Exclusive: Keith Hackett reacts to Hibs red card controversy vs Ayr United
Hibernian midfielder Nectarios Triantis was close to being sent off inside a minute in his side’s Scottish Cup win over Ayr United, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Kevin Clancy may just have made the right decision by booking the Australian rather than sending him off.
Hibernian travelled to Somerset Park to face their Championship opponents in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on Friday night.
Less than a minute into the game, Scott Brown‘s hosts felt their Premiership level visitors ought to have been down to ten men.
While Hibernian have seen players on the wrong end of some heavy challenges this season, on this occasion it was one of their stars who came under scrutiny.
Keith Hackett reacts to Hibernian red card scare
With just 46 seconds on the clock, Triantis produced a strong, fast-moving challenge which saw him dive in with two feet on Ayr midfielder Connor McLennan as the pair competed for the ball.
That led to Clancy showing a yellow card to the Hibernian man, to the frustration of Ayr, who felt the Australia international should have been sent off, although Hackett just about agrees with the decision.
Giving his verdict on the incident, the former referee told Football Insider:
“I think that’s a really close call. I’m not giving a red for it. I think the referee’s judged that about right. I think there’s an element of doubt about the lack of force, I don’t the clarity of the landing area.
“So I think that the referee’s given him the benefit of the doubt, it’s that close. So on this one, I’m supporting the referee. On the face of it the referee’s made the right call.”
Nectarios Triantis relieved over red card call
Had he been sent off so early in the game, Triantis would have left his teammates vulnerable to a cup upset at lower league Ayr.
As it was, the Scottish Premiership side were able to secure victory thanks to a late goal from Rocky Bushiri, those avoiding embarassment.
That will be a relief for Triantis, after he previously found himself involved in another comical moment as Hibernian were beaten at Rangers last season.