were a lot more peacemakers than aggressors.”
A feisty end to the season tees us what promises to be a fierce battle in the new campaign with the Edinburgh rivals gunning for third place alongside Aberdeen.
The Easter Road club have left the Jambos in the shade in recruitment terms so far this season, adding five while making Elie Youan’s loan deal permanent. But Johnson said: “You’ve got to remember their finances are a lot more than ours.
“That’s our challenge. We’ve got to maintain the consistency. If you look at our recruits so far this year they’re solid players. Jordan Obita; good decision maker and consistent. Le Fondre gives us that bit of savvy and craft to help the young players.
“Dylan Levitt has played in this division for a couple of years. I think it’s shaping up nicely. Every manager will tell you yeah, they want a couple more.
“I have in my mind’s eye what utopia is but the reality is you don’t get utopia in one window because there are obviously some outs to happen. And you have got to make sure it makes sense financially.
“But we keep building and we keep progressing. Obviously the loss of Kevin Nisbet’s quality is something you’d like to look to replace, but it’s not easy in this market.”
Meanwhile, Joe Newell faces a race to be fit for Hibs’ first European clash of the season. Scans have revealed a small tear in his hamstring that’s expected to keep Newell sidelined for two weeks.
Hibs open their Conference League qualifying bid at home to either Vikingur of the Faroes or Inter Club d’Escaldes on July 27. Meanwhile, midfielder Joe Newell faces a race to be fit for Hibs’ first European clash of the season.
The Englishman limped out of Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win over FC Europa in Marbella with a hamstring issue. And scans have revealed a small tear that’s expected to keep Newell sidelined for two weeks.
Hibs open their Conference League qualifying bid at home to either Vikingur of the Faroes or Inter Club d’Escaldes on July 27. But whether the influential Newell will be available remains to be seen.
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