Defensive crisis as Hibs star Sol Bamba facing ban

HIBS were today facing a defensive crisis after learning Ivory Coast star Sol Bamba is set to be hit with a three-match ban which will rule him out of vital post-split games.

The big defender picked up a seventh yellow card of the season for what boss John Hughes today branded a "stupid" reaction to a decision by referee Charlie Richmond, hurling the ball to the ground in frustration.

As a result Bamba crashed through the SFA's disciplinary points limit and as he served a two-game suspension last season he'll now be sidelined for three matches under the Hampden authority's "totting up procedure."

However, the ban won't come into force until a week on Sunday, leaving the 25-year-old free to face Hamilton this weekend and whoever Hibs might play in the first round of fixtures following the SPL split.

But he'll then miss three crunch clashes as Hibs seek to keep their fading hopes of catching third-placed Dundee United alive before returning for the final match of the season and then heading off to the World Cup in South Africa.

Bamba's suspension couldn't come at a worse time for Hughes with skipper Chris Hogg missing yesterday's defeat by Celtic having suffered a recurrence of the back problem which struck him down last month and Paul Hanlon currently sidelined with a persistent pelvic injury.

As it is unclear how long Hogg and Hanlon will be missing, Hughes will be left with only Steven Thicot, Ian Murray and Darren McCormack as cover for central defence at a vital stage of the season.

Today, though, Hughes insisted he would never complain about injuries or suspensions, accepting them as a fact of life in football, claiming the absence of some players simply gives others their chance to impress.

He did, however, admit to his own frustration at seeing Bamba booked, one of eight shown the yellow card by Richmond who awarded Celtic a dubious penalty, duly converted by Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane for the only goal of the game.

Hughes said: "What Sol did was really stupid and his absence is definitely going to hamper us with Chris and Paul struggling. I could understand Sol's frustration and it was a pity because I thought he was immense yesterday, back to his old self."

Although disappointed by the defeat, the penalty awarded for a high boot against Anthony Stokes as he made to clear the ball with Celtic's Aiden McGeady in close attendance, Hughes insisted he couldn't fault his players' efforts.

He said: "I can see why the referee has given it, but I don't think Anthony took his eye off the ball."