Alan Stubbs ‘doesn’t condone’ Fyvie behaviour

Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs has made it clear that he does not want to see his players trying to cheat officials.

Fraser Fyvie, left, holds his head as Rangers' Andy Halliday is sent off. Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA Wire

He spoke out after Fraser Fyvie was caught by television cameras feigning a facial injury despite being barged in the shoulder during a confrontation with Rangers’ Andy Halliday in Monday’s Championship clash. Halliday was sent off.

The Hibs boss had initially backed Fyvie but, having watched key incidents again, he was more reticent and revealed he had spoken to his player.

“I don’t condone either player’s actions,” he said when asked about the possibility of retrospective action being taken by the football authorities. “Could they have dealt with it better? Of course they could. There were things that happened for that reaction before they even got there. Two players came together and what will be will be.

“I’ve spoken to Fraser about it, not in a detrimental way, but I don’t want to see anyone do anything which could possibly lead to something else.

“It’s not something I would want my players to do. It’s the same as going down in the penalty box or even anywhere else on the pitch. I don’t like that side of football and to be honest I don’t think you see my players doing that an awful lot.

“It happens in football and sometimes people have the perception that if you can’t beat them, join them. That’s not my perception. I want us to do things right on and off the pitch and if there’s no contact then I hope Andrew gets off with it.”

Stubbs added: “I think what was said between me and Fraser has to stay private – but if Andy gets off with it then fine, good luck to him.

“But I don’t think Fraser would react like that again. Listen, it’s the heat of the game, there’s a lot riding on it so sometimes you do get reactions. Andy Halliday had a reaction and Fraser’s had a reaction. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I’m just not going to lay the blame on one. I think both of them could have controlled their emotions better.”

Rangers won the match 4-2 and now hold a three-point lead over Hibs and Falkirk at the top of the Championship.