Hibs boss Jack Ross speaks out to defend Martin Boyle after dive claims raise their head again

Hibs manager Jack Ross has insisted that Martin Boyle is not a diver.

Rangers' Connor Goldson (left) battles with Hibernian's Martin Boyle during the league match between Rangers and Hibernian at Ibrox. Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group

The Leith gaffer was forced to defend his forward star after he was booked for simulation in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Rangers

The Australian international tumbled to the Ibrox turf midway through the first half of a competitive match up at Ibrox and while the visiting boss agreed it was not a penalty he said his player had made no attempt to con the officials.

“I think we have to be careful that we don’t think, ‘if it’s not a penalty, it’s a yellow card’. And we do have to be careful that just because other managers talk about him, it doesn’t become a thing. I asked him at half-time and he gave me an explanation.”

The 27 year-old attacker was embroiled in controversy following a couple of penalty shouts against Ross County last month and after that match the Highlanders’ manager John Hughes accused him of conning the referee. Those comments angered Ross who said he hopes that his man is not gaining an unwarranted reputation.

“He shouldn’t but that can sometimes happen. I will defend him because of how quickly he moves with the ball and how quickly he moves his body. As I said, I’ve no argument with the decision not to award a penalty. I just think we’ve got to be careful we don’t think it has to be one or the other.”

Ross was also frustrated to leave Glasgow empty-handed for the second time this season.

“It’s similar emotions to the last time we were here. We’re obviously disappointed to lose the game. We’ll never be satisfied with that. But it’s very difficult to be critical of the team.

“We’ve pushed very hard against a very good team who have had an exceptional season. They are a good side with some really good players and it’s tough to play against them. Like the last time we were here, we caused them a lot of problems, though, and that’s testament to the performance the players produced.”

“We wanted to come here and take something. We have been brave with our choices in terms of personnel and how we tried to play the game, recognising that Rangers would cause us problems at times. It was fine margins.”

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