Scott Brown was left perturbed by the fourth official as he blasted him for being the ‘centre of attention’ during Ayr United’s Scottish Cup loss to Hibs.
Rocky Bushiri was the match winner on the night as his 87th minute header gave Hibs a 1-0 victory over Ayr at Somerset Park.
Ayr battled well and made life difficult for Hibs, who spurned a number of glorious chances to make the night a little easier for themselves.
Brown was unhappy with the number of bookings flashed by on-field referee Kevin Clancy, with Ayr stars Scott McMann, George Oakley and Marco Rus all given yellow cards.
But the Ayr boss was more peeved by the man patrolling the technical area and aimed a pointed jibe at the fourth official, who Brown thinks made the game worse for him.
Brown blasts Ayr United vs Hibs fourth official
Asked by the BBC if he was unhappy with a few of the decisions during the cup tie, Brown replied: “Yeah, there was not a bad tackle in the game and there was a lot of bookings for silly decisions made by the referee, but also the fourth official as well.
“It’s actually a better game without a fourth official where you can have a bit of a chat between yourself instead of him making him the centre of attention like they always do.”
Reflecting on the 1-0 defeat and his team’s display, Brown said: “Take nothing away from Hibs, they are a top quality team with some great players. You can see our lads had a little bit of fatigue at the end – we’ve worked so hard.
“We’ve kind of gave Hibs a really, really good game especially here at home and there was not much in the game, if I’m honest.
“We’ve probably had one more shot than them on target. But they score a goal and we don’t, they’re in the next round and it’s part and parcel of the game.
“But I’m proud of the lads today. The second-half performance was much better, we controlled the game a little bit better than what we did in the first-half.
“We panicked a little bit and went a little more direct, but second-half we were more calmer on the ball.”
Gray hails Hibs stars Rocky Bushiri & Jordan Smith
Victorious Hibs boss David Gray also gave his thoughts to the BBC after the game and praised Hibs stars Rocky Bushiri and Jordan Smith for their huge contributions in Ayrshire.
Gray said of goal hero Bushiri: “He’s been outstanding. He’s been someone I’ve praised a lot recently, not just because of how he’s played, but how he’s been as a person at the football club.
“The start of the season, he wasn’t getting the game time he would have liked, he had to be really patient.
“But at the same time whilst you’re being patient, you’re frustrated as you’re not winning games and he felt he could have been adding to the squad.
“But he trained properly every day and his level of professionalism is why he was given the nod to step back in. He’s played at a very good level and since he’s came back into the team, he’s been outstanding.
“He’s a real leader at the back there which is great to see.”
Smith has nailed down the No.1 jersey at Hibs after previously playing second fiddle to on loan Club Brugge goalkeeper Josef Bursik.
Bursik was dropped after a string of poor displays and Smith has managed to stay between the sticks ever since.
Smith made two massive saves towards the end of the game and Gray gave him a glowing appraisal.
The Hibs boss said: “He’s been brilliant. You know, a lot was said about the run we were on previously. Smudge had to be really patient and wait for his opportunity as well.
“Obviously he was put in and made a mistake in his first game as well. A lot was made when he was put in but he’s played at a really high level, an experienced boy but also really calm every single day and brilliant around the group.
“He’s took his opportunity and done incredibly well and that’s all part of how he’s prepared and the level he’s managed to get to and he’s getting the rewards of that now and he’s putting in great performances which is great.”