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By Gary Keown Four sent off in derby chaos at Tynecastle

HIBERNIAN boss Lee Johnson last night fired a withering blast at Hearts rival Steven Naismith after an explosive Edinburgh derby that saw four people sent off in the tunnel after the game.

In developments late last night, the Easter Road club also called for Tynecastle chiefs to take action against a home supporter who allegedly struck visiting substitute Marijan Cabraja as he attempted to retrieve the ball in front of the Wheatfield Stand.

Naismith’s side dug out a 1-1

draw in Gorgie to finish fourth and secure Europe after seeing Alex Cochrane red-carded in the first half and there were chaotic scenes at time-up with fights breaking out between both squads on the pitch.

The flare-up started when Johnson and Naismith’s post-match handshake ended up a pushing match and resulted in referee Don Robertson sending off Johnson, Hearts goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher, Tynecastle reserve keeper Ross Stewart and Hibs substitute Rocky Bushiri.

Johnson, who was booked towards the end in a dugout spat that saw a hot water bottle thrown on the pitch, then came out after the final whistle to admit he doesn’t like Tynecastle interim head coach Naismith and express the view that he has been

hugely disrespectful to former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson.

‘It was a classic “my dad’s bigger than your dad” melee-type thing,’ said Johnson, when quizzed about the full-time maelstrom.

‘It was a case of two managers who don’t like each other very much and that’s what started it. I’ll keep the hot water bottle that was thrown at me for winter!

‘There was a bit of needle but it happens. Technical areas are a passionate place. It’s not a problem, we move on.

‘I’ve been a manager that long that you see it all in the technical area. It means nothing.

‘I’ve no idea if any players were carded afterwards. I just wanted to get over and clap our fans.

‘He (Naismith) has had seven games as a manager and I just think the way he speaks is disrespectful to the previous manager. We’ll see after 250 games if he’s lucky enough to still be in charge of any club, and if he still has that attitude.’

Naismith, however, was quick to hit back at Johnson’s accusations.

‘He’s fishing, I think. That’s what he’s doing,’ said Naismith.

‘As he said, the touchline is a manic place, or whatever it may be that he said.

‘I had to watch. I was one yellow away from getting a suspension already, so I wasn’t involved. I was shaking hands and getting out of there.

‘I know these situations can turn into things, especially in a derby with high emotions, but I was just buzzing to get the result and enjoy it with the fans.

‘I’ve got a 15-year career at the top level. I’ve managed to pull things from some of the best managers around Britain.

‘I’ve been in a role for the last two years under arguably Scotland’s best manager for a long period of time.

‘I’m not naïve to think I know everything, but what I have done is my homework. I’ve had two solid years of good coaching.’

Hibs, meanwhile, released a statement demanding action over the incident involving Cabraja in the second half.

It read: ‘During our 1-1 draw in the cinch Premiership at Tynecastle, there were a number of incidents, but undoubtedly the most worrying relates to player safety and spectator involvement.

‘During the second half, when Marijan Cabraja went to retrieve a ball to take a throw-in in front of the Wheatfield Stand, he was confronted by several supporters before he was struck by a spectator.

‘We have shared images, which are clear and conclusive, with senior officials at Hearts and have urged the club to investigate this immediately.

‘This type of behaviour by a supporter of any club is abhorrent. We are awaiting a response from Hearts regarding this incident, so that the individual can be detected and the severest of sanctions taken against him.’

Hibs manager Johnson also found it impossible to avoid mentioning Hearts’ timewasting.

‘It was a frustrating game in terms of the ebb and the flow — because there was no flow,’ he said.

‘The time-wasting was quite embarrassing at times.’

Football

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2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

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