Hibs: Learn lesson or lose place, Pat Fenlon tells Leigh Griffiths

By STUART BATHGATE
Published on Friday 13 January 2012 01:03

HIBERNIAN manager Pat Fenlon has warned Leigh Griffiths that he will lose his place in the team unless he mends his ways.

The striker was given a one-match ban yesterday for gesturing at supporters – the second time in a month he has received a suspension for such a misdemeanour.

“He’s got to learn quickly or he’s not going to play,” Fenlon said after learning that Hibs had failed in their bid to contest the suspension, which rules Griffiths out of the club’s next Scottish Cup match. “If that is what is going to continue throughout the season, then he’s not going to play, because I can’t have players that are going to be suspended on a regular basis.”

Griffiths received his latest ban for an offensive gesture after scoring the equaliser against Cowdenbeath on Saturday in a fourth-round Cup tie. Hibs went on to win 3-2 and now play Dundee or Kilmarnock.

The game at Central Park was the striker’s first match since extending his loan period from Wolves to Hibs until the end of the season.

Fenlon explained that the 21-year-old would be disciplined for the offence, but said the club had appealed against the “offer” of a one-match ban because they did not think it merited a red card.

“We just thought it was a little bit harsh for a suspension, to be honest, for the crime,” Fenlon said. “If he [the ref] gives a red card for that, I don’t know the way the game’s going. It will be dealt with in-house. He’s got to know that I can’t afford to have players sitting in the stand while we’re playing. If he doesn’t learn from that, that’s where he’s going to end up sitting.

“He’s got to learn to deal with that better, and show elation and joy when you score goals. I don’t want to take that out of players, and I think sometimes the powers that be have taken that away from players in relation to celebrating goals.

“I definitely don’t advocate celebrating a goal in front of our own supporters like that but he’s got to learn from it. We’ll deal with it and, if he doesn’t learn, then he knows the consequence. He’s a young player and he needs to learn what’s acceptable and what’s not in the game.”

Inverness Caley Thistle full-back Kenny Gillet will miss his team’s replay against Dunfermline on Wednesday after losing his appeal against the straight red card he received in the first half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw. The winners of the replay will meet Celtic in the last 16.

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12

invictager

Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 11:11 AM

I have to admit when I read he had received the ban I imagined it was finally kicking in for what happened against Rangers. To do the same thing twice in a few weeks demonstrates he is obviously not the sharpest tool in the box.

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11

Vandeerbrock

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 10:43 AM

He isn't that good a player and certainly not integrated enough to direct abuse at his own fans. If Franck or Russell told me to bolt I'd feel hurt but Griffiths?...meh

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10

Hen Broon

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 10:10 AM

7 & 9........have to admit after HEARTS score a goal I would not be over concerned .(albeit I still say he should apologise) However bottom line is he has now done it twice & he has been banned twice hence fans taking offence or otherwise is not the issue.

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9

The Green Green Grass of Home

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 09:55 AM

All part of being a footballer nowadays I'm afraid. Morons in the crowd are allowed to abuse players endlessly but as soon as the player shows any sort of response one of those morons will see it as his own human rights being abused. If you can't take it you shouldn't be giving it out.

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8

donald marr

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 09:48 AM

We should have hauled him out before the cameras asp ,to make his apologies to the fans.The club should have sent him out to do some work in the community,fined him a weeks wages, to be given to a charity of his choice. End of story. In a couple of words,get proactive.

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7

Cave not Shed

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 09:08 AM

I remember Pat McGinlay doing the same to us after getting dogs abuse and then scoring a screamer. Cant say I was offended in the slightest. Only shows they are human.

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6

Hen Broon

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 08:31 AM

We can always rely on Alan Gordon to lower the tone. Pat F makes a fair point. His actions (ill advised or otherwise) did not deserve a RED. This new system is arbitrary & unequitable. The biggest issue here was a Hibs issue IE his gesture was at his own fans, I assume now the appeal is out the way that he will offer an appropriate apology.

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5

Hammy1874

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 08:26 AM

Should read, "up your game or you are out of the team".

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4

AlanGordon

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 07:36 AM

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3

Ozhibs

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 07:27 AM

#2 i do not condone this sort of behaviour whatsoever; however, I do think you are commenting because of the team you despise not the action. Are the Hearts squeaky clean, and yes he should be brought to task before it gets out of hand. On saying that how much would the likes of Andy Murray be out of pocket for his antics?

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2

jambo till I die

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 06:31 AM

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1

Baldrick

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 01:54 AM

Stupid behaviour. Some contrition from the player wouldn't go amiss.

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